August 26, 2024 • 7 mins
The new A-League men's season is less than two months away - and all eyes are on Auckland's newest offering.
Ahead of their first match this October, Auckland FC's Terry McFlynn joined Piney to discuss the new club's progress.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Waldegrave
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The new A League Mens season is now less than
two months away and the league's newest edition. Auckland FC
are going to play their first match on the nineteenth
of October against Brisbane at Mount Smart. The first derby
between Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix is in round three,
that is in Wellington. Auckland f C's Director of football
is Terry mcflinney joins us now, Terry, thanks for taking
(00:34):
the time.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
How do you reckon your place? What I'm now just under.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Eight weeks out from your first game of a league football?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Yeah, look, Jess, we're in a really good place. I
think we spoke back in November about the strategy of
the club and given as many New Zealand players as
possible into the group, given some young players from Aukland
in particular chance. We've got twenty one players signed, seventeen
from New Zealand, fourteen of those are from Auckland, so
we're in a very very good Police recruitment's still going
(01:01):
with the visa players to come in and we've just
got back from a troop into Australia for a preseason camp.
Who is very very pleasing. So yeah, we're well pleased
as we stand at the minute.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
You did, you said exactly that to me, You said, look,
we are very keen to promote key we talent.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Did you ever deviate from that?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Did you always feel us though you would have the
cattle available to you that you needed.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Yeah, uh, Look, we took our time. We came across
early part of the year this year, watched a lot
of the local games. We went to Egypt to meet
with the All Whites team to see how many of
the boys wanted to come back. Year one, year two,
where the level of interest was We didn't v it
from the plane at all, Jason, and we're very very
happy where we've landed.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So Japanese defender Hrocki Sakai is currently your only import?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Will you fill? Will you fill the other four before
the season starts? Is that the plan?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
There's the plans, isn't it? And we're very much signed
the track with a few import players at the minute.
So yeah, look, we're very very happy where we're at
in terms of the squad over'reall. And then we're progressing
now with the visa players.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Are there any positions that you think you're a little lighting.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Look, we've always we'll always have two players for every
position and then have a couple of utility players across
the group as well. So there is a couple of
positions where we're we've only got one player in those
positions at the minute. So they're the areas that will
be looking to fill.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Like when you are looking for those important players, I
mean you must get I don't know, dozens hundreds of
players to look at, you know, suggested to you by
agents or whatever it is recommended to you.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
How do you make the decision? Terry?
Speaker 2 (02:36):
How do you how do you say, Okay, that might
be a guy who would fet what we're all about.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Yeah, we've always got a recruitment strategy and recruitment plan.
Our recruitment is based on two things just confidence. First
and foremost, we need to know that the players come
in here for the right reasons. They want to benefit
usould in football, they want to benefit the Air League,
and they want to progress some careers. The second part
is obviously at a level where they're going to enhance
(03:02):
the group and improve the group, and it's important for
us especially the morn players that are coming from a
professional level, whether that be in Europe, South America, wherever.
It maybe that the young players that we've got in
the group can learn from them and see what it
is to be a professional football and behave and act
on and off the pitch.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, those two things, you know, you summarize a perfect player,
competence and character. Competence I would imagine as easier to
judge than character. I mean, you're gonna get highlights tapes
and say, Okay, that guy's got a bit about them.
How do you how do you make sure you're getting
the right characters? Do you reference check? How does that work?
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Yeah, we did a lot of reference checks. We've do
a lot of past history where the players have played,
speak to the x teammates, coaches, staff that may have
worked to that player at various different clubs. Social media,
you know, you can tell a lot about someone's personality
by the things they're posted on on social media. So
there's a lot of lot goes into it to make
sure we get the right people.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Can you talk us through the series of events which
led to Alex Paulson arriving at the club on loan
from Bournemouth.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yeah, look, it was a it was a fun call
from Bournemouth to myself and Nick our CEO asking about
Alex that their recruitment team and scouts identified Alex as
a player Premier League club. There's a conversation round why
we didn't go after Alex as a club when we
said that there's no domestic transfer system in the league here.
(04:27):
That was sort of where it ended from our part.
Bournemouth tried on with their negotiations with Wellington, signed a
player and then we got a notification that there was
to be a change in the kiss Hers rule and
would we'd be open to explore and as long as
we've stayed within the rules and by all means we're
open to explore in it.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
It has been a funny situation to navigate with. I mean,
we all know the background Terry, you know he was
he was a fair favorite at Wellington. Phoenix hit it
off to Bournemouth all of a sudden, is it is
it Wellington's newest rivals. Has there been any any difficulty
navigating the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
For the club or for the player himself?
Speaker 4 (05:02):
No, look for us. It was again was driven by
Bournemouth and Wellington. It was transaction between two clubs and
then obviously when the loan agreement came through to us
and where we sat with it, we spoke to Alex
if it was something that he would like to explore.
Bournemouth obviously had their conversation with Alex as well in
the year. One would be alone opportunity for him, and
(05:23):
obviously being an Oxland boy, there was a lot of
synergy and a lot of things that ticked a lot
of boxes for everyone. And yeah, we're you know, again
the best goalkeeper of the competition. Would delighted to have
them on board of us.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
How much you're looking forward to the derby matches, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Very much so. Jacent I was fortunate enough to be
involved in the Sydney Derby when that started a few
years back. At just the energy and the buzz that
you know, you could feel around the city and particular
in this situation, around the whole country. You know, he
had two professional clubs in the country. So I think
it's something that all football fans in this country is
embracing and really relishing. And you know, when we speak
(06:01):
to the supporters here and in Oakland's all they talk
about is the Derby and how they can't wait to
have for the first time ever two professional teams playing
in a y in the country. So it's it's going
to be a fantastic occasion the first one, you know.
I really hope that all the fans come out like
Wellington had in the semi final against Melbourne and phill
up the stadium. So yeah, we're really looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
And you've arrived in the in the Auckland football ecosystem,
I guess we can call it how hard have you
worked to make connections with the existing amateur clubs in
your region?
Speaker 4 (06:33):
For us, it's very very important. You know, we said
that from day one that we wanted to be a
team for the community, from the community. You know, a
lot of the players that we've signed again have come
from the Oak come from the local competition here. So
we've been to every ground, We've met every president, we've
had all the club meetings, you know, the players that
(06:55):
we signed with the train of competition, we put that
money back into the clubs. For us as a boy
not just having an a league team at a professional level,
but it's actually providing the service to football in the
whole region. I'm making sure that. You know, these kids
coming through that are seventy ninety ten years of today,
they've got a professional club to play for more in
five to six, seven, eight years, so yeah, and all
(07:16):
the clubs have been fantastic. You know, we've been really
welcoming and we've actually taken a few trainentations to read
the rhymes as well, which has been fantastic. So we're
really enjoying it.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Good stuff. You're doing all the right things. I really
like the look of the roster. The next eight weeks
can't go past quickly enough as far as football fans
are concerned. Terry, thanks for taking my call, mate, and
look forward to catching up again when the season rolls.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Around, No problem, Jason, my pleasure.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Thanks my that's Terry mcflunt, director of football at Auckland FC.
The season starts for them on Sunday, October nineteen.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Waldegrave
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The new A League Mens season is now less than
two months away and the league's newest edition. Auckland FC
are going to play their first match on the nineteenth
of October against Brisbane at Mount Smart. The first derby
between Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix is in round three,
that is in Wellington. Auckland f C's Director of football
is Terry mcflinney joins us now, Terry, thanks for taking
(00:34):
the time.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
How do you reckon your place? What I'm now just under.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Eight weeks out from your first game of a league football?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Yeah, look, Jess, we're in a really good place. I
think we spoke back in November about the strategy of
the club and given as many New Zealand players as
possible into the group, given some young players from Aukland
in particular chance. We've got twenty one players signed, seventeen
from New Zealand, fourteen of those are from Auckland, so
we're in a very very good Police recruitment's still going
(01:01):
with the visa players to come in and we've just
got back from a troop into Australia for a preseason camp.
Who is very very pleasing. So yeah, we're well pleased
as we stand at the minute.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
You did, you said exactly that to me, You said, look,
we are very keen to promote key we talent.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Did you ever deviate from that?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Did you always feel us though you would have the
cattle available to you that you needed.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Yeah, uh, Look, we took our time. We came across
early part of the year this year, watched a lot
of the local games. We went to Egypt to meet
with the All Whites team to see how many of
the boys wanted to come back. Year one, year two,
where the level of interest was We didn't v it
from the plane at all, Jason, and we're very very
happy where we've landed.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So Japanese defender Hrocki Sakai is currently your only import?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Will you fill? Will you fill the other four before
the season starts? Is that the plan?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
There's the plans, isn't it? And we're very much signed
the track with a few import players at the minute.
So yeah, look, we're very very happy where we're at
in terms of the squad over'reall. And then we're progressing
now with the visa players.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Are there any positions that you think you're a little lighting.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Look, we've always we'll always have two players for every
position and then have a couple of utility players across
the group as well. So there is a couple of
positions where we're we've only got one player in those
positions at the minute. So they're the areas that will
be looking to fill.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Like when you are looking for those important players, I
mean you must get I don't know, dozens hundreds of
players to look at, you know, suggested to you by
agents or whatever it is recommended to you.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
How do you make the decision? Terry?
Speaker 2 (02:36):
How do you how do you say, Okay, that might
be a guy who would fet what we're all about.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Yeah, we've always got a recruitment strategy and recruitment plan.
Our recruitment is based on two things just confidence. First
and foremost, we need to know that the players come
in here for the right reasons. They want to benefit
usould in football, they want to benefit the Air League,
and they want to progress some careers. The second part
is obviously at a level where they're going to enhance
(03:02):
the group and improve the group, and it's important for
us especially the morn players that are coming from a
professional level, whether that be in Europe, South America, wherever.
It maybe that the young players that we've got in
the group can learn from them and see what it
is to be a professional football and behave and act
on and off the pitch.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, those two things, you know, you summarize a perfect player,
competence and character. Competence I would imagine as easier to
judge than character. I mean, you're gonna get highlights tapes
and say, Okay, that guy's got a bit about them.
How do you how do you make sure you're getting
the right characters? Do you reference check? How does that work?
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Yeah, we did a lot of reference checks. We've do
a lot of past history where the players have played,
speak to the x teammates, coaches, staff that may have
worked to that player at various different clubs. Social media,
you know, you can tell a lot about someone's personality
by the things they're posted on on social media. So
there's a lot of lot goes into it to make
sure we get the right people.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Can you talk us through the series of events which
led to Alex Paulson arriving at the club on loan
from Bournemouth.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yeah, look, it was a it was a fun call
from Bournemouth to myself and Nick our CEO asking about
Alex that their recruitment team and scouts identified Alex as
a player Premier League club. There's a conversation round why
we didn't go after Alex as a club when we
said that there's no domestic transfer system in the league here.
(04:27):
That was sort of where it ended from our part.
Bournemouth tried on with their negotiations with Wellington, signed a
player and then we got a notification that there was
to be a change in the kiss Hers rule and
would we'd be open to explore and as long as
we've stayed within the rules and by all means we're
open to explore in it.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
It has been a funny situation to navigate with. I mean,
we all know the background Terry, you know he was
he was a fair favorite at Wellington. Phoenix hit it
off to Bournemouth all of a sudden, is it is
it Wellington's newest rivals. Has there been any any difficulty
navigating the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
For the club or for the player himself?
Speaker 4 (05:02):
No, look for us. It was again was driven by
Bournemouth and Wellington. It was transaction between two clubs and
then obviously when the loan agreement came through to us
and where we sat with it, we spoke to Alex
if it was something that he would like to explore.
Bournemouth obviously had their conversation with Alex as well in
the year. One would be alone opportunity for him, and
(05:23):
obviously being an Oxland boy, there was a lot of
synergy and a lot of things that ticked a lot
of boxes for everyone. And yeah, we're you know, again
the best goalkeeper of the competition. Would delighted to have
them on board of us.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
How much you're looking forward to the derby matches, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Very much so. Jacent I was fortunate enough to be
involved in the Sydney Derby when that started a few
years back. At just the energy and the buzz that
you know, you could feel around the city and particular
in this situation, around the whole country. You know, he
had two professional clubs in the country. So I think
it's something that all football fans in this country is
embracing and really relishing. And you know, when we speak
(06:01):
to the supporters here and in Oakland's all they talk
about is the Derby and how they can't wait to
have for the first time ever two professional teams playing
in a y in the country. So it's it's going
to be a fantastic occasion the first one, you know.
I really hope that all the fans come out like
Wellington had in the semi final against Melbourne and phill
up the stadium. So yeah, we're really looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
And you've arrived in the in the Auckland football ecosystem,
I guess we can call it how hard have you
worked to make connections with the existing amateur clubs in
your region?
Speaker 4 (06:33):
For us, it's very very important. You know, we said
that from day one that we wanted to be a
team for the community, from the community. You know, a
lot of the players that we've signed again have come
from the Oak come from the local competition here. So
we've been to every ground, We've met every president, we've
had all the club meetings, you know, the players that
(06:55):
we signed with the train of competition, we put that
money back into the clubs. For us as a boy
not just having an a league team at a professional level,
but it's actually providing the service to football in the
whole region. I'm making sure that. You know, these kids
coming through that are seventy ninety ten years of today,
they've got a professional club to play for more in
five to six, seven, eight years, so yeah, and all
(07:16):
the clubs have been fantastic. You know, we've been really
welcoming and we've actually taken a few trainentations to read
the rhymes as well, which has been fantastic. So we're
really enjoying it.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Good stuff. You're doing all the right things. I really
like the look of the roster. The next eight weeks
can't go past quickly enough as far as football fans
are concerned. Terry, thanks for taking my call, mate, and
look forward to catching up again when the season rolls.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Around, No problem, Jason, my pleasure.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Thanks my that's Terry mcflunt, director of football at Auckland FC.
The season starts for them on Sunday, October nineteen.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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