ES NL ROUND 4 e programme

This process would have been very difficult
had long standing “rivalries” existed
amongst our clubs. I’m sure historically
there has been some tensions, but the
beauty of the kiwi football experience is
that although we can look to bruise each
other on the playing field, we have an
inbuilt brotherhood due to the underdog
status football has had for so long in
this country. The football community is a
small and reasonably tight knit one. We
all know people at other clubs we have
shared battles, beer, stories and even
the odd tragedy, and because of that we
enjoy their successes and sympathise
with their failures irrespective of how our
own team is doing.
Todays’ game is no different. For years
I have been travelling to Fred Taylor to
watch Waitakere, often because they
have been the only game in town. I even
sat on the Waitakere Board for a couple
of years and enjoyed immensely the involvement
of the players and admin staff
who are all very dedicated “football mad”
people. Likewise the respect garnered
having watched Auckland City for so
many years is immense. Their achievements
for football in this country can’t
be understated and many of the games
I have watched at Kiwitea Street will live
long in my memory. So now that we are
in the same league as these teams, am
I supposed to develop an instant dislike
after so many years of enjoyment? Well
it is just not going to happen. Of course
I will want us to beat them on any given
day, and if it is an advantage to us for
them to lose against another team, I will
want them to lose. But the reality is if a
game is being played and the result has
no impact on us, then I will want another
Auckland team to be successful.
That brings me to todays’ game. A warm
welcome to Chris Milicich, Jake Butler
and the rest of the team. I have known
Chris for many years, he also coached
Suburbs Winter Premier League team a
few years back with his usual vigour and
enthusiasm. I’m hopeful Tom Shaw will
play today, a young man I have tremendous
respect for who captained our
Winter Premier League team the past
two seasons. I am disappointed that Tom
is not playing for us, but the restrictions
we put on our coach with respect to the
75%+ NZ citizens in our squad made
that difficult. For those here who are
watching their first NL game because of
its location, I hope you enjoy it enough
to continue watching our games and
supporting us for the rest of the season.
For those who have only ever supported
teams playing against Eastern Suburbs,
I am hopeful the energy and freshness
we bring to the league and Auckland
Football is received positively. If you are
not necessarily for us, you don’t have to
be against us!
Chris
Coaches Corner
It’s a pleasure to welcome Chris Milicich and his Waitakere United
team to William Green Domain.
We are looking forward to playing one of the most successful Clubs in
the League to see how we compare.
Chris has assembled a strong squad, led by the Waitakere icon player:
Jake Butler, so with the caliber of both teams on the field today we
should be in for a fast game with plenty of skills on display today.
Obviously our game in Hamilton last weekend was disappointing, but
this is a League where the teams are separated by fine margins, and
at this stage of the 2016/17 competition the results show this year to
be potentially the most competitive to date.
It is good to bring National League football to Fencibles home
ground: William Green Domain, we hope to see a good crowd and an
enthralling game.
Malcom McPherson
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