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Auckland FC

Updated: Wikipedia source

Auckland FC

Auckland Football Club, commonly known as Auckland FC, is a professional football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the A-League, the top flight of Australian soccer. Established on 14 March 2024, the club is under license from the APL. The club's home ground is the Mount Smart Stadium, currently known as the Go Media Stadium for sponsorship reasons, in Penrose. Auckland was given an A-League license under its chosen owner Bill Foley in November 2023, as part of the third tranche competition expansion. The club achieved early success by claiming the Premiership in the 2024–25 regular season, becoming only the second expansion side to win that title in their debut season, after Western Sydney Wanderers in the regular 2012-13 season.

Infobox

Full name
Auckland Football Club
Nicknames
The Black KnightsThe Port (supporters)
Short name
AFC
Founded
14 March 2024; 20 months ago (14 March 2024)
Ground
Go Media Stadium
Capacity
25,000 (approx. )
Coordinates
mw- 36°50′25″S 174°45′54″E / 36.8402°S 174.7650°E / -36.8402; 174.7650
Owner(s)
Black Knight Football and Entertainment
Chairman
Bill Foley
Head coach
Steve Corica
League
A-League Men
2024–25
1st of 13 (premiers)Finals: Semi-finals
Website
aucklandfc.co.nz
Owner
Black Knight Football Club

Tables

· Sponsorship
2024–2025
2024–2025
Period
2024–2025
Kit supplier
New Balance
Shirt sponsor (chest)
Anchor / Go Media
Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
McDonald's / Alvarium
Shirt sponsor (back)
ANZ / Liberty
Short sponsor (front)
Cupra
Short sponsor (back)
Barfoot & Thompson / Ebury
2025–0000
2025–0000
Period
2025–0000
Kit supplier
ANZ
Shirt sponsor (chest)
Anchor / Liberty
Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
Bargain Chemist
Shirt sponsor (back)
Barfoot & Thompson / AIPC
Period
Kit supplier
Shirt sponsor (chest)
Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
Shirt sponsor (back)
Short sponsor (front)
Short sponsor (back)
2024–2025
New Balance
Anchor / Go Media
McDonald's / Alvarium
ANZ / Liberty
Cupra
Barfoot & Thompson / Ebury
2025–0000
ANZ
Anchor / Liberty
Bargain Chemist
Barfoot & Thompson / AIPC
· Coaching staff › Technical officials
Steve Corica
Steve Corica
Position
Head Coach
Name
Steve Corica
Luke Casserly
Luke Casserly
Position
Assistant Coach
Name
Luke Casserly
Danny Hay
Danny Hay
Position
Assistant Coach
Name
Danny Hay
Jonathan Gould
Jonathan Gould
Position
Goalkeeping Coach
Name
Jonathan Gould
Doug Kors
Doug Kors
Position
Head of Recruitment
Name
Doug Kors
Cam Kilgour
Cam Kilgour
Position
Team Manager
Name
Cam Kilgour
Elias Bourkarim
Elias Bourkarim
Position
Head of Medical & Performance
Name
Elias Bourkarim
Position
Name
Ref.
Head Coach
Steve Corica
Assistant Coach
Luke Casserly
Assistant Coach
Danny Hay
Goalkeeping Coach
Jonathan Gould
Head of Recruitment
Doug Kors
Team Manager
Cam Kilgour
Head of Medical & Performance
Elias Bourkarim
· Coaching staff › Management
Bill Foley
Bill Foley
Position
Chairman
Name
Bill Foley
Nick Becker
Nick Becker
Position
Chief Executive Officer
Name
Nick Becker
Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins
Position
Chief Commercial Officer
Name
Mike Higgins
Terry McFlynn
Terry McFlynn
Position
Head of Football
Name
Terry McFlynn
Rafael Turnbull
Rafael Turnbull
Position
Head of Consumer Business
Name
Rafael Turnbull
Position
Name
Ref.
Chairman
Bill Foley
Chief Executive Officer
Nick Becker
Chief Commercial Officer
Mike Higgins
Head of Football
Terry McFlynn
Head of Consumer Business
Rafael Turnbull
1
1
No.
1
Pos.
GK
Nation
NZL
Player
Michael Woud
2
2
No.
2
Pos.
DF
Nation
JPN
Player
Hiroki Sakai (captain)
3
3
No.
3
Pos.
MF
Nation
AUS
Player
Jake Girdwood-Reich (on loan from St. Louis City)
4
4
No.
4
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Nando Pijnaker
6
6
No.
6
Pos.
MF
Nation
BEL
Player
Louis Verstraete
7
7
No.
7
Pos.
MF
Nation
NZL
Player
Cameron Howieson
8
8
No.
8
Pos.
MF
Nation
CHI
Player
Luis Felipe Gallegos
9
9
No.
9
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Sam Cosgrove
10
10
No.
10
Pos.
FW
Nation
URU
Player
Guillermo May
11
11
No.
11
Pos.
FW
Nation
AUS
Player
Marlee Francois
14
14
No.
14
Pos.
FW
Nation
NZL
Player
Liam Gillion (scholarship)
15
15
No.
15
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Francis de Vries
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
1
GK
NZL
Michael Woud
2
DF
JPN
Hiroki Sakai (captain)
3
MF
AUS
Jake Girdwood-Reich (on loan from St. Louis City)
4
DF
NZL
Nando Pijnaker
6
MF
BEL
Louis Verstraete
7
MF
NZL
Cameron Howieson
8
MF
CHI
Luis Felipe Gallegos
9
FW
ENG
Sam Cosgrove
10
FW
URU
Guillermo May
11
FW
AUS
Marlee Francois
14
FW
NZL
Liam Gillion (scholarship)
15
DF
NZL
Francis de Vries
16
16
No.
16
Pos.
MF
Nation
NZL
Player
Adama Coulibaly (scholarship)
17
17
No.
17
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Callan Elliot
18
18
No.
18
Pos.
MF
Nation
NZL
Player
Finn McKenlay (scholarship)
19
19
No.
19
Pos.
MF
Nation
NZL
Player
Oliver Middleton (scholarship)
20
20
No.
20
Pos.
GK
Nation
NZL
Player
Oliver Sail
21
21
No.
21
Pos.
FW
Nation
NZL
Player
Jesse Randall
22
22
No.
22
Pos.
MF
Nation
MLT
Player
Jake Brimmer (vice-captain)
23
23
No.
23
Pos.
DF
Nation
FIJ
Player
Dan Hall
27
27
No.
27
Pos.
FW
Nation
NZL
Player
Logan Rogerson
30
30
No.
30
Pos.
GK
Nation
NZL
Player
Joseph Knowles (scholarship)
35
35
No.
35
Pos.
FW
Nation
NZL
Player
Jonty Bidois (scholarship)
77
77
No.
77
Pos.
FW
Nation
AUS
Player
Lachlan Brook
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
16
MF
NZL
Adama Coulibaly (scholarship)
17
DF
NZL
Callan Elliot
18
MF
NZL
Finn McKenlay (scholarship)
19
MF
NZL
Oliver Middleton (scholarship)
20
GK
NZL
Oliver Sail
21
FW
NZL
Jesse Randall
22
MF
MLT
Jake Brimmer (vice-captain)
23
DF
FIJ
Dan Hall
27
FW
NZL
Logan Rogerson
30
GK
NZL
Joseph Knowles (scholarship)
35
FW
NZL
Jonty Bidois (scholarship)
77
FW
AUS
Lachlan Brook
—
—
No.
—
Pos.
DF
Nation
AUS
Player
Tass Mourdoukoutas
—
—
No.
—
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Zac Zoricich
—
—
No.
—
Pos.
FW
Nation
NZL
Player
Kian Donkers
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
—
DF
AUS
Tass Mourdoukoutas
—
DF
NZL
Zac Zoricich
—
FW
NZL
Kian Donkers
—
—
No.
—
Pos.
FW
Nation
AUS
Player
Bailey Ferguson
—
—
No.
—
Pos.
FW
Nation
ARG
Player
Emiliano Tade
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
—
FW
AUS
Bailey Ferguson
—
FW
ARG
Emiliano Tade
34
34
No.
34
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Codey Phoenix
43
43
No.
43
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Ryan Mackay
45
45
No.
45
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Matthew D'Hotman
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
34
DF
NZL
Codey Phoenix
43
DF
NZL
Ryan Mackay
45
DF
NZL
Matthew D'Hotman
50
50
No.
50
Pos.
GK
Nation
NZL
Player
Eli Jones
52
52
No.
52
Pos.
DF
Nation
NZL
Player
Luka Vicelich
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
50
GK
NZL
Eli Jones
52
DF
NZL
Luka Vicelich
· Players › Captaincy history
Hiroki Sakai
Hiroki Sakai
Dates
2024–0000
Name
Hiroki Sakai
Honours (as captain)
Inaugural club captain
Dates
Name
Honours (as captain)
2024–0000
Hiroki Sakai
Inaugural club captain
· Player records › Most goals
Guillermo May
Guillermo May
#
1
Name
Guillermo May
Goals
9
Neyder Moreno
Neyder Moreno
#
3
Name
Neyder Moreno
Goals
8
Nando Pijnaker
Nando Pijnaker
#
4
Name
Nando Pijnaker
Goals
4
Jake Brimmer
Jake Brimmer
#
5
Name
Jake Brimmer
Goals
3
Max Mata
Max Mata
#
8
Name
Max Mata
Goals
2
Callan Elliot
Callan Elliot
#
11
Name
Callan Elliot
Goals
1
#
Name
Goals
1
Guillermo May
9
Logan Rogerson
3
Neyder Moreno
8
4
Nando Pijnaker
4
5
Jake Brimmer
3
Hiroki Sakai
Jesse Randall
8
Max Mata
2
Francis de Vries
Louis Verstraete
11
Callan Elliot
1
Luis Felipe Gallegos
Marlee Francois

References

  1. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/21/a-league-new-auckland-football-club-team-expansion-bill-foley-licence
  2. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-15/a-leagues-canberra-auckland-club-expansion-2024-25-season/102093336
  3. "Premier League owner confirmed as preferred bidder for A-Leagues expansion licence in Auckland"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/aleagues-expansion-auckland-preferred-bidder-black-knight-bill-foley-bournemouth/
  4. "Auckland expansion team awarded full A-Leagues license"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-news-auckland-new-team-expansion/
  5. Stuff.co.nz
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/133344359/auckland-aleagues-club-has-lot-of-work-to-do-on-brand-owner-not-wedded-to-knights
  6. A-Leagues
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-auckland-fc-news-name-jersey-colours/
  7. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/14/a-league-auckland-fc-black-knights-kit-uniform
  8. "A-Leagues expansion club AKL Football 24 unveil Director of Football"
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/a-leagues-expansion-club-akl-football-24-unveil-director-of-football/
  9. "Auckland appoint Steve Corica as maiden Isuzu UTE A-League coach"
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/auckland-appoint-steve-corica-as-maiden-isuzu-ute-a-league-coach/
  10. "Historic day for Auckland FC as A-Leagues' new club unveils first four signings"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/auckland-fc-first-signings-a-league-men-2024-25-howieson-woud-randall-de-vries/
  11. The New Zealand Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-v-brisbane-roar-result-black-knights-claim-victory-in-a-league-debut/ZGTPUXCA2ZFLBMB3ZF3NI54HJE/
  12. RNZ
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/532664/auckland-fc-win-their-first-a-league-derby-against-phoenix
  13. NZ Sports Wire
    https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/auckland-fc-suffer-first-loss-in-a-league
  14. A-Leagues
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/aleague-men-2025-semi-finals-locked-in-fixtures-matchups-details-tickets-broadcast-auckland-victory-western-united-city/
  15. Melbourne Victory
    https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/mens-match-report-victory-fall-short-to-premiers/
  16. A-Leagues
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/aleague-men-2025-semi-finals-locked-in-fixtures-matchups-details-tickets-broadcast-auckland-victory-western-united-city/
  17. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc-new-a-leagues-franchise-reveals-name-crest-and-playing-kit/CKAAUVM73RB4TIAGY5TVJVXYAM/
  18. Auckland FC
    https://shop.aucklandfc.co.nz/products/auckland-fc-2024-25-home-jersey?variant=44911620948223/
  19. RNZ
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/511699/auckland-fc-named-as-newest-a-league-team
  20. Radio New Zealand
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/503318/football-s-big-auckland-adventure-a-new-stadium-on-the-cards
  21. "Auckland A-Leagues franchise team name set to be announced"
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/auckland-a-leagues-franchise-team-name-set-to-be-announced/
  22. "Wellington Phoenix to host Melbourne City in Auckland"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/wellington-phoenix-confirm-qbe-stadium-clash/
  23. "Eden Park confirmed for final 'home' match in Auckland"
    https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/eden-park-confirmed-for-final-home-match-in-auckland/
  24. Newshub
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240317053614/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/03/football-wellington-phoenix-will-miss-eden-park-payday-support-when-auckland-fc-join-a-league.html
  25. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/soccer-the-troubled-journey-of-the-kingz/EF7KALNHWFZ7W2S3IKNJKLKIJE/
  26. www.stuff.co.nz
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/133119551/return-of-the-knights-football-club-backers-preferred-name-a-blast-from-the-past
  27. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/wellington-phoenix/knights-have-licence-revoked-by-soccer-body/OV3RDGQ45FD6EQU2FCA75J6QRI/
  28. "Australia – FFA Revoke NZ Knights A-League Licence"
    https://www.oceaniafootball.com/archives-18231/
  29. Stuff (company)
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360622084/revealed-first-images-new-auckland-stadium-complex-steven-adams-joins-all-star-backers
  30. New Zealand Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/new-auckland-stadium-proposal-one-of-three-being-considered-to-western-springs-stadium/W3KBY2DHRVD55ATFTYWXTPNYX4/
  31. Radio New Zealand
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/568113/auckland-fc-stick-with-dual-stadiums-plan-for-expansion
  32. Friends of Football
    https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/05/16/listen-unofficial-supporters-group-getting-behind-a-leagues-auckland-fc/
  33. georgefm.co.nz
    https://www.georgefm.co.nz/home/good-chat/2024/03/disgusting-or-fire-aucklands-aleague-team-revealed-their-name-and-kit-and-fans-are-torn.html
  34. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-wellington-phoenix-quick-to-ignite-local-a-league-rivalry-with-light-hearted-dig-at-new-franchise/MCL3IOVXCNAJ5ORRNZFU2FBCDQ/
  35. https://blackknightfootballclub.com/
    https://blackknightfootballclub.com/
  36. "Meet Bill Foley: The billionaire who's just been awarded the next A-Leagues license"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-auckland-team-owner-who-is-bill-foley-bournemouth-lorient-golden-knights/
  37. Friends of Football
    https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/01/31/bill-foley-gets-go-ahead-to-complete-investment-in-scottish-club-hibernian/
  38. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-former-all-black-ali-williams-and-partner-anna-mowbray-co-investors-in-a-league-franchise/QB77RXPQQ5DCBPJ5UMAOJFJHLU/#:~:text=Former%20All%20Black%20Ali%20Williams%20and%20toy%20company%20magnate%20Anna,be%20directors%20on%20the%20board.
  39. NZ Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/the-making-of-a-maverick-ali-williams-journey-from-all-blacks-to-football-entrepreneur/AQN7AIGCYFGQZITECKOF4JNJ5E/
  40. Friends of Football
    https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/06/09/auckland-fcs-majority-owner-hires-president-to-oversee-global-portfolio/
  41. Auckland
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/auckland-fc-reserves-fixtures/
  42. Auckland
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/auckland-fc-confirm-womens-team-delay/
  43. "Auckland appoint Steve Corica as maiden Isuzu Ute A-League coach"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/auckland-a-league-team-coach-appointed-steve-corica-details-news/
  44. The New Zealand Herald
    https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/exfootball-australia-head-of-national-performance-luke-casserly-lured-to-new-zealand/news-story/25f78193a4c92f026f652f649b48535a
  45. The New Zealand Herald
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/auckland-fc-former-all-whites-coach-danny-hay-to-take-role-with-new-a-league-club/U574GRAWBZA6TF7XFXI25VSM3U/
  46. "Auckland bolster coaching staff with ex-Scotland international who won 6 titles at Celtic"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-auckland-fc-jonathan-gould-celtic-stoke-pulis/
  47. friendsoffootballnz.com
    https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/02/18/aucklands-a-league-expansion-club-hires-player-recruitment-specialist/
  48. Friends of Football
    https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/06/17/new-a-league-club-auckland-fc-name-cam-kilgour-as-their-first-team-manager/
  49. "Our Staff"
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/our-staff/
  50. "A Leagues expansions club AKL Football 24 unveil Director of Football"
    https://aleagues.com.au/news/auckland-akl-football-24-a-league-news-terry-mcflynn/
  51. Auckland FC
    https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/sakai-appointed-new-auckland-fc-captain-two-vice-captains-named/
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