Created by Immigrants - Refugees Welcome

"Auckland City opens its pre-season preparations with its annual friendly showdown with a Refugee XI at the Croatian Cultural Club this Sunday...

City coach Ramon Tribulietx said the match promoted the club’s community profile and helped build stronger relationships with Auckland’s diverse migrant population for whom football is a passion.  "Auckland City is aware of the social situation in our community and we are very happy to give our support in a positive way," he said."

ACFC v Refugee XI - McLeod Road, Henderson, Sunday 30 September, 2pm

Read more here:- City start with All Refugee hit out

Alerta Network:- www.alerta-network.org

Punk is not dead

"FC United are perhaps the UK football scene’s best example of ‘punk football’, although you could argue that non-league football is becoming a burgeoning punk scene in itself. Punk music was formed as a rebellion against the commercialism of music; many football fans are now turning their back on the inflated ticket prices, expensive merchandising and the ‘modern era’ of post 1992 football and spending their hard-earned cash at their local non-league teams, where they can buy a season ticket for the price of two match tickets."

Read more here:- Anarchy in the United: 'Punk Football' and FC United

a grass-roots club dies

"...[i]ncreasingly people want success, and it will appear they'll take it at any cost.  As seen by the ‘experiment’ at Rovers, and the rebranding of Cardiff City, just the promise of success, no matter how flimsy, is enough to make many tuck their morals away in a drawer and tug their forelocks for the new lords of the manor.  I just can’t relate to that.  Of course people will say “well, that’s football”, but every time you say that a grass-roots club dies.

...

You can have success without relentlessly going on about the need for income to compete.  In the past year Worcester, Rossington and the Belles have seen crowds increase significantly, and it has come from striving to engage with the community, of encouraging their population to be part of what they’re doing.  And, as a result, I have found much greater enjoyment these past twelve months with them, and I felt a part of their triumphs much more than I felt part of Rovers’ wins.

The new season is now a month away, and for the first time in years I am finding it really hard to get excited about watching my team again.  I ceased to have any more than a passing interest in football’s top flight years ago, and now Rovers are starting to slip into the same pigeon-hole in which I’ve long placed the Premier League, of being an unrelatable by-product of a sport I still love."

Read more here:- Out of Love - On finding it hard to follow your club

Look no advertising

How great do football kits look without sponsorship splashed across the front?

Central United 50th Jubilee Jersey
$100 - available at the clubrooms (or contact me and I can put you in touch with the right person).

See more photos and read more about the kit here:- Central United Facebook Page

At the Clarendon Hotel, Dunedin 11/03/2012

Business FC

Lyall Gorman on the new FFA owned and run West Sydney franchise:

"Many fans have asked why we have taken our time in announcing the official club name, logo, colours and home venue ...[t]he major reason for that is that as with any new business, especially as one as important as this one is to everyone, the early key decisions of a business are critical for its successful future and time simply must be taken to get them right."

Read more here:- Business FC

Rescuing The World's Most Vulnerable

"The event was organised by SAFCA in association with Tear Fund, The NZ Soccer Shop, Liberty Christian Church and Auckland City FC.   All proceeds from the day were donated to Tear Fund's Choose Life, Rescue Mothers and Children Programme.

Along with former All White Harry Ngata the launch was attended by Auckland City strikers Manel Exposito and Emiliano Tade along with Auckland City's general manager Terry Kennelly who brought along the Oceania Champions League trophy for the day also.

...

"We really value the impact that Auckland City FC has had on our events to date and it is a privilege to be involved with the club.   Hopefully in the next couple of years we can see some of our top players wear the navy and white of the club's youth team and then hopefully the first team also." [SAFCA founder and Head of Football Matt Jorgensen]"

Read more here:- ACFC players help with SAFCA launch

TEAR Fund Choose LIFE - Rescue mothers and children:- Choose LIFE projects rescuing the world's most vulnerable