Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

There’s the potential to do the same for women’s football as they’ve done for men’s football in Auckland. The chance was there to launch off the back of their great men’s season. Maybe the chance will be the same next season.

As for what requirements there are on owners are in their contracts with the league. However, you look at the effort round the league to keep the women’s league going and there’s plenty of it. You feel there’s an implicit responsibility to have women’s football, if not an explicit one.

So a hypothetical, if as all the business consultants in this thread agree, they don’t want to do it because it will lose money, can a different entity come in to run the women’s team? Surely that’d be embarrassing for the most cashed up owners in the league? I don’t think it’s simply that they’d be losing cash.

Most likely it’s not the cash, it’s the mess at APL, with different interests involved, 2 of whom are suing them currently! 

All we know is it’s not happening this season, and there’s no rumours about next year yet.

Why would that worry you? Danny Hay taking over.

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Are all of the episodes on Sky? I tried to record the series last night but couldn’t watched it live though

chopah

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Was gonna say I'm 6 episodes in and there is far too much Danny Hay.

Napier Phoenix

Are all of the episodes on Sky? I tried to record the series last night but couldn’t watched it live though

chopah

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Was gonna say I'm 6 episodes in and there is far too much Danny Hay.

See my comment in the SkyTV thread.  I couldn't record it on one channel but could setup series link on another channel

martinb

There’s the potential to do the same for women’s football as they’ve done for men’s football in Auckland. The chance was there to launch off the back of their great men’s season. Maybe the chance will be the same next season.

As for what requirements there are on owners are in their contracts with the league. However, you look at the effort round the league to keep the women’s league going and there’s plenty of it. You feel there’s an implicit responsibility to have women’s football, if not an explicit one.

So a hypothetical, if as all the business consultants in this thread agree, they don’t want to do it because it will lose money, can a different entity come in to run the women’s team? Surely that’d be embarrassing for the most cashed up owners in the league? I don’t think it’s simply that they’d be losing cash.

Most likely it’s not the cash, it’s the mess at APL, with different interests involved, 2 of whom are suing them currently! 

All we know is it’s not happening this season, and there’s no rumours about next year yet.

It's already been confirmed it won't happen next season either, they won't have a women's team until 27/28

Under which group is the sky thread please?

reubee

Napier Phoenix

Are all of the episodes on Sky? I tried to record the series last night but couldn’t watched it live though

chopah

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Was gonna say I'm 6 episodes in and there is far too much Danny Hay.

See my comment in the SkyTV thread.  I couldn't record it on one channel but could setup series link on another channel

Found the thread but I can’t record series on Open either. Donyou have the new white box?

reubee

Napier Phoenix

Are all of the episodes on Sky? I tried to record the series last night but couldn’t watched it live though

chopah

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Was gonna say I'm 6 episodes in and there is far too much Danny Hay.

See my comment in the SkyTV thread.  I couldn't record it on one channel but could setup series link on another channel

theprof

MetalLegNZ

He's a business man, it's not his job to grow woman's football in NZ.

NZF in general has already benefited from what he's done at AFC.

People complaining need a dose of reality.

Again, not suggesting anything of the sort - more just pointing out the promises made being broken - personally I don't care either way, as AFC are not my tam so whether they have a women's team or not has no bearing on my life. But, I keep abreast of the league's comings and goings and can see why the women wanting as team in Auckland could feel a little peeved when the see their owner buying another team just after bumping their future team back a few years.

AFC and Foley have not broken any promises based on things they have control of - this is an APL call - I know because I have been in the APL meetings so why should Foley not buy any other teams with his money while he waits for the APL to allow him entry into the women's league?

Napier Phoenix

Found the thread but I can’t record series on Open either. Donyou have the new white box?

reubee

Napier Phoenix

Are all of the episodes on Sky? I tried to record the series last night but couldn’t watched it live though

chopah

AucklandPhoenix

Well first episode in of the AFC series.

Dick of the week has to go to Danny Hay. Sounds and acts like a little kid.

Hope when Corica moves on that he does not inherit the throne.

Was gonna say I'm 6 episodes in and there is far too much Danny Hay.

See my comment in the SkyTV thread.  I couldn't record it on one channel but could setup series link on another channel

On the sky pod last night I was able to get the entire season - I only lasted 6 episodes of Danny bulling people on screen.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Auckland FC have dropped their new home and away kits for the 25/26 season 🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/vr6bk5Q7eY

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) August 28, 2025

Auckland FC have revealed their home and away shirts

Home kit, looks a lot more classy than the first year. 

Away kit, looks like the NZ cricket team with a dress collar.

AucklandPhoenix

Home kit, looks a lot more classy than the first year. 

Away kit, looks like the NZ cricket team with a dress collar.

ANZ as the shirt sponsor doesnt help with the cricket vibe.

Their home kit this season is so much better. I hated their first one.

It is annoying to me that AFC are sensible for again using a white away shirt, to help them not overheat while playing in the Australian summer, but the Phoenix will probably keep on being retarded and playing in black over there. 

Prefer last seasons stripe kit. 

Doco is gold. Just engaging you - like it or hate it - its engaging. 

Wellington need an answer as all the momentum is up north on and off the pitch and the Girls Nix is awesome and great to see but the men are the headline asset. 

I do like the clip of Hay giving chiefy some.. to be fair chiefy did deserve that..    chiefy was very amateur 

AucklandPhoenix

Home kit, looks a lot more classy than the first year. 

Away kit, looks like the NZ cricket team with a dress collar.

Could be a good omen for us at least. If they've got a shirt like the NZ test cricket team and play anything like the NZ test cricket team, the one thing it means is they'll be losing against the Australian sides. 

That polo which i thought was the kit is actually better looking than the kit.

You mean the clip where you couldn’t see them shot inside the tunnels of the stadium and there was just dialogue?Are you sure that was Hay, I was certain that it was Corica

JasperNix

Prefer last seasons stripe kit. 

Doco is gold. Just engaging you - like it or hate it - its engaging. 

Wellington need an answer as all the momentum is up north on and off the pitch and the Girls Nix is awesome and great to see but the men are the headline asset. 

I dis like the clip of Hay giving chiefy some.. to be fair chiefy did deserve that..it was very amateur 

Doco was pretty decent, some random thoughts...

Makes you even more aware of the gulf between the two clubs though, in money, staff, players etc.

Agree with a lot of the above.

Think you missed De Vries, definitely in the Sakai nice guy camp. He seems a smart chap as well.

Brimmer seems a bit of a tortured soul but behind the intensity, a decent chap. 

Think McFlynn also came across a lot better then I initially envisaged 

Bank with ANZ.  Love my mcds.  But love my calciyums just as much.  where’s Anchor ⚓️?

Like the home kit.  Away: Not the biggest polo collar on a football shirt fan.  but some ppl will prefer the opposite.

Half a Pint

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Auckland FC have dropped their new home and away kits for the 25/26 season 🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/vr6bk5Q7eY

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) August 28, 2025

Auckland FC have revealed their home and away shirts

If you’re overseas….how can we watch this?

Dougie Rydal

Doco was pretty decent, some random thoughts...

• Woud comes across as a complete Twit.
• Toomey has 'black book' of Wellington staff and players that he wanted to stick one up, so talks that up.
• Corica comes across well
• Hay less so, although he didn't grate me as much by the end
• Sakai appears to be an extremely nice man
• Williams and Mowbray, seem like entitled rich people (which they are), Williams has quite an emotional moment about his dad, but they're passionate owners if not particularly well versed in football .
• Nice piece on the (co?)founder of 'The Port' Johnno Ross, who was a NZ underage keeper until a car crash left him in a wheelchair.
• There's a lot of Paulsen in it.
• The derby bits are a tough watch
• Piney (video and audio) and Bonnie Jansen (audio) feature a lot
• Bit of a hit job on Chiefy at times
• I can't quite take to  Nick Becker 

Makes you even more aware of the gulf between the two clubs though, in money, staff, players etc.

I think that away kit, may turn into a de facto cricket supporters kit as well. Like the Port stole Steady the Ship, Kane Williamson’s hat as their own, test cricket fans can steal this shirt.

I think that away kit, may turn into a de facto cricket supporters kit as well. Like the port stole Steady the Ship, Kane Williamson’s hat as their own, test cricket fans can steal this shirt.

Banzai!...AIEEE!!!

Bank with ANZ.  Love my mcds.  But love my calciyums just as much.  where’s Anchor ⚓️?

Like the home kit.  Away: Not the biggest polo collar on a football shirt fan.  but some ppl will prefer the opposite.

Half a Pint

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Auckland FC have dropped their new home and away kits for the 25/26 season 🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/vr6bk5Q7eY

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) August 28, 2025

Auckland FC have revealed their home and away shirts

Anchor will be on the back of the shirt below the number (where we have the Chemist Warehouse sponsor) - essentially ANZ and Anchor have swapped spots this year

100% it was Hay- and i made a typo i meant i “do” like rather rhan “dis” like. 

AucklandPhoenix

You mean the clip where you couldn’t see them shot inside the tunnels of the stadium and there was just dialogue?Are you sure that was Hay, I was certain that it was Corica

JasperNix

Prefer last seasons stripe kit. 

Doco is gold. Just engaging you - like it or hate it - its engaging. 

Wellington need an answer as all the momentum is up north on and off the pitch and the Girls Nix is awesome and great to see but the men are the headline asset. 

I dis like the clip of Hay giving chiefy some.. to be fair chiefy did deserve that..it was very amateur 

Dougie Rydal

Doco was pretty decent, some random thoughts...

• Woud comes across as a complete Twit.
• Toomey has 'black book' of Wellington staff and players that he wanted to stick one up, so talks that up.
• Corica comes across well
• Hay less so, although he didn't grate me as much by the end
• Sakai appears to be an extremely nice man
• Williams and Mowbray, seem like entitled rich people (which they are), Williams has quite an emotional moment about his dad, but they're passionate owners if not particularly well versed in football .
• Nice piece on the (co?)founder of 'The Port' Johnno Ross, who was a NZ underage keeper until a car crash left him in a wheelchair.
• There's a lot of Paulsen in it.
• The derby bits are a tough watch
• Piney (video and audio) and Bonnie Jansen (audio) feature a lot
• Bit of a hit job on Chiefy at times
• I can't quite take to  Nick Becker 

Makes you even more aware of the gulf between the two clubs though, in money, staff, players etc.

 Spoiler alert, some of us are going to watch it one episode at a time

AucklandPhoenix

Agree with a lot of the above.

Think you missed De Vries, definitely in the Sakai nice guy camp. He seems a smart chap as well.

Brimmer seems a bit of a tortured soul but behind the intensity, a decent chap. 

Think McFlynn also came across a lot better then I initially envisaged 

Yes I missed De Vries, definitely a clever guy, interesting all of them - owners (Williams/Mowbray/Foley) and the coaching staff all said his name when asked 'who surprised you the most this season?'

Not sure if Brimmer is married as his kept mentioning his was missing his dad and his kids, and dedicated the premiers plate to 'my dad and my kids'. If he is married, he'll probably be getting an uppercut - lol

McFlynn I didn't think was featured much, Gould looked to be the clown among the coaching staff. And they all took the piss out of the trainer who was featured a lot too.

All 8 eps are on SkySportNow and the first Ep is on You Tube.

Brimmer is seperated from the mother of his kids, who are yes in Aussie.
Think he is now engaged to his current partner.

Brimmer got married 9 weeks ago, it was on his Insta and shared by aleagues Insta at the time 

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

 
They showed up a lot of people on here who completely wrote off both Corica and the general playing squad before a ball was kicked.

You won't acknowledge that though.

Buffon II

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

 
They showed up a lot of people on here who completely wrote off both Corica and the general playing squad before a ball was kicked.

You won't acknowledge that though.

yeah, they certainly at every opportunity made a point of posting a lot of random social media posts to try and create this narrative - even from stuff not football related re Mowbary/Williams. 

tbf, more likely the direction of the documentary and not the club - who often were very bullish.

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

ballane

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

they have enough financial backing without Foley to be still one of the wealthiest clubs - though would miss out on the benefits of multi club ownership if that were to fall away.

ballane

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

Their average crowd last season was 18K (not sure if that includes their sold out semi). SFC next at 15K, VUC 13K & Adelaide 11K.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/a-league-men/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/AUS1/saison_id/2024

Worse case scenario I'd say is av crowds drop to 10K (so a big 40% drop), with a bad season plus loss of new coolest thing in town vibe. That's still a good av crowd size by ALM standards. The Port will be there for good, and help ensure it's a fun day out for the casuals by comparison to the dullness of rugby games.

Nix fans just need to acknowledge they have been an on & off field success, and are here to stay. No bad thing for the league as a whole. When the Nix do finally get a derby win or two, and make it a competitive rivalry we will all be thankful there is a 2nd NZ team in the comp.

coochiee

ballane

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

Their average crowd last season was 18K (not sure if that includes their sold out semi). SFC next at 15K, VUC 13K & Adelaide 11K.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/a-league-men/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/AUS1/saison_id/2024

Worse case scenario I'd say is av crowds drop to 10K (so a big 40% drop), with a bad season plus loss of new coolest thing in town vibe. That's still a good av crowd size by ALM standards. The Port will be there for good, and help ensure it's a fun day out for the casuals by comparison to the dullness of rugby games.

Nix fans just need to acknowledge they have been an on & off field success, and are here to stay. No bad thing for the league as a whole. When the Nix do finally get a derby win or two, and make it a competitive rivalry we will all be thankful there is a 2nd NZ team in the comp.

yeah, I don't think the port are going to do a rbb/north terrace.

coochiee

ballane

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

Their average crowd last season was 18K (not sure if that includes their sold out semi). SFC next at 15K, VUC 13K & Adelaide 11K.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/a-league-men/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/AUS1/saison_id/2024

Worse case scenario I'd say is av crowds drop to 10K (so a big 40% drop), with a bad season plus loss of new coolest thing in town vibe. That's still a good av crowd size by ALM standards. The Port will be there for good, and help ensure it's a fun day out for the casuals by comparison to the dullness of rugby games.

Nix fans just need to acknowledge they have been an on & off field success, and are here to stay. No bad thing for the league as a whole. When the Nix do finally get a derby win or two, and make it a competitive rivalry we will all be thankful there is a 2nd NZ team in the comp.

Think the first sentence of your last paragraph is particularly true. I've not met one that doesn't though in fairness. They've had a lot go their way, but you also create your own luck when things are going positively and there's a general feel good factor. Nix still feel like they're a bit lost at sea and nothing I've seen this summer really counters that, but I'm trying to be optimistic about the season or, what's the point? On "vibes" it feels like we're miles away from them. A cheeky result in a derby though and who knows?

Do I like anything about the black knights? No. Do I acknowledge that they've achieved something the nix haven't yet? Absolutely. 

First international callup to the Maltese national team for Jake Brimmer.

Australian-born @fc_auckland midfielder and former Liverpool youngster Jake Brimmer has been called up by Malta for the first time after switching his international allegiance. pic.twitter.com/HSkYRsGiOU

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) August 28, 2025

If your not paid to call them the " Blank kites " please do'nt ...

WanderingSheep

coochiee

ballane

Mainland FC

Bullion

Only a few minutes in but the theme so far is "rubbing peoples nose into it". Seems all rather precious. "We'll show them!" says the multi billionaire and multi millionaire owners with access to a multi club infrastructure.

Well, over their first season, they certainly have.
Let's see if this stays a long-term project, or if the local interest will peak after a mediocre season (as a rule there has to be one sooner or later)

Think Foley is in it for the long term he is trying to build a Global sporting empire and is well on the way. The test will come when he is no longer around and if his heirs continue on with his aims.
The other test will come when they have the inevitable bad season  and if the hangers on stick around at the moment it seems to be the in thing.

Their average crowd last season was 18K (not sure if that includes their sold out semi). SFC next at 15K, VUC 13K & Adelaide 11K.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/a-league-men/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/AUS1/saison_id/2024

Worse case scenario I'd say is av crowds drop to 10K (so a big 40% drop), with a bad season plus loss of new coolest thing in town vibe. That's still a good av crowd size by ALM standards. The Port will be there for good, and help ensure it's a fun day out for the casuals by comparison to the dullness of rugby games.

Nix fans just need to acknowledge they have been an on & off field success, and are here to stay. No bad thing for the league as a whole. When the Nix do finally get a derby win or two, and make it a competitive rivalry we will all be thankful there is a 2nd NZ team in the comp.

Think the first sentence of your last paragraph is particularly true. I've not met one that doesn't though in fairness. They've had a lot go their way, but you also create your own luck when things are going positively and there's a general feel good factor. Nix still feel like they're a bit lost at sea and nothing I've seen this summer really counters that, but I'm trying to be optimistic about the season or, what's the point? On "vibes" it feels like we're miles away from them. A cheeky result in a derby though and who knows?

Do I like anything about the black knights? No. Do I acknowledge that they've achieved something the nix haven't yet? Absolutely.