No big names yet, but some Kiwis have signed.
Auckland FC have contracted three fringe All Whites and an under-23 international as the new A-League club’s first signings.
The Black Knights unveiled goalkeeper Michael Woud, 25, fullback Francis de Vries, 29, midfielder Cameron Howieson, 29, and forward Jesse Randall, 21, at Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter on Thursday.
And Tommy Smith, who played for Macarthur this season.
Goalkeepers: Michael Woud
Defenders: Francis de Vries, Tommy Smith
Midfielders: Cam Howieson
Forwards: Max Mata, Jesse Randall
Seen some speculation that they've got 14 players signed and are planning to slowly announce names over the next few weeks.
Howieson was a perennial subject of phoenix rumours and speculation, so looking forward to seeing how he goes in the a league.
No Aussies or imports yet, so probably saving them for last. Corica will be tapping into the Sydney football market.
4 months later
Enjoyed that, haven't really followed the A League since the Knights folded in 2007.
Nice to have a local team to support.
@African-Monkey I'm not a football guy but even I might follow them. Especially since they play in Ponsonby Rugby colors!
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
@African-Monkey I'm not a football guy but even I might follow them. Especially since they play in Ponsonby Rugby colors!
Join the party mate haha.
Must've been a lot of unused freebies in that 'sold out' crowd.
Great to see Akl back in the A League but it was a hard watch at times. Pretty low standard of football.
@dogmeat said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
Must've been a lot of unused freebies in that 'sold out' crowd.
Great to see Akl back in the A League but it was a hard watch at times. Pretty low standard of football.
The A League must be no stronger than the English 3rd division
I haven't watched much A League TBH but I would say Saturday's game was mid League 2 standard. Maybe the top sides would be League 1 I can't really comment - but hey the Fern....
@canefan said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
@dogmeat said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
Must've been a lot of unused freebies in that 'sold out' crowd.
Great to see Akl back in the A League but it was a hard watch at times. Pretty low standard of football.
The A League must be no stronger than the English 3rd division
Yeah, would compare it to league 1. I went to a league 1 game earlier in the season (Charlton v Leyton Orient), it was probably the same standard style wise, maybe slightly better than that but not much better.
@dogmeat said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
I haven't watched much A League TBH but I would say Saturday's game was mid League 2 standard. Maybe the top sides would be League 1 I can't really comment - but hey the Fern....
Mid league 2 standard is a lot worse than that haha.
@African-Monkey said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
A late late winner leaves us 2 from 2 and top of the league!
Up the port!
The Phoenix will take top spot next week. 
@African-Monkey See how you go when you have to play away from home. COYN
@Bovidae said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
I loved the Phoenix's fly-by sign over Mt Smart.
Great marketing.
@Bovidae said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
I loved the Phoenix's fly-by sign over Mt Smart.
Created by all 3000 Phoenix fans. Fair play.
@African-Monkey Says the club full of bandwagon jumpers see how much of a crowd they get towards the end of the season be like the Knights and get 500 a game if lucky. The Nix average at least 6000 a game.
@mikey07 said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
@African-Monkey Says the club full of bandwagon jumpers see how much of a crowd they get towards the end of the season be like the Knights and get 500 a game if lucky. The Nix average at least 6000 a game.
Wah wah wah stop crying.
The crowds won't dip because we'll keep winning 
We've gotten 40,000 over the first 2 games, more than you're yearly total.
@African-Monkey We had just a tad under 95,000 for the year we had the 5th highest average in the A league last year. Really intrigued to see how you go away from home….loving this banter by the way.
@mikey07 said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
@African-Monkey We had just a tad under 95,000 for the year we had the 5th highest average in the A league last year. Really intrigued to see how you go away from home….loving this banter by the way.
Haha yeah, it's nice having 2 sides in the A league now, strengthens the national team, and creates a rivalry, which is only a positive for the game in this country.
We've looked fairly solid at the back so far, we need a proper striker though if we wanna finish high on the table though, and yes, Wellington is a hard place to play. Would happily take a point if offered.
I expect Alex Paulsen to cop plenty as well this week.
6 months later
It is what it is. We'll still take the premiers plate, just no double this year. Been a great season.
@African-Monkey said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
It is what it is. We'll still take the premiers plate, just no double this year. Been a great season.
Same stage as the Phoenix last year. In their first year though that wasn’t a bad one at all for AFC.
@Canes4life said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
@African-Monkey said in Auckland A-League football team in 2024:
It is what it is. We'll still take the premiers plate, just no double this year. Been a great season.
Same stage as the Phoenix last year. In their first year though that wasn’t a bad one at all for AFC.
Same team that broke Auckland fans hearts too.
