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Auckland FC

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This article is about the A-League Men professional football club. For the Northern League association football club, see Auckland City FC.

Auckland FC
Full nameAuckland Football Club
Nickname(s)The Black Knights
Short nameAFC
Founded14 March 2024; 8 months ago (14 March 2024)
GroundMount Smart Stadium
Capacity25,000
Coordinates36°50′25″S 174°45′54″E / 36.8402°S 174.7650°E / -36.8402; 174.7650
OwnerBlack Knight Football and Entertainment
ChairmanBill Foley
ManagerSteve Corica
LeagueA-League Men
2023–24Did not compete
Websitehttps://aucklandfc.co.nz/
Current season

Auckland Football Club is a professional football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the A-League Men, the top flight of Australian soccer. Established on 14 March 2024 as Auckland FC, the club is under licence from the Australian Professional Leagues. The club's home ground is Mount Smart Stadium in Penrose.

Auckland was given an A-League licence under its chosen owner Bill Foley in November 2023, as part of the third tranche competition expansion.[1]

The club's main rivals are Wellington Phoenix. The rivalry between the two clubs is called the Kiwi Clásico.

History

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In March 2023, the Australian Professional Leagues confirmed plans for the next two expansion clubs to be based in Canberra and Auckland ahead of the 2024–25 season.[2] In October 2023, the preferred bidder as owner of the new Auckland licence was confirmed to be Bill Foley,[3] with the licence officially awarded on 21 November.[4] Speaking at the time of the license awarding in November 2023, Foley stated there "was a lot of work to do" to determine the name and logo for the club and that he was "not wedded to any name at this point", despite expressing a personal preference for "Black Knights".[5]

On 14 March 2024, the club officially announced its name, logo and inaugural home kit at its headquarters in Auckland. The name was announced as Auckland FC and a stripe kit that featured electric blue and black as its main colours. The kit was manufactured by New Balance.[6] The nickname was unveiled to be "Black Knights," which is associated with several clubs that Foley owns and refers to the nickname of the sports teams at his alma mater, the United States Military Academy.[7] On the same day of the announcement, the club revealed Terry McFlynn as its director of football,[8] and Steve Corica as its inaugural head coach.[9] Auckland FC announced four player signings, the first before the 2024–25 season, in May.[10]

Auckland FC's first regular season A-League Men match was held on 19 October 2024 at it's home ground Mount Smart Stadium. In front of a sell-out crowd of 24,492 spectators, the Black Knights defeated Brisbane Roar 2-0.[11]

Club badge and colours

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The club colours are electric blue and black, associated with the traditional royal blue of Auckland.[12] The crest features an A in its centre to symbolise the city, representing Rangitoto Island and the Sky Tower. The black knight visor and stripes represent the club's owner Black Knight Sports & Entertainment.[12] The club's short name AFC is displayed on the crest.[13]

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit supplier Shirt sponsor (chest) Shirt sponsor (sleeve) Shirt sponsor (back)
2024–0000 New Balance Anchor / Go Media McDonald's ANZ

Stadium

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Main article: Mount Smart Stadium

Mount Smart Stadium is set to be the first home stadium of Auckland FC for the 2024–25 season.[14] Foley stated that the ground would be used for a "few years" before construction of a new 20,000 seater venue to be built on the Auckland waterfront.[15] The club also announced North Harbour Stadium as their training base due to scheduling issues with National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors, who has played at Mount Smart Stadium since 1995.[16]

Before the establishment of Auckland FC, Wellington Phoenix was named the home side in Auckland and played matches at North Harbour Stadium and Eden Park.[17][18] The club played their last match in Auckland on 16 March 2024 against Sydney FC at Eden Park.[19] Football Kingz, the first Auckland club to play in Australia, also named North Harbour Stadium and Mount Smart Stadium as their home ground before dissolving in 2004 due to finance.[20] The New Zealand Knights replaced Football Kingz in the 2005–06 season of the A-League and played at the same ground.[21] The Knights folded in the 2006–07 A-League season after the club's licence was removed from the Football Federation Australia (FFA) due to insolvency.[22][23]

Supporters and rivalries

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First ever New Zealand derby match between Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC at Sky Stadium, Wellington on 2 November 2024.
First ever New Zealand derby match between Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC at Sky Stadium, Wellington on 2 November 2024.

The Port are a supporters' group associated with Auckland FC.[24] The club also have a supporters' pub located in The Chamberlain, Auckland CBD.[25]

As the third Auckland-based club to compete in the top flight of Australia, succeeding from Football Kingz and New Zealand Knights, Auckland will share a rivalry with Wellington Phoenix, who have been the only New Zealand club in the A-League Men since the 2007–08 season.[26]

Auckland FC won the inaugural Kiwi Clásico on 2 November 2024 at The Sky Stadium in Wellington 2-0, courtesy of two late goals from Jake Brimmer. [27]

Ownership

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The owner of Auckland FC, Bill Foley, is a businessman and general partner of Black Knight Football and Entertainment. Under Black Knight, Foley is an owner of English football club AFC Bournemouth and the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League in the United States.[28] He is a minor shareholder of football clubs FC Lorient and Hibernian.[29] After the unveiling of Auckland FC on 14 March 2024, Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray, co-founder of Zuru, were announced as co-owners of the club.[30] Williams is a former professional rugby union player and represented the New Zealand national team as a lock.[31] In June 2024, Tim Bezbatchenko was appointed president of Black Knight.[32]

Auckland FC Women and Academy teams

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Auckland FC announced on 14 March 2024 that a women's football team would enter the 2025–26 season of the A-League Women with a youth team to act as an academy for the men and women squads. As director of football, Terry McFlynn will manage player and coach recruitment for both sides.[8]

Coaching staff

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Technical officials

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Position Name Ref.
Head Coach Australia Steve Corica [33]
Assistant Coach New Zealand Danny Hay [34]
Goalkeeping Coach Scotland Jonathan Gould [35]
Head of Recruitment Australia Doug Kors [36]
Team Manager New Zealand Cam Kilgour [37]
Head of Medical & Performance Australia Elias Bourkarim [38]

Management

[edit]
Position Name Ref.
Chairman United States Bill Foley
Chief Executive Officer New Zealand Nick Becker
Chief Commercial Officer New Zealand Mike Higgins
Head of Football Northern Ireland Terry McFlynn [39]
Head of Consumer Business New Zealand Rafael Turnbull

Players

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Further information: List of Auckland FC players

First-team squad

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As of 14 October 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK New Zealand NZL Michael Woud
2 DF Japan JPN Hiroki Sakai (captain)
3 DF Australia AUS Scott Galloway
4 DF New Zealand NZL Nando Pijnaker
5 DF New Zealand NZL Tommy Smith (vice-captain)
6 MF Belgium BEL Louis Verstraete
7 MF New Zealand NZL Cameron Howieson
8 MF New Zealand NZL Luis Toomey (scholarship)
9 FW New Zealand NZL Max Mata (on loan from Shrewsbury Town)
10 FW Uruguay URU Guillermo May
11 FW New Zealand NZL Joe Champness
12 GK New Zealand NZL Alex Paulsen (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
14 FW New Zealand NZL Liam Gillion (scholarship)
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF New Zealand NZL Francis de Vries
16 MF New Zealand NZL Adama Coulibaly (scholarship)
17 DF New Zealand NZL Callan Elliot
18 MF New Zealand NZL Finn McKenlay (scholarship)
19 MF New Zealand NZL Oliver Middleton (scholarship)
21 FW New Zealand NZL Jesse Randall
22 MF Australia AUS Jake Brimmer (vice-captain)
23 DF Fiji FIJ Dan Hall
25 FW Colombia COL Neyder Moreno
27 FW New Zealand NZL Logan Rogerson
28 MF Chile CHI Luis Felipe Gallegos
30 GK New Zealand NZL Joseph Knowles (scholarship)
35 FW New Zealand NZL Jonty Bidois (scholarship)

Captaincy history

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Dates Name Honours (as captain)
2024– Japan Hiroki Sakai Inaugural club captain[40]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jack Snape (21 November 2023). "New Auckland football club to join A-Leagues after Bill Foley secures licence". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "A-Leagues set to expand to Canberra and Auckland for 2024–25 season". ABC News. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. ^ tomsmithies (10 October 2023). "Premier League owner confirmed as preferred bidder for A-Leagues expansion licence in Auckland". A-Leagues. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Auckland expansion team awarded full A-Leagues license". A-Leagues. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  5. ^ Andrew Voerman (21 November 2023). "Auckland A-Leagues club has 'lot of work' to do on brand; owner not wedded to 'Knights'". Stuff.co.nz.
  6. ^ Sacha Pisani (14 March 2024). "Historic day for A-Leagues as new Auckland team reveals name, logo and inaugural jersey". A-Leagues.
  7. ^ "'Black Knights': A-League's newest club Auckland FC pick Inter-style kits". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b "A-Leagues expansion club AKL Football 24 unveil Director of Football". Auckland FC. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Auckland appoint Steve Corica as maiden Isuzu UTE A-League coach". Auckland FC. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  10. ^ Comito, Matt (29 May 2024). "Historic day for Auckland FC as A-Leagues' new club unveils first four signings". A-Leagues. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  11. ^ Michael Burgess (19 October 2024). "Auckland FC v Brisbane Roar result: Black Knights claim victory in A-League debut". The New Zealand Herald.
  12. ^ a b Toogood, Will (11 May 2024). "Auckland A-Leagues franchise reveals name, kit and crest". NZ Herald. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Auckland FC 2024–25 Home Jersey". Auckland FC. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Auckland FC named as newest A-League team". RNZ. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Football's big Auckland adventure - a new stadium on the cards?". Radio New Zealand. 26 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Auckland A-Leagues franchise team name set to be announced". Auckland FC. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Wellington Phoenix to host Melbourne City in Auckland". A-Leagues. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Eden Park confirmed for final 'home' match in Auckland". Wellington Phoenix. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  19. ^ Chapman, Grant (17 March 2024). "Phoenix will miss Eden Park payday, support when Auckland join A-League". Newshub. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Soccer: The troubled journey of the Kingz". NZ Herald. 2 November 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  21. ^ Voerman, Andrew (15 October 2023). "Return of the Knights? Football club backer's preferred name a blast from the past". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Knights have licence revoked by soccer body". NZ Herald. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  23. ^ "AUSTRALIA – FFA REVOKE NZ KNIGHTS A-LEAGUE LICENCE". Oceania Football Confederation. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  24. ^ "LISTEN: Unofficial supporters' group get behind A-League's Auckland FC". Friends of Football. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  25. ^ Gupwell, Seth (14 March 2024). "'Horrendous' or 'fire'? Auckland's A-League team revealed their name and kit and fans are torn". georgefm.co.nz. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  26. ^ "'Doesn't have a great track record': Phoenix ignite rivalry with new Auckland club". NZ Herald. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  27. ^ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-result-a-league-men-round-three/PO3OJGTYK5BN3EIJ6A36SC7MYQ/
  28. ^ Pisani, Sacha (21 November 2023). "Meet Bill Foley: The billionaire who's just been awarded the next A-Leagues license". A-Leagues. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Bill Foley gets go-ahead to complete investment in Scottish club Hibernian". Friends of Football. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  30. ^ Burgess, Michael (14 March 2024). "Power couple link with new Auckland football team". NZ Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Ali Williams unplugged: Dyslexia, regrets and building Auckland FC". NZ Herald. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Auckland FC's majority owner hires president to oversee global portfolio". Friends of Football. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Auckland appoint Steve Corica as maiden Isuzu Ute A-League coach". A Leagues. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  34. ^ Burgess, Michael (22 March 2024). "Auckland FC signs former All Whites coach Danny Hay as assistant coach for new A-League club". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  35. ^ Pisani, Sacha (8 July 2024). "Auckland bolster coaching staff with ex-Scotland international who won 6 titles at Celtic". A-Leagues. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Auckland's A-League expansion club hires player recruitment specialist". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  37. ^ "New A-League club Auckland FC name Cam Kilgour as their first team manager". Friends of Football. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  38. ^ "Our Staff". Auckland FC. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  39. ^ Pisani, Sacha (4 December 2023). "A Leagues expansions club AKL Football 24 unveil Director of Football". A Leagues. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Sakai Appointed New Auckland FC Captain; Two Vice Captains Named". Auckland FC. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
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