All eyes will be on Auckland FC - as the Kiwi side gears up to face off against the Melbourne Victory at Mt Smart this evening.
The winner will gain passage to the grand final, with the Black Knights in the box seat by holding a one-goal advantage.
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker and Director of Football Terry McFlynn joined in on the discussion with Piney.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
At Tyler Street Sport.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
This is Weekend Sport and a league semi final day today.
Leading us off to the more influential members of the
Auckland FC staff.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
CEO Nick Beckers, popt.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
In cad I, Nick Kay Piney, how are you very good?
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Great Devy with us Director of Football Terry mcflinn as well.
Thanks for joining us, Terry.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Very good.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Let's actually start with a general read of the vibe
and how you're both feeling. Just under six hours to
kick off. Terry, you're looking very relaxed.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I must say, yeah, it's been a good week. The
boys have trained really well this week. Good trip back
from Australia last week, a couple of days off for
the boys this week.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
They're prepared, they're ready.
Speaker 5 (00:47):
We had a good session yesterday at Gormdia Stadium, a
couple of video sessions as well, so the boys are relaxed,
looking forward to a full host of gold media today.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Just take us inside the minds of the players.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
They often say we want to play in the biggest games,
but there's also I guess the danger of playing the
game before it actually arrives. Do you ask them to
embrace the occasion or treat it like another week.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Look, I think you've got in bris the occasion. You know,
you can share away from the fact that it's a
semi final. I you know, we spoke to the boys
in Melbourne last week. We've got two hundred minutes of
football left for this season. You know, we started on
the first of July this season with twelve players. We've
got to this point. Everything that they've done in the gym,
on the trend and pitch games, travel all comes down
to this. And as a footballer, these are big games
(01:30):
that you want to play in, you want to be
a part of. We're extra seats in nice with given
more people in the in the stadium. So these are
the games that as a professional footballer you want to
be part of. And like I said, it's it's two
hundred minutes of football out of their life.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
And Nick, what about you, mate, you're looking relaxed as well.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I think everybody at the football club just always strikes
me as being very relaxed on the outside of right.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
If you just got a good poker face, pint of
good poker face pretty I'm not nervous, but we always
get a little bit kind of you know, the nerves
of the.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Air on a match day, but also super excited.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
It's a it is a you know, we're going to
be around for one season, but a big day, right,
This is a massive day for us, and I think
we all you know, kind of it's been the group,
what that message has been flying. You know, everybody is
up for it. You know, it's a Orcan's got a
glorious blue blue sky suns out, you know, go media
going to be packed with those, to Terry's point, extra seats,
and they're about twenty eight thousand, six hundred. In fact,
(02:18):
actually I can give you hot of the press because
I believe the A League released a few tickets last night.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
There's one hundred and seventy left there.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
So if anyone is listening and want to get down there,
they're better be very quick.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Okay, one hundred and seventy taking the I know it's
hard to actually give us the exact capacity, but is
it up near twenty nine.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
Just under I think twenty eight thousand, six hundred and something.
Oh good, yeah, yeah, it's brilliant.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So I mean the footballers can look after the football work.
What's what's the best use of your week leading into
a game?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Like this great question.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
I think what I've I mean, I've tended to do
is you kind of now's the time, like like sort
of Terry talks about the boys have done all the
hard work, our guys off the pitch, and then head
obviously worked super hard all season as well, and so
it's just a case of kind of directing traffic at
this point.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
You know, we all know how important it is.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
It's actually kind of a bit funny because the A
League come in and take over the final series, so
it's sort of like that mess of how involved you get,
you know in that type of thing. I've also had
to do a lot of media, but I kind of
feels that's quite you know, it's important this role, but
it's also taking the pressure off the other people are
getting asked, and I think everybody's getting pretty sick of
my voice in face.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
But you know, I don't mind it.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Well, I mean I get accused of that all the time.
Maybe the voice rather than the face talking it is
probably quite a good but Terry, You've played in a
lot of big football matches, a couple of a league
Grand finals O five six the first one Steve Korriker
got the winning goal that day twenty nineteen as well,
when it's extra time and penalties.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
How do players pass the time on a day like this?
How did you used to do it?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
Look, I think the players of creatures of habit so
they've got they all of their own routines. I think
it's actually probably a little bit more distracting when they're
at home. We tried to take a lot of the
pressure off the boys this week with leading into big ms.
A lot of destructions could be around tickets and things
they he for family and friends, and so we organized
that early in the week. To the next point. The
(04:05):
ticket and tim have been fantastic. They organize everything for
the players and stuff early in the week. So, yeah,
the boys will be relaxed. They'll have their own routine.
They'll they go for breakfast, they go for a walk
with their families, and then they'll have a little nap
this afternoon and then make the way to the stadium.
We'll do a video session before the warm up and
then as soon as as soon as you get in
the stadium, then that's you know, it's business as usual
(04:26):
from there.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
This is the biggest game of many of their lives
and hopefully next weekend will be bigger.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Again.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Let's lead there.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Off to one side. Do you sense any nerves? Do
you sense any anxiety in the playing group?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Surely there must be some.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
No, really, Look, we've got a mental performance coach him
his partner who does a lot of work with the
players in we're leaving the stress and then they're leaving
anxiety and taking that away and at the end of
the day. So we started this in the first of
July as a playing group, and this is what we
work towards. So if it's if you set a goal
and you work towards it, then you shouldn't be afraid
of it, walk towards it.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
So July one was when using it at your benchmark,
the opening day of the season, I do the radio
show from GO Media Stadium. Actually, you both well, we were
among my first guests. That was thirty one weeks ago today,
thirty one weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Incredible, amazing.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I remember you both being positive, optimistic about the season here,
as you rightly should have been.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Did you realistically expect this season?
Speaker 6 (05:23):
I mean it's definitely exceeded expectations bin Any. But look,
we knew right from the start that we were going
to have a competitive side on the pitch. We'd worked
really hard to connect with the community. We didn't quite
know it was going to be as successful as was.
We didn't know we'd sell out four games. We didn't
know we'd have three hundred thousand organized fans through. So
that's blown us away. I mean, it's it's but there's
(05:43):
been a a it's been one of those seasons that
don't come around often in football, right, and the journey
so far and it hasn't done yet to tear his
point on the tournaments. It's still there's still a little
bit of football ahead of us and the really exciting part.
But you know, seasons like this don't come acround around often,
and when they do, it's just you take the ride
and you go with that. You know, everybody has worked
super hard to get where we are. It's sort of
(06:05):
you know, to your point earlier, we look quite relaxed,
but everybody has been, you know, on point for the
whole the whole piece, both on the pitch and off
the pitch, of the football department and and all of.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Their head office as well.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
So yeah, we had a and that goes down to
some amazing Not only the fans have been incredible, but
some of our commercial partners have been We just had
to ask me what I've been doing this week. I've
been out a lot, We've had a lot of functions,
We've had a lot of formal for things to go to.
But one of my favorites was on Thursday night we
went to a little record bar and ponsonby ARMI I
(06:36):
think it's called and A and Z how to Record
Breaking Party for us, and they literally they created a
piece of vinyl for us.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I've got a gift for you. Here it is.
Speaker 6 (06:48):
It's the orknft C first season exclusive vinyl, which your
dolcet tones are all over Piney, so we wanted you
to have a copy.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
But the point of that piece.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Was another one of 's fantastic campaigns, and they've been
great this season with us.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
I mean the only thing missing from and that artwork
cover is your glorious face. So well we'll kind of
say we can get that fixed up, but no, it's
been brilliant. But it covers off, you know, all the
records that we've broken this season, so things like winning
the first six games. We went six and oho at
the start of season, as you well know, took five
hundred and twenty three minutes or thirty two minutes of
some one way or other for them to breach our
(07:27):
defense and to be scored out of a goal scored
against us. You know, the crowds have broken records again
and again and again all season in terms of we've
been the number one attended team in the A League.
We've had the highest attendance twice in terms of both
our home derbies. And then one of my favorite records
Pine Him is we were the fastest team to reach
fifty goals, did in twenty seven games, beating Sydney FCS
(07:50):
season and when they did in thirty and back in
that in those days, one young Terry mcflynn and Steve
Coroker played in that team, so there's a really nice
connection there to that. So yeah, yeah, it's been it's
been a it's been an epic season and so far,
and we certainly are all hoping and planning for it
to go just another sort of eight days, seven days,
(08:12):
whatever it is. So yeah, I would have chomped your
hand off. If you'd said it's going to be like
this at the start of the season.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Well, I appreciate the gift very much.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
It's wonderful and just another illustration of how the football
clubs has gone into areas that not a lot of
sporting franchises have. Terry Nick alluded to it. You played
for a long time alongside Steve Coricker. You've got a
long relationship with him. Do you and Steve Coricker always
agree on football matters?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
No, No, not at all. I think that's a excuse me.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
I think that's the beauty of our relationship is that
we can challenge each other. We did as players with
completely different players. He was very polished, very finesse, and
I was a bit more rugged, agricultural if you like,
similar to these days as well. So, but I think
we work well together. We did as he was a captain,
(08:59):
I was a vice captain. I took all from him
as the captain that's in the FC, and then he
was the assistant coach. I was director of football, he
was the head coach. We worked well together. We won
championships together. So this was a project that we wanted
to do together.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
You know.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
We took a time, Nick and myself interviewed eleven coaches
before we decided on Steve. We need to get the
right person. Steve's come in, He's embraced Auckland, his family
has as well, and he's really I think he had
a point to proof. He'd been at Sydney for such
a long time. He had been there for twenty years.
I was a little bit different on left and I
went to another club in Perth Glory. So I think
(09:34):
for Steve this was a real project that he wanted
to get right, and we all wanted to get right
from the start. So yeah, we've We've bought it heads
on many occasions on this journey, on players, on travel schedules,
on training days, on extra curricular activities for the players,
and the promotions and things when I don't know how
important it is that we have to connect with the community.
(09:55):
We have to service our partners. Steve obviously as a
head coach once the players tocked top in bed and
wrapped in cotton, will a lot of the time. But
we understand as well as his us, so we work
really well together. But yeah, look, we've we don't always
see iti, but we find a common grind and move forward.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, well obviously is working. And I think you're right.
Every relationship, every successful business needs challenge. You can't just
have yes men all the time, can you do? You
think the guys have been practicing their penalties this week.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
They have. I've witnessed at firsthand. There have been some
very good ones, some not so good, but yeah they have. Look,
we prepare for everything, Planny, So we've prepared for every eventuality.
We're hopeful and we're working towards it. It doesn't get to penalties.
We did a conversation with the apl yesterday, but which
(10:46):
end we wanted the penalties to be taking it if
it does go that way. Faith for rules is it's
a toss of a coin, So I think we need
a two headed coin today to get it at the
poor down.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
But yeah, look, we're.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
With the boys will practice a lot this week for
every eventuality. That the walk from the halfway line, that's
probably the most Daunton piece in terms of penalty. It's
not the actual kick itself, it's a walk from the
halfway down to the to the penalty spot.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
So yeah, we've practiced at all.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
The crazy thing is you haven't any practiced at all
during the season, not one penalty awarded for Auckland FC
this seat. I don't know whether raton precedent, but it's
certainly unusual, because really unusual.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
I mean it's I think that's part of the beauty
of the A League. It brings a few quirks out
every every season, and I guess that's just one of
them this season.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, all right, Well it's We've got a couple of
questions on text, which I'll get in just a moment.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Has Bill Folly been in touch this week?
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Yeah, he has spoken to Bill a couple of times,
and also spoke to Bill a number of times last
week too. And I think Bill Bill's you know, Bill
is a proven winner, really competitive man, and he cooled
He actually cooled me and and and Steve and Terry
as well before the trip outs in Melbourne last week.
And you just sort of just wanted us to relay
a story to the boys, which is about around, hey,
(12:04):
you know, you've had a great season, You've got to
really good position, but don't get ahead of yourself.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Don't start thinking about the Grand Fire, just thinking about
the next match.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
He actually told the story about the Vegas Golden Knights
in their first year, and he talked about how they
had such a successful year they got right through the
Stanley Cup final in their first year, won their first
final and then lost the next four, and he said
that he felt at that point that they've got a
bit ahead of himself, so wanted to use that as
motivation for the team.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Is kind of a kind of message to.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Give them a bit of clarity and focus on this
is what the job is, get that done and the
next one just happens. So yeah, he's he's really involved Bill,
and you know, he's super excited about where we are,
really really proud of what the team's done. Obviously, you know,
Bornemus coming to close their season. Vegas gold Knights are
out of the Stanley Cup now, so he's all in
(12:51):
an organefer at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
All right, I just wonder that actually again, without wanting
to put the cart before the horse, if there is
a Grand Final here next weekend, might he come down
for it?
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Yeah? I mean he said he has, he said he will.
Speaker 6 (13:03):
You know, Bill's trouble schedule, you can never pin down
and Saz one hundred percent locked in.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
But but yeah, I would love to see him down here.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I know definitely Robber's son and Courtney's daughter are going
to be down here and at the game as well,
so they'll definitely be representatives of the Family'd love.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
To see Bill here too, brilliant. Just a question on
text for you, Terry.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
I know we're focusing on the men's side of things,
but is there any update on the likelihood or not
of a women's side as early as next day league season?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
You've got the update on that, No, I'm not at
the moment.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Jesson more fully committed to a female program soon as
you are with a man's and we'll strategically we'll piece
it together the same way we did with the man's
We'll get a culture, it's approven winner, and we'll get
as many key Kii girls into the team as possible
if and when the time's right.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
All right, we'll look forward to more progress on that.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Just finally, how I'll ask you to be how do
you spend the ninety minutes of a match?
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Terry? Where are you during a game?
Speaker 6 (13:53):
Talk us through your pocon I answered, that is the
worst person in the world to watch football with. Genuinely
like he jittery, he sits down, jumps up his language.
Definitely need some port language warning on it. Honestly, one
of the worst people in the world to watch football with.
I've only managed a one half and then I just
(14:14):
have to leave it halftime.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Well, how does Nick Bigger watch a game? Named Terry mcflinn,
I think he's very relaxed. He enjoys a game. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Look, that's probably one piece of the week that I
can control, is when the players step on the on
the park. And yeah, I do get a little bit
emotionally involved. Shall we say, Today's going to be an
interesting one because I've actually got an order to watch
a game. I usually have a suite where I sit,
but we saw all the sweets today, so I think
I could be on the roof of the stadium watching
(14:45):
a game today. But yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Do get a little bit involved a petted sl.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, as Terry said, I mean there's been extra hospitality sold.
I think the Stacey Jones Lounde just being opened up.
There's all sorts of different spaces you've opened up. I
do need to congratulate you on your renovation this year.
The things that you've done that have been different, like this,
like this record, this partnership where they Incent like the
fact that you put a feist wheeling a beach for
goodness sake, a giant slide. I believe the slide bite
(15:15):
still be there. That hasn't been taken away.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
No, the slide is going to be there today.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
And I think that all comes to you know, it's
having a clear vision right at the staff, but I
think most importantly having some really good owners. So you know,
Bill and then locally and Or and Alley are huge
supporters of actually doing things differently and creating really exciting
and entertaining match that experience, and they've and throughout the
season they've backed us when we've come up with ideas
like Ferris Wheels the biggest in Lamb Beach, whatever it
(15:40):
may be. You know, to be honest that that slide
I think was one of the best investments we've ever done.
I think it costs about ten thousand dollars out of China,
and every single match is just packed full of kids
from the day dot with the gates open through to
an hour after kickoff, you know, And what it's what
it's led to is that you know, you've seen the
amazing crowds that we've had, but there's so many kids there,
(16:02):
which is really special for us. I think it's not
just with the with what we do in the fans
something like that, the players as well. You know, they
stay for an hour after the game, they do solfies,
they do they sign autographs, they mate and these kids,
you know, at eight, nine, ten years of age, again,
these amazing emotional connections with the game, with the players,
with the club, which hopefully will last in my lifetime.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
You know, yeah, I can only endorse that, like enough
to be down on the ground doing postmat for Sky
and I often see guys out there signing selfies well
well beyond when they probably have to. But it's a
decision they clearly make for the you know, for the
for the club.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Guys. So what do you what are we now? Nearly
half us twelve? So what will you do?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Now?
Speaker 2 (16:41):
What's your what's your agenda today?
Speaker 6 (16:42):
First, pony, I'll present you with your shirt for today
to week. So we've got we've got you a home
shirt with your name on the back of it. Oh
we lost a why so we just called you Pine.
But Pioneer is how I'll always know and love you.
So gift from us to you in the nine I
mean welcome to Auckland, mate.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
You so now you've handled that over, where will you
go now?
Speaker 6 (17:06):
So I've got a couple of other sort of things
to do before I head out to the stadium, and
then I will be sort of We've got our kickoff match,
a meeting we'll have with the league at about two thirty,
and I'll be there for this the afternoon.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
You know, I'll be over Now. We've got a lounge
because the Black Night Lounge.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
I'll be in there from when that opening, watch the
game there and then yeah, that'll be it.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
And Terry, you got to find yourself a place to
watch the game. But what do you what were you doing?
Do you are you? Do you treat match day the
same as you used to as a player or not? Really?
Speaker 5 (17:33):
No, not the simuls on as playing Penny. I'll go
back home now and get the team sheet ready, speak
to Steve, make sure everything's okay with him, and then
I'll go and pick Danny hay Up, picked Jonathan guld Up.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Then it's a car ride half and then the three
of us on make our way across to gold Media
probably about two thirty. We'll get there and just make
sure everything's relaxed. Everything's came for the boys when they
come in. And then that said, there'll be a video
session at four thirty, and then the boys are stuck
getting ready and one up, five, five seventeen.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
All the best guys. Look, congrats on getting us this far.
Let's hope there's another week of it. Let's hope we're
back here in a week's time chatting about a Grand Final.
But really appreciate you stopping in on match day. Terry mcfleln,
Nick BEECKA, thanks, thank you. It's Nick Becker, CEO of
Auckland FC. Terry mcflin, director of football for the football club.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
At Tyler Street Sport.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
This is Weekend Sport and a league semi final day today.
Leading us off to the more influential members of the
Auckland FC staff.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
CEO Nick Beckers, popt.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
In cad I, Nick Kay Piney, how are you very good?
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Great Devy with us Director of Football Terry mcflinn as well.
Thanks for joining us, Terry.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Very good.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Let's actually start with a general read of the vibe
and how you're both feeling. Just under six hours to
kick off. Terry, you're looking very relaxed.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I must say, yeah, it's been a good week. The
boys have trained really well this week. Good trip back
from Australia last week, a couple of days off for
the boys this week.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
They're prepared, they're ready.
Speaker 5 (00:47):
We had a good session yesterday at Gormdia Stadium, a
couple of video sessions as well, so the boys are relaxed,
looking forward to a full host of gold media today.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Just take us inside the minds of the players.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
They often say we want to play in the biggest games,
but there's also I guess the danger of playing the
game before it actually arrives. Do you ask them to
embrace the occasion or treat it like another week.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Look, I think you've got in bris the occasion. You know,
you can share away from the fact that it's a
semi final. I you know, we spoke to the boys
in Melbourne last week. We've got two hundred minutes of
football left for this season. You know, we started on
the first of July this season with twelve players. We've
got to this point. Everything that they've done in the gym,
on the trend and pitch games, travel all comes down
to this. And as a footballer, these are big games
(01:30):
that you want to play in, you want to be
a part of. We're extra seats in nice with given
more people in the in the stadium. So these are
the games that as a professional footballer you want to
be part of. And like I said, it's it's two
hundred minutes of football out of their life.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
And Nick, what about you, mate, you're looking relaxed as well.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I think everybody at the football club just always strikes
me as being very relaxed on the outside of right.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
If you just got a good poker face, pint of
good poker face pretty I'm not nervous, but we always
get a little bit kind of you know, the nerves
of the.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Air on a match day, but also super excited.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
It's a it is a you know, we're going to
be around for one season, but a big day, right,
This is a massive day for us, and I think
we all you know, kind of it's been the group,
what that message has been flying. You know, everybody is
up for it. You know, it's a Orcan's got a
glorious blue blue sky suns out, you know, go media
going to be packed with those, to Terry's point, extra seats,
and they're about twenty eight thousand, six hundred. In fact,
(02:18):
actually I can give you hot of the press because
I believe the A League released a few tickets last night.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
There's one hundred and seventy left there.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
So if anyone is listening and want to get down there,
they're better be very quick.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Okay, one hundred and seventy taking the I know it's
hard to actually give us the exact capacity, but is
it up near twenty nine.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
Just under I think twenty eight thousand, six hundred and something.
Oh good, yeah, yeah, it's brilliant.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So I mean the footballers can look after the football work.
What's what's the best use of your week leading into
a game?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Like this great question.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
I think what I've I mean, I've tended to do
is you kind of now's the time, like like sort
of Terry talks about the boys have done all the
hard work, our guys off the pitch, and then head
obviously worked super hard all season as well, and so
it's just a case of kind of directing traffic at
this point.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
You know, we all know how important it is.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
It's actually kind of a bit funny because the A
League come in and take over the final series, so
it's sort of like that mess of how involved you get,
you know in that type of thing. I've also had
to do a lot of media, but I kind of
feels that's quite you know, it's important this role, but
it's also taking the pressure off the other people are
getting asked, and I think everybody's getting pretty sick of
my voice in face.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
But you know, I don't mind it.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Well, I mean I get accused of that all the time.
Maybe the voice rather than the face talking it is
probably quite a good but Terry, You've played in a
lot of big football matches, a couple of a league
Grand finals O five six the first one Steve Korriker
got the winning goal that day twenty nineteen as well,
when it's extra time and penalties.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
How do players pass the time on a day like this?
How did you used to do it?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
Look, I think the players of creatures of habit so
they've got they all of their own routines. I think
it's actually probably a little bit more distracting when they're
at home. We tried to take a lot of the
pressure off the boys this week with leading into big ms.
A lot of destructions could be around tickets and things
they he for family and friends, and so we organized
that early in the week. To the next point. The
(04:05):
ticket and tim have been fantastic. They organize everything for
the players and stuff early in the week. So, yeah,
the boys will be relaxed. They'll have their own routine.
They'll they go for breakfast, they go for a walk
with their families, and then they'll have a little nap
this afternoon and then make the way to the stadium.
We'll do a video session before the warm up and
then as soon as as soon as you get in
the stadium, then that's you know, it's business as usual
(04:26):
from there.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
This is the biggest game of many of their lives
and hopefully next weekend will be bigger.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Again.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Let's lead there.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Off to one side. Do you sense any nerves? Do
you sense any anxiety in the playing group?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Surely there must be some.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
No, really, Look, we've got a mental performance coach him
his partner who does a lot of work with the
players in we're leaving the stress and then they're leaving
anxiety and taking that away and at the end of
the day. So we started this in the first of
July as a playing group, and this is what we
work towards. So if it's if you set a goal
and you work towards it, then you shouldn't be afraid
of it, walk towards it.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
So July one was when using it at your benchmark,
the opening day of the season, I do the radio
show from GO Media Stadium. Actually, you both well, we were
among my first guests. That was thirty one weeks ago today,
thirty one weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Incredible, amazing.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I remember you both being positive, optimistic about the season here,
as you rightly should have been.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Did you realistically expect this season?
Speaker 6 (05:23):
I mean it's definitely exceeded expectations bin Any. But look,
we knew right from the start that we were going
to have a competitive side on the pitch. We'd worked
really hard to connect with the community. We didn't quite
know it was going to be as successful as was.
We didn't know we'd sell out four games. We didn't
know we'd have three hundred thousand organized fans through. So
that's blown us away. I mean, it's it's but there's
(05:43):
been a a it's been one of those seasons that
don't come around often in football, right, and the journey
so far and it hasn't done yet to tear his
point on the tournaments. It's still there's still a little
bit of football ahead of us and the really exciting part.
But you know, seasons like this don't come acround around often,
and when they do, it's just you take the ride
and you go with that. You know, everybody has worked
super hard to get where we are. It's sort of
(06:05):
you know, to your point earlier, we look quite relaxed,
but everybody has been, you know, on point for the
whole the whole piece, both on the pitch and off
the pitch, of the football department and and all of.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Their head office as well.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
So yeah, we had a and that goes down to
some amazing Not only the fans have been incredible, but
some of our commercial partners have been We just had
to ask me what I've been doing this week. I've
been out a lot, We've had a lot of functions,
We've had a lot of formal for things to go to.
But one of my favorites was on Thursday night we
went to a little record bar and ponsonby ARMI I
(06:36):
think it's called and A and Z how to Record
Breaking Party for us, and they literally they created a
piece of vinyl for us.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I've got a gift for you. Here it is.
Speaker 6 (06:48):
It's the orknft C first season exclusive vinyl, which your
dolcet tones are all over Piney, so we wanted you
to have a copy.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
But the point of that piece.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Was another one of 's fantastic campaigns, and they've been
great this season with us.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
I mean the only thing missing from and that artwork
cover is your glorious face. So well we'll kind of
say we can get that fixed up, but no, it's
been brilliant. But it covers off, you know, all the
records that we've broken this season, so things like winning
the first six games. We went six and oho at
the start of season, as you well know, took five
hundred and twenty three minutes or thirty two minutes of
some one way or other for them to breach our
(07:27):
defense and to be scored out of a goal scored
against us. You know, the crowds have broken records again
and again and again all season in terms of we've
been the number one attended team in the A League.
We've had the highest attendance twice in terms of both
our home derbies. And then one of my favorite records
Pine Him is we were the fastest team to reach
fifty goals, did in twenty seven games, beating Sydney FCS
(07:50):
season and when they did in thirty and back in
that in those days, one young Terry mcflynn and Steve
Coroker played in that team, so there's a really nice
connection there to that. So yeah, yeah, it's been it's
been a it's been an epic season and so far,
and we certainly are all hoping and planning for it
to go just another sort of eight days, seven days,
(08:12):
whatever it is. So yeah, I would have chomped your
hand off. If you'd said it's going to be like
this at the start of the season.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Well, I appreciate the gift very much.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
It's wonderful and just another illustration of how the football
clubs has gone into areas that not a lot of
sporting franchises have. Terry Nick alluded to it. You played
for a long time alongside Steve Coricker. You've got a
long relationship with him. Do you and Steve Coricker always
agree on football matters?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
No, No, not at all. I think that's a excuse me.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
I think that's the beauty of our relationship is that
we can challenge each other. We did as players with
completely different players. He was very polished, very finesse, and
I was a bit more rugged, agricultural if you like,
similar to these days as well. So, but I think
we work well together. We did as he was a captain,
(08:59):
I was a vice captain. I took all from him
as the captain that's in the FC, and then he
was the assistant coach. I was director of football, he
was the head coach. We worked well together. We won
championships together. So this was a project that we wanted
to do together.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
You know.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
We took a time, Nick and myself interviewed eleven coaches
before we decided on Steve. We need to get the
right person. Steve's come in, He's embraced Auckland, his family
has as well, and he's really I think he had
a point to proof. He'd been at Sydney for such
a long time. He had been there for twenty years.
I was a little bit different on left and I
went to another club in Perth Glory. So I think
(09:34):
for Steve this was a real project that he wanted
to get right, and we all wanted to get right
from the start. So yeah, we've We've bought it heads
on many occasions on this journey, on players, on travel schedules,
on training days, on extra curricular activities for the players,
and the promotions and things when I don't know how
important it is that we have to connect with the community.
(09:55):
We have to service our partners. Steve obviously as a
head coach once the players tocked top in bed and
wrapped in cotton, will a lot of the time. But
we understand as well as his us, so we work
really well together. But yeah, look, we've we don't always
see iti, but we find a common grind and move forward.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, well obviously is working. And I think you're right.
Every relationship, every successful business needs challenge. You can't just
have yes men all the time, can you do? You
think the guys have been practicing their penalties this week.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
They have. I've witnessed at firsthand. There have been some
very good ones, some not so good, but yeah they have. Look,
we prepare for everything, Planny, So we've prepared for every eventuality.
We're hopeful and we're working towards it. It doesn't get to penalties.
We did a conversation with the apl yesterday, but which
(10:46):
end we wanted the penalties to be taking it if
it does go that way. Faith for rules is it's
a toss of a coin, So I think we need
a two headed coin today to get it at the
poor down.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
But yeah, look, we're.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
With the boys will practice a lot this week for
every eventuality. That the walk from the halfway line, that's
probably the most Daunton piece in terms of penalty. It's
not the actual kick itself, it's a walk from the
halfway down to the to the penalty spot.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
So yeah, we've practiced at all.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
The crazy thing is you haven't any practiced at all
during the season, not one penalty awarded for Auckland FC
this seat. I don't know whether raton precedent, but it's
certainly unusual, because really unusual.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
I mean it's I think that's part of the beauty
of the A League. It brings a few quirks out
every every season, and I guess that's just one of
them this season.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, all right, Well it's We've got a couple of
questions on text, which I'll get in just a moment.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Has Bill Folly been in touch this week?
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Yeah, he has spoken to Bill a couple of times,
and also spoke to Bill a number of times last
week too. And I think Bill Bill's you know, Bill
is a proven winner, really competitive man, and he cooled
He actually cooled me and and and Steve and Terry
as well before the trip outs in Melbourne last week.
And you just sort of just wanted us to relay
a story to the boys, which is about around, hey,
(12:04):
you know, you've had a great season, You've got to
really good position, but don't get ahead of yourself.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Don't start thinking about the Grand Fire, just thinking about
the next match.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
He actually told the story about the Vegas Golden Knights
in their first year, and he talked about how they
had such a successful year they got right through the
Stanley Cup final in their first year, won their first
final and then lost the next four, and he said
that he felt at that point that they've got a
bit ahead of himself, so wanted to use that as
motivation for the team.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Is kind of a kind of message to.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Give them a bit of clarity and focus on this
is what the job is, get that done and the
next one just happens. So yeah, he's he's really involved Bill,
and you know, he's super excited about where we are,
really really proud of what the team's done. Obviously, you know,
Bornemus coming to close their season. Vegas gold Knights are
out of the Stanley Cup now, so he's all in
(12:51):
an organefer at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
All right, I just wonder that actually again, without wanting
to put the cart before the horse, if there is
a Grand Final here next weekend, might he come down
for it?
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Yeah? I mean he said he has, he said he will.
Speaker 6 (13:03):
You know, Bill's trouble schedule, you can never pin down
and Saz one hundred percent locked in.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
But but yeah, I would love to see him down here.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I know definitely Robber's son and Courtney's daughter are going
to be down here and at the game as well,
so they'll definitely be representatives of the Family'd love.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
To see Bill here too, brilliant. Just a question on
text for you, Terry.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
I know we're focusing on the men's side of things,
but is there any update on the likelihood or not
of a women's side as early as next day league season?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
You've got the update on that, No, I'm not at
the moment.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Jesson more fully committed to a female program soon as
you are with a man's and we'll strategically we'll piece
it together the same way we did with the man's
We'll get a culture, it's approven winner, and we'll get
as many key Kii girls into the team as possible
if and when the time's right.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
All right, we'll look forward to more progress on that.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Just finally, how I'll ask you to be how do
you spend the ninety minutes of a match?
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Terry? Where are you during a game?
Speaker 6 (13:53):
Talk us through your pocon I answered, that is the
worst person in the world to watch football with. Genuinely
like he jittery, he sits down, jumps up his language.
Definitely need some port language warning on it. Honestly, one
of the worst people in the world to watch football with.
I've only managed a one half and then I just
(14:14):
have to leave it halftime.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Well, how does Nick Bigger watch a game? Named Terry mcflinn,
I think he's very relaxed. He enjoys a game. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Look, that's probably one piece of the week that I
can control, is when the players step on the on
the park. And yeah, I do get a little bit
emotionally involved. Shall we say, Today's going to be an
interesting one because I've actually got an order to watch
a game. I usually have a suite where I sit,
but we saw all the sweets today, so I think
I could be on the roof of the stadium watching
(14:45):
a game today. But yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Do get a little bit involved a petted sl.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, as Terry said, I mean there's been extra hospitality sold.
I think the Stacey Jones Lounde just being opened up.
There's all sorts of different spaces you've opened up. I
do need to congratulate you on your renovation this year.
The things that you've done that have been different, like this,
like this record, this partnership where they Incent like the
fact that you put a feist wheeling a beach for
goodness sake, a giant slide. I believe the slide bite
(15:15):
still be there. That hasn't been taken away.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
No, the slide is going to be there today.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
And I think that all comes to you know, it's
having a clear vision right at the staff, but I
think most importantly having some really good owners. So you know,
Bill and then locally and Or and Alley are huge
supporters of actually doing things differently and creating really exciting
and entertaining match that experience, and they've and throughout the
season they've backed us when we've come up with ideas
like Ferris Wheels the biggest in Lamb Beach, whatever it
(15:40):
may be. You know, to be honest that that slide
I think was one of the best investments we've ever done.
I think it costs about ten thousand dollars out of China,
and every single match is just packed full of kids
from the day dot with the gates open through to
an hour after kickoff, you know, And what it's what
it's led to is that you know, you've seen the
amazing crowds that we've had, but there's so many kids there,
(16:02):
which is really special for us. I think it's not
just with the with what we do in the fans
something like that, the players as well. You know, they
stay for an hour after the game, they do solfies,
they do they sign autographs, they mate and these kids,
you know, at eight, nine, ten years of age, again,
these amazing emotional connections with the game, with the players,
with the club, which hopefully will last in my lifetime.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
You know, yeah, I can only endorse that, like enough
to be down on the ground doing postmat for Sky
and I often see guys out there signing selfies well
well beyond when they probably have to. But it's a
decision they clearly make for the you know, for the
for the club.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Guys. So what do you what are we now? Nearly
half us twelve? So what will you do?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Now?
Speaker 2 (16:41):
What's your what's your agenda today?
Speaker 6 (16:42):
First, pony, I'll present you with your shirt for today
to week. So we've got we've got you a home
shirt with your name on the back of it. Oh
we lost a why so we just called you Pine.
But Pioneer is how I'll always know and love you.
So gift from us to you in the nine I
mean welcome to Auckland, mate.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
You so now you've handled that over, where will you
go now?
Speaker 6 (17:06):
So I've got a couple of other sort of things
to do before I head out to the stadium, and
then I will be sort of We've got our kickoff match,
a meeting we'll have with the league at about two thirty,
and I'll be there for this the afternoon.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
You know, I'll be over Now. We've got a lounge
because the Black Night Lounge.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
I'll be in there from when that opening, watch the
game there and then yeah, that'll be it.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
And Terry, you got to find yourself a place to
watch the game. But what do you what were you doing?
Do you are you? Do you treat match day the
same as you used to as a player or not? Really?
Speaker 5 (17:33):
No, not the simuls on as playing Penny. I'll go
back home now and get the team sheet ready, speak
to Steve, make sure everything's okay with him, and then
I'll go and pick Danny hay Up, picked Jonathan guld Up.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Then it's a car ride half and then the three
of us on make our way across to gold Media
probably about two thirty. We'll get there and just make
sure everything's relaxed. Everything's came for the boys when they
come in. And then that said, there'll be a video
session at four thirty, and then the boys are stuck
getting ready and one up, five, five seventeen.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
All the best guys. Look, congrats on getting us this far.
Let's hope there's another week of it. Let's hope we're
back here in a week's time chatting about a Grand Final.
But really appreciate you stopping in on match day. Terry mcfleln,
Nick BEECKA, thanks, thank you. It's Nick Becker, CEO of
Auckland FC. Terry mcflin, director of football for the football club.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
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