Fans deem football club 'too rich' for domestic competitions
• March 29, 2023
Auckland football fans attend a game at Eden Park. Photo: Daniel Dmello
Amid this weekend's start of the New Zealand National League some fans are questioning one team’s involvement in the league.
However, a lot of fans are pondering whether Auckland City FC should be involved in the league at all.
As the defending champions, Auckland City FC have dominated the domestic competitions for years, while also competing on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup.
With the club’s value standing at over two times the value of any other club in the league, there have been calls for them to go professional by joining the A-League.
While Auckland City FC gets its money from partners and television rights, a vast amount also comes from Trillian Trust, a nationwide pokie machine charity distributing grants since 1999.
Dedicated New Zealand football fan Hamish points out that the Auckland City FC receives significant funding.
“They're rich in effect by being an amateur club. Take away the Trillian Trust that is dished out for amateur sports or organisations, education, from which they received over $565,000 Jan-Dec last year, then that's a sizeable hole right there for an in-effect amateur set up."
“Of course, this is not their only form of income, and they're smart about what they do. It helps they've got some major backing and connections with serious financial clout too.”
Auckland City FC general manager, Gordon Watson, says they are not worried about these comments from New Zealand football fans and are instead focused on the upcoming domestic season.
“We have no response to make - fans are entitled to their opinions. Our focus is on the Northern League game with Western Springs on Saturday.”
The New Zealand Northern League kicks off this weekend with Auckland City FC playing their first game at 3pm on Saturday, December 25.
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