- By Jim Birchall
The Super City’s new A-League franchise is starting to take shape with the unveiling of its first four signings last week, but just how will football fit into Auckland’s cluttered sporting landscape?
The born-again Warriors are touching capacity at home games at Go Media Mt Smart, while the Blues have also posted some reasonable numbers north of 20,000 over the autumn galvanising the often-apathetic sporting public.
Set for an October launch, Auckland FC is the latest attempt to capitalise on the beautiful game’s popularity.
Around 40,000 club players in Auckland have been aided by a huge boost in female player numbers inspired by the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
When coupled with the momentum generated by the Wellington-based Phoenix’s recent A-League success, those numbers could get even bigger- leaving the round ball ready to take centre stage.
Auckland FC will be a tenant at the ‘Wah’s fortress from October, with the NRL side not due back until the A-League’s dog days in March.
Not without a hard core base, football has always been a popular junior sport in Auckland, backed by strong senior clubs.
The immediate challenge for the start-up is convincing sports fans to put down the BBQ tongs and spend the warm evenings streaming through the turnstiles.
Hopefully, the new outfit, backed by American billionaire Bill Foley, who maintains interest in Bournemouth AFC along with the NHL ice hockey team the Vegas Golden Knights, can stir up enough support to well and truly exorcise the ghosts of previous A-League incarnations the New Zealand Knights and Football Kingz.
They are certainly making all the right moves.
New signings midfielder Cam Howieson, goalkeeper Michael Woud, defender Francis De Vries and winger Jesse Randall have all played for the All Whites or its under-23 equivalent.
More signings are expected soon, and Foley will also tap into the loan player base from his English premier league club to bolster ranks and put out a side formidable enough to put the Australian sides on notice.
If nothing else, it should be fun to watch.
