History for coochiee

martinb

Napier Phoenix

Yes, the annual 20g game in Auckland would be replaced with 20,000 in both Wellington and Auckland.

AucklandPhoenix

I understand the concern but with the exception of a 20k crowd at eden park for the nix once a year, I think the advantages would out strip that- if nothing else demonstrates in both the a league and the rugby comp, local derbies are the life blood. Many years after the kingz and the knights I think Auckland is mature and big enough 

I don’t think it should be an all encompassing Auckland team. Maybe an Eastern or Waitak or Manukau or Northern  or Central team, with some home games at Nth Shore or Eden Park instead of wherever. It has to have a local identity within Auckland I’d say to really tap into parochial spirit. Especially if it takes root, because then you may get a second Auckland team at 2 mill population and in 10-15 years or so…

That doesn't really make alot of sense in the present. Comparable sized city teams like Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane don't focus on any one part of the city - whilst they are still one city sides. You'd surely just give an Auckland team a generic name like Auckland United, to tap into the city as a whole, needing every fan you can get when you start up from scratch.

Then sure in 10-15 years time you may get a 2nd Auckland team, if the A League expands to say 20 teams, or a financially viable strong 2nd division is up & running. The harbour bridge and North Shore/North Harbour is always a pretty natural split for sporting teams out of the greater 09. But that's all dreamland stuff for now.