Yet again the Auckland debate. Let's be honest on two counts.
1] Why did the two previous efforts of Auckland clubs in the Australian competition fail? Because the the teams failed to deliver and the fans up there were near invisible with crowds of 1,500 or less. Hat off and respect to those whom made the effort to show, but in a city of so many registered players, why were attendances so very poor. You had your two chances and you blew them.
2] On my trips up there and killing time, I used to listen to the sports talk on the radio and when asked if they were going to the Nix game, I could not believe how many said that it would rely on the weather conditions as to whether they'd go or not. Yes, you have had a couple of games with 19k there, but you also have had games with a lot less. Even two games in one season with crowds nearing 6k.
Now considering Wellingtonians and the surround areas are the ones who mainly buy the season tickets, it really should be them seeing the team in Wellington. Sure the money raised from Season Tickets might not be that much but the public in Wellington are the ones whom put their money in their mouths and bought them. Not for a one or two off but for every game regardless of where the circus was getting taken, they still paid.
1] Why did the two previous efforts of Auckland clubs in the Australian competition fail? Because the the teams failed to deliver and the fans up there were near invisible with crowds of 1,500 or less. Hat off and respect to those whom made the effort to show, but in a city of so many registered players, why were attendances so very poor. You had your two chances and you blew them.
2] On my trips up there and killing time, I used to listen to the sports talk on the radio and when asked if they were going to the Nix game, I could not believe how many said that it would rely on the weather conditions as to whether they'd go or not. Yes, you have had a couple of games with 19k there, but you also have had games with a lot less. Even two games in one season with crowds nearing 6k.
Now considering Wellingtonians and the surround areas are the ones who mainly buy the season tickets, it really should be them seeing the team in Wellington. Sure the money raised from Season Tickets might not be that much but the public in Wellington are the ones whom put their money in their mouths and bought them. Not for a one or two off but for every game regardless of where the circus was getting taken, they still paid.
Club needs money, Auckland have money and people, Despite the past an Auckland base A-League club now would be fine and Wellington wont have to keep leeching of Auckland for one of games as there would be a derby.
But then again if there was a derby Wellington wouldn't get money.
I'd rather see the club not fold and have the games in Auckland then them to play in Wellington and bleed more money and perhaps have to get bailed out next season.
Assuming Aucklanders actually do show up in numbers (Yes, even I hope they do but...) and if they don't??
If the game is at Eden Park, the crowd will at least match and highly likely be greater than would attend the 2nd of 2 back to back winter night games at the ROF.
It's pointless referring back to small crowds in the Albany boondocks. Proven to be dumb taking games there. Eden Park, central to Auckland and with good public transport is completely different - as has been proven with good (even excellent) crowd sizes for Nix games there, the last few years. That's what the Welnix bean counters will be banking on anyway, open TT bubble permitting.