For those people that still wonder about the magic of sport, take a look at Auckland FC and their achievements across this A-League season.
It’s something that no one expected and will be remembered for a long, long time.
The new expansion club hasn’t just made a splash – they have completely torn up the script, in claiming the A-league Premiership in their first campaign.
Who saw this coming?
Most pundits felt they would make an impression – especially early on – but finishing ahead of the big, established Australian teams wasn’t on the radar, when you factored in the complexities of starting from scratch, the fact that most of their players had never experienced the A-League and the travel demands.
But it wasn’t just winning the Premiers Plate trophy but the way they did it. The Black Knights were top of the table for virtually the entire season and never looked like relinquishing their grip. They sealed first place with a fortnight to spare and only lost two matches, ending the regular season campaign with a 15 match unbeaten streak.
No other expansion team in the history of New Zealand sport has managed anything like that. The Wellington Phoenix finished eighth in their inaugural season in 2007-08, which was seen as a commendable effort. The New Zealand Breakers were 10th in their first campaign in 2003-2004 and made the playoffs at their fifth attempt. The New Zealand Warriors didn’t feature in post season play until 2001 – six years of hurt – after placing 10th in their debut 1995 campaign.
All of those teams had moments of early gold but couldn’t find the consistency; they shone for periods but never long enough.
Auckland FC has been a marvel, rising to each new challenge, getting over adversity and overcoming the vagaries of injury, suspension and unexpected hiccups.
So how have they done it? It’s a multi layered puzzle. No doubt they were fortunate to have two billionaire owners – Bill Foley and Anna Mowbray – who provided vast resources. But it’s not just about the money. When I first met chief executive Nick Becker nearly two years ago, he emphasised culture, connection and cohesion. It was important to bring in the right people and set high standards, while also building a genuine bond with the city, the fans and the local football clubs and make sure the squad had all the tools to succeed.
Coach Steve Corica and assistant Danny Hay have formed a dynamite duo, while director of football Terry McFlynn is a savvy operator, with one of the best contact books in the business. From there, the recruitment has been spectacular; young Kiwi talent, Australian experience and foreign players sourced from Asia, Europe and South America. All have fitted in well and contributed at different stages, adding to the depth at Corica’s disposal. The Australian coach has fostered a competitive environment, with no one guaranteed selection and built a strong defensive base.
Off the field, the club has worked hard to gain support. Before the season Corica and McFlynn visited the majority of Auckland clubs to attend training sessions, assess talent and espouse their vision, while the family friendly game day experience has turned heads and attracted new supporters, building a passionate fan base.
On the field, the team have gelled superbly. Even when things didn’t go to plan, they were quick to bounce back. The Black Knights developed a supreme level of physical fitness – from a punishing pre-season – allied with mental reslience. And they were hungry. They were fortunate at times but usually made their own luck, with a remarkable number of late goals.
Michael Burgess – Sports Writer