South Sydney FC

[Futbol_Crazy21]

I know I may get some hate on this, ppl on 442 hate the idea. But Auckland is a very viable market. As long they don't make the same mistakes as last time, by branding them New Zealand representatives and have them playing at a stadium so far away it would be the equivalent of AUFC playing as far north as Elizabeth or Gawler every week.

Population size of about 1.5 million. As far as I am aware, no pro sport is played there during the summer. Auckland City is pretty established. Get them playing at Mt Smart or Eden park and ppl will come. Just need to get the AFC to go along with it.

[EdDog]

I'm all for expanding into markets in areas where there is no professional sporting clubs such as Tassie and Auckland etc.

The issue with Auckland in particular (and I agree with you about marketing correctly and it will work) is that FFA get a fair bit of pressure from the AFC about New Zealand being in our league altogether.

I'm happy for them to be here, I just don't think the priority would be for the FFA to expand into another New Zealand market.

[Stuckey]

Yeah I reckon if NZ want another HAL side they can fund it. But honestly we kind of need to keep AFC happy. Certainly more then we need to keep NZ happy. I say if NZ want another HAL side then look at joining Asia. I understand its not as simple as that. Personally I'd like to see Oceania come in and we look at an East - West split of the Asian Confederation.

[shinAUFC]

Imo it would be great for the league but almost criminal in terms of giving aussie youth a pathway to be professional.

We would be basically be building the new zealand national team and imo i think we have given them enough free passes.

I think down the track a second kiwi team is on the cards though

[Old Gregg]

For me a new NZ club wouldn't mean taking opportunities away from Aussie youth. It's all about expanding the league and its reach into new territories, I don't think this comes at the expense of what's already there...
Very much like MLS expanding into Canada. It's about strengthening the league - more players, more teams, more markets = awesome. If it strengthens NZ football as well, then great, win-win.

[Stuckey]

For me a new NZ club wouldn't mean taking opportunities away from Aussie youth. It's all about expanding the league and its reach into new territories, I don't think this comes at the expense of what's already there...
Very much like MLS expanding into Canada. It's about strengthening the league - more players, more teams, more markets = awesome. If it strengthens NZ football as well, then great, win-win.

Except that Canada is in USA's confederation.

[Old Gregg]

So they're far more of a direct threat to the US than NZ is to us

[ChillyPhilly]

RE: a second NZ club, it can happen but should be driven, funded and founded by the community only. A 'ground-up' approach, as opposed to the 'top-down' approach we are used to.

WSW was 50/50 in this regard. It at least used a participatory model to decide club colours, name, etc. But up until mere weeks ago it was funded by the top.

[Stuckey]

So they're far more of a direct threat to the US than NZ is to us

True but I feel we should be worrying about our own confederation which I still feel we are lucky to be a part of.

[blahblah]

I think a club in FNQ or Tasmania can absolutely work if they are based in a smaller stadium with say a 10k capacity. Not every club needs massive amount of fans to be viable.

Indeed. The Fury's demise was more a result of bad timing that anything else. They have a good, viable model and have a long term plan in place that is already bearing fruit. Yes, they will be a small club however that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Stuckey]

I think a club in FNQ or Tasmania can absolutely work if they are based in a smaller stadium with say a 10k capacity. Not every club needs massive amount of fans to be viable.

Indeed. The Fury's demise was more a result of bad timing that anything else. They have a good, viable model and have a long term plan in place that is already bearing fruit. Yes, they will be a small club however that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Maybe building thru the NPL and FFA cup is a more viable option then?