After months of speculation and market research, the incoming Auckland A-League franchise officially has their name: Auckland FC.
NZ Herald had reported that the final six contenders were: Black Knights FC, FC Auckland, AFC Black Knights, Auckland FC, Auckland Black Knights, and Auckland Volcanoes.
The latter was an option that appeared frequently in Facebook fan groups, with nods to Auckland's geographical character, while an official fan survey revealed that the 'Black Knights' name would be met with disapproval by a portion of local fans who remember the region's failed first foray into the Australian competition with the New Zealand Knights.
Along with the team name, Auckland FC also unveiled its inaugural shield and playing kit at a launch event in downtown Auckland on Thursday.
Auckland sports teams have traditionally worn royal blue, and the newest A-League club follows suit with the use of electric blue as their primary colour. The shield itself features a tribute to Rangitoto Island with an ascending 'A' for Auckland in the centre, plus the initials 'AFC' for Auckland FC.
“We are building the elite professional team that Auckland deserves. We want to be successful on the pitch, and we want to create a club that represents Tāmaki Makaurau for generations to come," club CEO Nick Becker stated.
“More Kiwis play football than any other sport and we have seen first-hand how much Auckland has embraced football. Today is just the beginning of a very exciting journey and we can’t wait to build the future together with our community and our fans.”
But while Auckland FC is the official name, 'Black Knights' does exist as a nickname for the side, think Sydney FC and their 'Sky Blues' tag. Black Knight imagery is present in the shield with a visor and stripes present, linking itself to club founder Bill Foley and his Black Knight Football Group.
Foley hit the ground running when his Vegas Golden Knights entered the National Hockey League in 2017-18, bucking the trend of expansion teams performing poorly in their early years by qualifying for the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. The team owner will be looking to bring that level of success to the A-League expansion club.
"What I love about football is that it has an incredible power to inspire anyone, no matter their age or background. We have a track record of building successful professional sports teams and just like we did in Las Vegas, I saw a unique opportunity to bring a new A-League football club with big ambitions to Auckland and take it to the world stage," Foley said.
“We can’t wait to get started, nurture talent, accelerate the pathway for promising players here and overseas, and showcase Auckland and its culture.”
Led by former Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica, Auckland FC will join the A-League men's competition from the 2024-25 season onwards, with twelve home games confirmed for Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, with plans to launch a women's side the following year.
“I’m looking forward to helping build the club from the ground up, foster a strong attacking team known for their entertaining style of football, and attract some of the best talent to grow with the club," Corica said.
"We’ll have some exciting player announcements to make from June 2024.”