Latest news with #AucklandFC


NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC: The 25 moments that made their A-League season unforgettable
Auckland FC enjoyed a remarkable start to life, with one of the most incredible debut seasons achieved by an expansion club in Australasian sport. Michael Burgess looks at the key turning points for the Black Knights, on and off the field. 1. Bill Foley swoops In the hustle for the


Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds overruled on Wrexham plan as it emerges who has the real power
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has shared how manager Phil Parkinson rejected one of his ideas as the Red Dragons prepare for their first season in the Championship Ryan Reynolds has highlighted the significant role of Phil Parkinson at Wrexham after sharing how the manager vetoed one of his proposals. The Welsh team are currently on a high, having secured promotion from League One in April. The club is now gearing up for their first season in the second tier in 43 years. Wrexham recently revealed plans for a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand in July, with the Red Dragons gaining worldwide recognition under the stewardship of Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney. The "Wrexham Down Under Tour" will pit them against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Reynolds disclosed that he had also hoped to arrange a friendly match against Auckland FC. However, Parkinson dismissed the idea of playing against the newly formed club, opting instead for an early return home. "I really wanted us to play Auckland FC, which is a new team," Reynolds said. "I just like the idea of the third-oldest football club playing one of the newest. But Phil was like, 'Absolutely not, we are getting these players back to Wales ASAP after Wellington'." Parkinson's decision came in the wake of criticism over poor scheduling, which was blamed for Wrexham's sluggish start to life in League Two in 2023. That year, the club embarked on a summer tour of the United States but didn't return until a week before the season kicked off, leaving little time to readjust. Later on in the podcast, Reynolds mentioned he had complete faith in the manager, providing insight into Parkinson's significant influence at Wrexham. The co-owners have consistently said they would not interfere with football-related decisions since buying the club. It's a strategy that seems to have been successful, given Parkinson's three back-to-back promotions. Former Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes it is to the co-owners' credit that they have given him so much control. When asked about the dynamics in December, Foster said: "Phil Parkinson is the guy that has the say so on everything, with players in, players out, new contracts, and even when it comes to media duties. He wants to know what's going on. "I love the way that they give him all that power. When you've got two massive A-list Hollywood stars running the football club, money could become a massive problem, and you could be haemorrhaging cash all over the place, but he makes sure it doesn't happen." He added: "The manager nowadays is a coach, and they just get the players that the big dogs have brought in, and they have to work with them. But Phil Parkinson still maintains that he is the guy that brings every single player in." Parkinson is evidently thrilled with the support from Wrexham's owners. He praised their impact after promotion to the Championship was sealed. Parkinson said: "The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it. There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. "It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most. But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs." He added: "That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.


Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds has Wrexham pre-season request denied to show where power truly lies
Ryan Reynolds has Wrexham pre-season request denied to show where power truly lies Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has provided an insight into the level of control Phil Parkinson enjoys at Wrexham after revealing how the manager shut down one of his suggestions Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has revealed how Phil Parkinson shut down one of his ideas for pre-season (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA via Getty ) Ryan Reynolds has underscored Phil Parkinson's influence at Wrexham after revealing how the manager overruled one of his ideas. The North Wales side are riding high after achieving promotion from League One in April. Preparations are underway for the club's first season in the second tier in 43 years. Wrexham recently announced they will be heading on a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand in July, with the Red Dragons now enjoying global popularity under Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney. The "Wrexham Down Under Tour" will see them take on Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Reynolds has now told the Men in Blazers podcast how he also wanted to tag on a friendly against Auckland FC. However, Parkinson rejected the suggestion of taking on the club, which was only formed last year, in favour of returning home. "I really wanted us to play Auckland FC, which is a new team," Reynolds said. "I just like the idea of the third-oldest football club playing one of the newest. But Phil was like, 'Absolutely not, we are getting these players back to Wales ASAP after Wellington'." Parkinson's decision was made after poor scheduling was blamed for Wrexham's slow start to life in League Two in 2023. The club flew off on a summer tour of the United States that year, but didn't return until a week before the start of the season, leaving little time to reacclimatise. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (centre) and owners Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) have enjoyed huge success together (Image: AMA/Getty Images ) Reynolds said later in the podcast that he trusted the manager "implicitly" and his comments provide an insight into just how much power Parkinson enjoys at Wrexham. The co-owners have made it clear throughout their time at the club that they won't involve themselves in footballing decisions. It's an approach that appears to have worked, with Parkinson achieving three successive promotions at Wrexham. Former Red Dragons and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes it's to the actors' credit that they have surrendered so much control to him. Speaking in an interview back in December, Foster said: "Phil Parkinson is the guy that has the say so on everything, with players in, players out, new contracts, and even when it comes to media duties. He wants to know what's going on. "I love the way that they give him all that power. When you've got two massive A-list Hollywood stars running the football club, money could become a massive problem, and you could be haemorrhaging cash all over the place, but he makes sure it doesn't happen. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. He added: "The manager nowadays is a coach, and they just get the players that the big dogs have brought in, and they have to work with them. But Phil Parkinson still maintains that he is the guy that brings every single player in." Article continues below It's an arrangement which Parkinson himself is also clearly happy with after lauding Reynolds and McElhenney's role in Wrexham's success. Speaking shortly after they sealed promotion to the Championship, he said: "The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it. "There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most. But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs. "That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years."

NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC's success fuels football's rise over rugby in New Zealand
Auckland FC's Hiroki Sakai celebrates scoring a goal. Photo / Photosport THREE KEY FACTS With Auckland FC's explosion out of the blocks this year and football growing in popularity by the day, Nice Drop of Port podcast host Dale Owens asks the question – is football taking over from rugby as the nation's favourite sport? Across the sports fields of New

RNZ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Auckland FC dominate A-League Team of the Season
Auckland FC's Alex Paulsen. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Auckland FC missed out on the A-League Grand Final but six players and the coach have been recognised in the annual player-voted Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) A-League Men Team of the Season. The squad is made up of 18 players, with Premiers Plate winners Auckland FC having the most representatives of any club. Auckland FC goalkeeper Alex Paulsen will captain the side, for the second consecutive season, after he received the most votes of any player. Paulsen, who was on loan to Auckland FC from English Premier League side Bournemouth, will move on from the A-League next season. He could not believe he was named captain. "I'm still taking it in to be honest. "I'm thankful to everyone who voted for me, it means so much. I want to thank my teammates, the coaching staff and my family who have all supported me over this past year and encouraged me to become a better person and a better goalkeeper. "It is a huge honour and privilege to be represented on behalf of Auckland FC." Joining Paulsen in the PFA team are Auckland's Francis de Vries, Hiroki Sakai, Louis Verstraete, Guillermo May and Nando Pijnaker. Guillermo May of Auckland FC. Photo: Mark Evans / Steve Corica has been voted as coach. Only five players from the two A-League Grand Finalists were included. Melbourne City have four players in the squad, including two starters in defence with Kai Trewin and Nathaniel Atkinson voted in the back four, while Aziz Behich and Marco Tilio are among the substitutes. Melbourne Victory have only one player, midfielder Ryan Teague. The team is comprised of a 4-3-3 formation, with seven substitutes on the bench. All selected players received the most votes among their peers by PFA A-League Men members at the conclusion of the regular season. The members also voted on their coach of the season. Goalkeeper: Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC) Defenders: Francis De Vries (Auckland FC), Kai Trewin (Melbourne City), Nathaniel Atkinson (Melbourne City FC), Hiroki Sakai (Auckland FC) Midfielders: Angus Thurgate (Western United), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory), Louis Verstraete (Auckland FC) Forwards: Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC), Archie Goodwin (Adelaide United), Nicholas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers) Substitutes: Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Guillermo May (Auckland FC), Marco Tilio (Melbourne City), Noah Botic (Western United) Captain: Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC) Coach: Steve Corica (Auckland FC) Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.