Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

That’s true, but also the Nix averaged around 11,000 in their first season. 

It’s not a slight dude. It’d be impressive if Auckland can grow their attendances, and there’s definitely a good market to target up there, but it’d be unusual as well. 

Guess we’ll see who your marquee is after Sakai! 

martinb

chopah

Doloras

Nommag

Must be horrific flooding in Auckland. They top of the table and there are big gaps in the stand.

You'd better believe it. I didn't go because I feared a repetition of the "Splish Splash Show" as at the last Newcastle home game.

They might be top of the table but on recent form the wheels are falling off big time, and that won't help attendances either

massively dramatic there.

EDIT: Not the fear of the rain - the wheels coming off bit.

You’ve read her prose style before, right? 

But also, the Nix’s highest season average attendance is still the first one iirc. There’s a novelty factor and in your case a long honeymoon period, but this is really your first blip longer than 2 games right? Guess it’ll probably settle to a core at some point. 

It’s a pity Western Springs couldn’t go ahead. A nice 15k to 20k seater would rock and also create some scarcity. 

I might be in the minority but Go Media stadium is all good - perfect size - perhaps in the future a roof (could be temp) for GA so the port has some help with noise production.

martinb

That’s true, but also the Nix averaged around 11,000 in their first season. 

It’s not a slight dude. It’d be impressive if Auckland can grow their attendances, and there’s definitely a good market to target up there, but it’d be unusual as well. 

Guess we’ll see who your marquee is after Sakai! 

But that 2007/08 season average crowds were way higher than now across the board

MVC | 260,642 | 26,064
QLD | 222,677 | 18,556
SYD | 203,557 | 16,963
CCM | 182,848 | 15,237
NEW | 184,284 | 14,176
ADL | 126,966 | 12,697
WEL | 116,831 | 11,683
PER | 83,557 | 7,596

Not sure if those end of season total & av stats are inflated a bit by finals crowds. Probably 

But in summary ALM crowds are way down over the league compared to 18 seasons ago, making AFC’s crowds on the whole a rare current good news story for the comp

Was that the season where there was a free game if you brought a ticket for the LA Galaxy exhibition match?

AucklandPhoenix

Was that the season where there was a free game if you brought a ticket for the LA Galaxy exhibition match?

yes, 19k for that game against Adl I recall.

coochiee

martinb

That’s true, but also the Nix averaged around 11,000 in their first season. 

It’s not a slight dude. It’d be impressive if Auckland can grow their attendances, and there’s definitely a good market to target up there, but it’d be unusual as well. 

Guess we’ll see who your marquee is after Sakai! 

But that 2007/08 season average crowds were way higher than now across the board

MVC | 260,642 | 26,064
QLD | 222,677 | 18,556
SYD | 203,557 | 16,963
CCM | 182,848 | 15,237
NEW | 184,284 | 14,176
ADL | 126,966 | 12,697
WEL | 116,831 | 11,683
PER | 83,557 | 7,596

Not sure if those end of season total & av stats are inflated a bit by finals crowds. Probably 

But in summary ALM crowds are way down over the league compared to 18 seasons ago, making AFC’s crowds on the whole a rare current good news story for the comp

Oh for sure. 
The trend I was commenting on is that there’s often drop off after the novelty of the first season and that would be normal. 

I'm interested to see if Corica would start Sail next game.

Safire

I'm interested to see if Corica would start Sail next game.

I'd be shocked if he didn't, though it's likely a decision made by Jonathan Gould as much as Corica. 

But Sail would be one of the more expensive/experienced backup keepers in the ALM. So surely you play him now if your starting keeper is consistently costing you points. 

Buffon II

I don't understand how a professional goalkeeper makes that mistake.

Blame Ed Sheeran.

That end of the pitch was cut-up rectangles and players were uncertain in it all game.

In the sequence of play for the goal, the CCM player miskicked a corner, then miskicked the cross after the ball that came back to him, and Woud got done by the bounce.  Really needed an Ashes style graphic showing how much ball deviated.

Having said that Woud was off all game, he was out of position for the first goal, a number of kicks did not go where intended, the only good thing he did was one huge  throw that set Randall up on the break.

Doloras

Nommag

Must be horrific flooding in Auckland. They top of the table and there are big gaps in the stand.

You'd better believe it. I didn't go because I feared a repetition of the "Splish Splash Show" as at the last Newcastle home game.

They might be top of the table but on recent form the wheels are falling off big time, and that won't help attendances either

There was a noticeable absence of parents and small children.  The sandpit was practically empty at kick-off, the bank hardly had anyone.  I think the weather has an impact on that demographic of attendance.

reubee

Buffon II

I don't understand how a professional goalkeeper makes that mistake.

Blame Ed Sheeran.

That end of the pitch was cut-up rectangles and players were uncertain in it all game.

In the sequence of play for the goal, the CCM player miskicked a corner, then miskicked the cross after the ball that came back to him, and Woud got done by the bounce.  Really needed an Ashes style graphic showing how much ball deviated.

Having said that Woud was off all game, he was out of position for the first goal, a number of kicks did not go where intended, the only good thing he did was one huge  throw that set Randall up on the break.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/27/former-all-white-shane-smeltz-recalls-memories-of-phoenix-and-world-cup/

The Unused Subs show has delivered a packed episode this week, featuring Wellington Phoenix original and former All Whites striker Shane Smeltz as the headline guest.

Before Smeltz’s appearance, the panel analysed Michael Woud’s late error against Central Coast Mariners and debated whether Oli Sail should replace him for Auckland FC.

Could Sail's AFC debut be back at HBF Park?


Perth Glory v Auckland FC
Saturday, January 31 – HBF Park – 9:45pm AEDT

Perth Glory Squad:
2.Charbel SHAMOON, 3.Sam SUTTON, 4.Scott WOOTTON, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 10.Luke AMOS, 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 18.Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 20.Trent OSTLER, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 24.Andriano LEBIB, 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 27.Will FRENEY, 29.Matt SUTTON (gk), 34.Tom LAWRENCE, 39.Giovanni DE ABREU, 40.Ryan WARNER (gk), 45.Brian KALTAK, 67.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 10.Luke AMOS, 24.Andriano LEBIB
Outs: None
Unavailable: 5.Riley FOXE (injured), 6.Brandon O’NEILL (injured), 8.Callum TIMMINS (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (gk) (injured), 31.Joel ANASMO (injured)

Auckland FC Squad: 
1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 77. LACHLAN Brook

if Corica was angry enough at Woud then Sail will be starting. He pretty much said so in his press comments.

Trump acolytes team handed their arse in a hat , oh dear , how sad , nevermind...good news for Randall though ...! 

IMG_2608.jpeg 35.71 KB

Staying up till 2am only to watch your team lose to a heart breaker in the 90th 

Have to feel for Sail. Finally gets his chance and ends up injured.

Sail did very well until his injury, feel for him and hopefully it's not too serious...

Woud again should have come out for the first goal but chose to be a statue

ooooof down to third!
shame for Sail, he had his chance to get back to #1 in the pecking order, assuming that's his season done it will be interesting to se what Corica does with the GK spot, does he go back to Woud? or does he bring in their #3 Knowles?

theprof

ooooof down to third!
shame for Sail, he had his chance to get back to #1 in the pecking order, assuming that's his season done it will be interesting to se what Corica does with the GK spot, does he go back to Woud? or does he bring in their #3 Knowles?

Is Knowles still injured? If so I'd imagine they'd dip into their Pro League squad and bring Oscar Mason across. 

Ouch. Just saw Oli's injury. He appeared to roll his left foot which with the momentum did his knee. I genuinely feel sorry for him and hope he makes a return. He was having a very good game until that point.

Woud is unfortunately a despicable goalkeeper, and it showed again once he came on. At fault for the first goal IMO as he stood there wide-eyed when he should really be smothering that ball. Second goal came very close to him in the centre of the goal; can't gauge whether he should have reacted faster, as I don't particularly want to rewatch it...

Zero saves, four goals conceded in his last two games (110 minutes).

mrsmiis

Woud is unfortunately a despicable goalkeeper, and it showed again once he came on. At fault for the first goal IMO as he stood there wide-eyed when he should really be smothering that ball. Second goal came very close to him in the centre of the goal; can't gauge whether he should have reacted faster, as I don't particularly want to rewatch it...

Zero saves, four goals conceded in his last two games (110 minutes).

worst in the league for goals prevented (conceding more goals than expected):
https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/113/stats/season/27536/players/_goals_prevented


2nd worst for save percentage:
https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/113/stats/season/27536/players/_save_percentage/league

He started well, but has come crashing back to the mean unfortunately for him. Can see Auckland looking elsewhere for a 1 going forward - Sail has been inconsistent enough that I'm not sure they'll be content with him either.

YoungHeartHM

theprof

ooooof down to third!
shame for Sail, he had his chance to get back to #1 in the pecking order, assuming that's his season done it will be interesting to se what Corica does with the GK spot, does he go back to Woud? or does he bring in their #3 Knowles?

Is Knowles still injured? If so I'd imagine they'd dip into their Pro League squad and bring Oscar Mason across. 

are players from OFC pro league allowed to play in Aleague? 

Yes, if they are under a certain age (23 maybe?), they can get called up to the senior team no problem 

but what about going back?

Yep, they can go back and forth

Be ironic if they asked for Paulsen back on loan as injury cover

Jessie Merino

Be ironic if they asked for Paulsen back on loan as injury cover

 I think I saw someone post that Paulsen played his first game since early Dec on the weekend, has be been injured or dropped out of the XI?

I feel I remember hearing he was injured but not 100% sure

Dougie Rydal

Jessie Merino

Be ironic if they asked for Paulsen back on loan as injury cover

 I think I saw someone post that Paulsen played his first game since early Dec on the weekend, has be been injured or dropped out of the XI?

Might be league winter break too

martinb

Might be league winter break too

He got injured back in Nov/Dec just prior the winter break and missed a few games. 
In goal for a 3-1 Gdansk win on the weekend as the Polish league restarted.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/02/02/auckland-fc-owners-complete-buyout-of-french-ligue-1-club-lorient/

Current portfolio

The latest transaction means BKFC’s interests include:
England: 100% ownership of English Premier League club Bournemouth.
New Zealand: 82% share in A-League club Auckland FC.
France: 100% stake in French Ligue 1 club FC Lorient.
Portugal: Majority stake in Primeira Liga club Moreirense Futebol.
Croatia: A reported 25% stake in top-tier Croatian club HNK Rijeka.
United States: A strategic partnership with Major League Soccer’s Orlando City.
Japan: A strategic partnership with J1 League club Kyoto Sanga.

With Sail's season unfortunately done, A-FC could arguably get an injury replacement No.1 keeper a little more consistent than Mr. Woud.
Might be a good time for the Nix to offer Eamonn a scholarship contract ASAP before A-FC gets any ideas. 

Watch Woud save his best Game of the season for the one against us.

He Woud if he coud!

Mainland FC

With Sail's season unfortunately done, A-FC could arguably get an injury replacement No.1 keeper a little more consistent than Mr. Woud.
Might be a good time for the Nix to offer Eamonn a scholarship contract ASAP before A-FC gets any ideas. 

I did find it a little odd the other week when I think it was Chiefy who said that 'Eamonn is the future of the club' yet the kid still doesn't have a contract...

AFC in danger of becoming ACD here, Auckland Christmas Decorations. Go up before christmas, come down in the new year

If we ever have a chance to get a result against A-FC in a derby, it will be in the one coming up. 

Auckland FC expand search to end goalkeeper shortage

Sail out for 6-7 months, according to Corica.