Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153436?newsfeedId=2064762

The partnership, which echoes a similar agreement with Wellington Phoenix, is a part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme designed to ensure that the professional player pathway is accessible for the best talent in the country and that there is strong alignment between professional club programmes and the player development work of federations and clubs throughout Aotearoa.

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell sees the huge potential of aligning talent development systems across the national body and two professional sides:

“Alongside the pride of playing a role in developing international and professional players, the international football system is designed to reward player development efforts at all levels, whether through solidarity payments arising from transfer fees or FIFA World Cup qualification.

“When the football system in New Zealand is working well, and in alignment, we have seen significant payments flow down to the community club level in recognition of their work. 

“This year, alongside our National Competitions plan, we will review the Talent Development Programme (TDP) delivered in our Dettol National League clubs to ensure it is fit for purpose and has strong alignment and connection with the professional club programmes.

“Auckland FC have made a big impact in their first A-League Men season and have partnered with the vast majority of the TDP clubs in the region which has really resonated with the football community.” 

Nick Becker, CEO at Auckland FC, said:

“Playing for your national team is one of the highest honours a player can experience and the dream of many. Thanks to this partnership, we’ll now be able to support more players in realising that dream.

“We have 18 Kiwi players, 11 of them with All Whites experience, and we’ve developed partnerships with nearly all the TDP clubs north of Tauranga.

“One of our founding missions as a club was to provide a pathway to support more young footballers to make it as professionals. This partnership supports that.

“New Zealand Football, Auckland FC, federations, and the TDP clubs are now all aligned, with clubs receiving support and recognition for the work they do in nurturing future talent and developing a love of the global game.”

The partnership is agreed for an initial two-year term and comes into effect immediately. 

coochiee

A coaching opportunity with Auckland ALW team?
If the side is to launch next season, must be some news happening soon.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/05/14/katie-duncan-steps-down-as-womens-head-coach-at-eastern-suburbs/

Former Football Fern Katie Duncan has decided to leave her role as women’s head coach at Auckland club Eastern Suburbs.

Duncan says the move has been prompted by “an exciting opportunity to work full-time in football.”

Moving to Western Springs to replace Maia Vink

https://aleagues.com.au/news/ins-outs-team-news-semi-final-leg-1-aleague-men-latest/

Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC
Saturday, May 17 – AAMI Park – 7.35pm AEST

Melbourne Victory squad:
4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Alexander BADOLATO, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS, 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI

Ins: 27. Reno PISCOPO (promoted)
Outs: 3. Adama TRAORE (injured)
Unavailable: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (injured)

Auckland FC squad:
1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Luis TOOMEY, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 25. Neyder MORENO, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS

(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 8. Luis TOOMEY, 14. Liam GILLION
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil

I have a feeling that Victory may have too much experiance for AFC over two playoff games. Its all new territory for Auckland. Obviously Corica is an experianced operator and will work to get AFC up to speed but Victory have been there done that many times already. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360688665/logan-rogerson-hit-league-men-dead-end-2018-now-hes-auckland-fc-star
AFC reigniting careers like he Nix have been doing for 18 years.

austin111

I have a feeling that Victory may have too much experiance for AFC over two playoff games. Its all new territory for Auckland. Obviously Corica is an experianced operator and will work to get AFC up to speed but Victory have been there done that many times already. 

I think that was certainly relevant when they beat the Nix this time last year

But far less relevant against Auckland who have experienced players all over the park, most have been in big games before. Arzani in red hot form but he has to get past the best defensive unit in the league

I see 0-0 or 1-1

Agree, while AFC have made a lot of noise of going for the win, I believe they will play five at the back and stack the midfield with their two imports and Brimmer, playing solely May and Rogerson up front. 

Has a low scoring draw all over it.

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360688665/logan-rogerson-hit-league-men-dead-end-2018-now-hes-auckland-fc-star
AFC reigniting careers like he Nix have been doing for 18 years.

No your mistaken this is the first time its ever happened in NZ. 😉

The world is a connected place.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/05/15/how-auckland-fc-recruited-key-players-for-their-inaugural-a-league-season/

Director of football Terry McFlynn and head of recruitment Doug Kors have explained how they tracked down and signed key imports Guillerme May and Luis Felipe Gallegos.

An important source of information was TransferRoom, an online platform that linked them to more than 800 football clubs and more than 500 player agencies in more than 60 countries.

“TransferRoom has been very supportive, right through the whole recruitment process,” McFlynn said.

One of five A-League clubs to subscribe to TransferRoom (others were Wellington Phoenix, Adelaide United, Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers), Auckland FC produced results quickly.

“We built out our squad and the connections we made through TransferRoom, whether that was directly to clubs, agents or both, (and it) was very useful in getting us to the point we’re at today,” McFlynn said.

“There’s probably contacts via the TransferRoom that we didn’t have internally. We do have a vast network of contacts within our football department, but as football is ever-evolving across the world, it’s important to stay at the forefront of evolution and make sure we’re at the forefront and getting access to the best talent if and when we can.”

“TransferRoom’s a bit like a Facebook marketplace for football players,” Kors told Row Z FC.

“It’s actually been really helpful because of the way the platform works. You have to get verified to be on it, so we’re actually dealing now directly with the agents of these players.

“In Guillermo May’s example, when he popped up, we actually said to the agent, ‘Can we speak to him soon?’ And we were on the phone in like 30 minutes, straight away. He had just finished a gym session and I spoke to him about why he wanted to come, and what his motivations were.

“So, for us with him, we used the data to understand that he fits our playing style. We then go deep on the video, not just what he was doing at his club, because what happened was, he was signed to a big club in Argentina.

“And the coach left. So he then was playing in a different position and not really playing. So we actually looked at what he was doing the year before that as well. To understand when he was playing as a striker, what his strengths were.”

Being part of the global Black Knights Football Group, with English Premier League club Bournemouth, helps too.

“And then the benefit for us, through Bournemouth, we have access to their scouting network. So we were actually able to speak to people in South America, who work for Bournemouth, and to get character reports on him (May).

"Being part of the global Black Knights Football Group, with English Premier League club Bournemouth, helps too.

“And then the benefit for us, through Bournemouth, we have access to their scouting network. So we were actually able to speak to people in South America, who work for Bournemouth, and to get character reports on him (May)."
This is something the Nix could do with. I'm sure we have contacts etc, but actually having the insight of an EPL club would be a massive advantage,

OK, So the Nix subscribe to Transferroom as well. They got May and Gallegos and we got the two Japanese players. At the end of the day it comes down to the clubs choice and how much money they can afford .

So according to the stuff article today, Scott Morris the former under 23 NZ goalkeeper, recently at Stoke is the replacement goalkeeper for Alex.

AucklandPhoenix

So according to the stuff article today, Scott Morris the former under 23 NZ goalkeeper, recently at Stoke is the replacement goalkeeper for Alex.

24 yr old Morris, good enough to push Woud, but you'd think likely this season's Auckland no 2, will get first chance post Paulsen to be the new no 1.

Saw a rumour Tzanev may have joined Auckland, but that would have tough on Woud, bringing in an older experienced guy, without an least giving Michael W first crack.

See that Mata is out of today's game. That reduce's the threat from FDV's crosses and long throws.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684617/auckland-fc-v-melbourne-victory-all-you-need-know-about-first-leg-league-men-semifinal

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

This should be a cracker of a game. If Auckland can overcome victory and city (both very good sides) it will be an impressive effort.

Rogerson, Francois and Randall all starting. Is one of them going to be playing #10 or as a striker? You cant have 3 wingers

Can’t believe that Randall and Francois are in that starting team. I assume that Randall will be the number 9.

Should have gone with Elliot and Brimmer. 

Big big call from the coach.

Think he has bottled that selection. 

Can we listen to the aussie commentary on sky? 

Any option to turn off Jason Pine?

He’s a shocker 

Superb sharkhousery - Auckland putting out towels around the pitch, wrapped in plastic to keep them dry for their long throws.

Cue the Melbourne Victory staffer walking around and picking them up to be disposed of. 😆

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Some truth in this. But presume the live site is at one of Foley's downtown bars, so a bit easier to setup.

AFC were on the backfoot for the first 15 mins but they really have got on top. Five of the last shots have come from Auckland. It seems most of the AFC attacks have gone down the left side. DV is having a good game but Francois is having problems with his accuracy and decision making. Corica will be the happier coach at half time but this is will be very tight. 

Lots of direct attacking play. Fitness will be a big factor in the second half, Auckland have had to work very hard to wrestle control back. Melbourne forwards are slick, but the defense has managed to smother them. Randall has been good, Pinjaker and Devries great, and Gallegas such a worker

AucklandPhoenix

Can’t believe that Randall and Francois are in that starting team. I assume that Randall will be the number 9.

Should have gone with Elliot and Brimmer. 

Big big call from the coach.

Think he has bottled that selection. 

When you’ve got 180 minutes and can always sub someone after the first 45 you can afford to be experimental. 

How’ve they been?

De Vries and Rogerson! 

Like Smeltzy back where it came from.

The site is in Taukati Square.. a public area within Auckland cbd

coochiee

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Some truth in this. But presume the live site is at one of Foley's downtown bars, so a bit easier to setup.

It would not have been that hard for the Nix to do last season, stop making excuses for poor club management and vision. Dome actually has to go.

coochiee

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Some truth in this. But presume the live site is at one of Foley's downtown bars, so a bit easier to setup.

 

Saturday night 2025 vs Sunday Mothers' Day 2024.

observerfromuh

It would not have been that hard for the Nix to do last season, stop making excuses for poor club management and vision. Dome actually has to go.

coochiee

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Some truth in this. But presume the live site is at one of Foley's downtown bars, so a bit easier to setup.

 

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Agree big time. It’s all the small things that add up, the Nix don’t try anything different. It’s all become very stale off the pitch. 

Different day of the week shouldn't matter.

If your defending it like that you are saying that Auckland has a more passionate fanbase, also most people do Mothers' Day stuff at lunch time and not at 6pm at night.

Auckland FC has beaten the Nix on most metrics since they were created besides pre-season friendlies (which the Nix probably had to bid for (Wrexham))

Dome was most saddened about Wellington not getting a big night out and not the fact that they lost the semifinal should tell every Nix fan what the clubs priorities are.

Also re-signing Chiefy (and not re-signing Kosta) proves that it isn't winning silverware.

Dome has to go, there's other things that also prove it.

wibbler

Saturday night 2025 vs Sunday Mothers' Day 2024.

observerfromuh

It would not have been that hard for the Nix to do last season, stop making excuses for poor club management and vision. Dome actually has to go.

coochiee

Nixieboys222

Auckland doing a live site in the cbd.. Nix probably didn’t even think of this.. It’s a little thing, but little things add up to big things. Yes, there is a on field difference of that impacts popularity. But AFC are bold, creative, and not afraid to try new things and want supporting their team an experience you’d recommend to others.. Not just to swear loyalty to just because

Some truth in this. But presume the live site is at one of Foley's downtown bars, so a bit easier to setup.

 

 

Auckland throughly deserved that win and should make the final from here.

Best team in the league.

Once again Auckland do something we have never. Won a semi final.

There’s only one thing left..

And first ever finals victory in Aussi by a kiwi team!!

Dome out because he didn’t try to take business away from Wellington’s desperate hospitality sector? O f-n k. 

How about a balloon with your special name on it, like Auckland do? Jaysus 

The club has been around for a while, but if we’re complaining because we’re not going through club owners and leadership like [insert metaphor here] f- me. We could be WSW. Haven’t won a finals game in 10 years. Or Sydney or Adelaide- all in alsorans. You’re not alone in your football team not being number one. 12 clubs are guna experience that this year.

You do realise that Western Sydney scored more goals than anyone else and made the finals right?

Not a bad team to watch and they play nice football. They were also favourites to beat Victory

Downtime Auckland have also done a good trade tonight

Jobs not done however. Shame that it hit the inside of two bloody posts!!

martinb

Dome out because he didn’t try to take business away from Wellington’s desperate hospitality sector? O f-n k. 

How about a balloon with your special name on it, like Auckland do? Jaysus 

The club has been around for a while, but if we’re complaining because we’re not going through club owners and leadership like [insert metaphor here] f- me. We could be WSW. Haven’t won a finals game in 10 years. Or Sydney or Adelaide- all in alsorans. You’re not alone in your football team not being number one. 12 clubs are guna experience that this year.

Those teams have actually you know… Won stuff.

Also if you’re such a keen fan, get involved. Suggest football at a cinema and try and get the club and the council and the owners signed up, getting the younger players in to watch away games so you’re not taking from 4 Kings. 

If the atmosphere isn’t there, get a new tshirt design done. Or get some prizes from the club for people wearing Nix shirts on Friday before game day. Remember LG gave out some of his own tickets randomly at one point. 

It’s NZ. It’s small. You want it to happen without two of the richest people in the country, initiate it suggest it follow it up.

Don’t blame Domey for running a club that hasn’t gone under.