As well you have to consider we had the pick of AW professional players for a long time. A lot of the talent that is spread over US and Europe now came home to get the Nix going. Our imports were a mixed bag, but our home grown players, at least initially, were often good enough to have been imports in other teams.
Now we’re a team of imports and youth development, but Toto, Chen, Gao, Tony flippin back up keeper Warner, Sanchez, Cleberson… and we’re talking early internet video and smartphone age. There wasn’t always great scouting video available. An import slot didn’t mean a Taylor or an Ifill each time.
Daniel was still there because he’d earned the respect for him to be allowed to leave at a pace we might not tolerate today.
Now we’re a team of imports and youth development, but Toto, Chen, Gao, Tony flippin back up keeper Warner, Sanchez, Cleberson… and we’re talking early internet video and smartphone age. There wasn’t always great scouting video available. An import slot didn’t mean a Taylor or an Ifill each time.
Daniel was still there because he’d earned the respect for him to be allowed to leave at a pace we might not tolerate today.
Moss came from Knights/Romania, Sigmund from the National League, Bertos from lower league UK/Perth Glory, Lochhead from MLS (but as squaddie really), Brown from Newcastle Jets, Christie from Knights/Glory & Smeltz from Halifax Town. Mostly funded via the IRD??
It would be like having Crocombe/Tzanev, Kyle Adams, Musa, Deklan Wynne, Roux, Howieson & Max Mata all sign for the Nix now. Not really the cream of current NZ football talent. Though you would be getting an experienced Kiwi spine I guess.