Three former All Whites; Winston Reid, Tim Brown and Noah Hickey have joined the Auckland FC ownership group.
The trio bring knowledge of what it takes to succeed as a player at the highest level, with over 580 professional and international appearances between them.
They also bring a united passion for New Zealand football and join our existing local owners Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray. The club remains majority owned by American businessman Bill Foley.
All will be focused on ensuring we as a club succeed and reflect our ambition to provide young Kiwis with a clear pathway to the top of the professional game.
Our strong corporate foundations will be further enhanced by the appointment of Tim Brown and Noah Hickey. After a career that included more than 150 professional games and 30 as a New Zealand international, LA-based Tim Brown has gone on to co-found sustainable shoe brand Allbirds.
Noah Hickey is locally born and had a ten year professional career in Auckland, Europe and for the All Whites. Now based in San Diego, since retiring from football he has built a successful career helping startup businesses reach their potential, as an early investor in NZ fintech business, Pushpay and co-founded NZ fashion business, Asuwere.
And for former All White and West Ham captain Winston Reid, the chance to support the club in the city he was born in was a huge factor in his joining.
Reid is passionate about helping the next generation succeed at the highest level and brings a phenomenal amount of experience and expertise to Auckland FC.
Auckland FC CEO, Nick Becker believes that the new additions show the club is focused on long term success and not here to make up the numbers.
“All of us at the club, players, staff, and our owners share a clear vision for Auckland FC. We are proud to represent New Zealand’s biggest city and we are working hard to build a club that has its fans at the core of our decision making and we’re investing into genuine talent pathways for young kiwi boys and girls.”
“We are incredibly lucky that our owners recognise the growth trajectory that football is on in New Zealand and can see the opportunity that having a professional club in Auckland offers,” added Becker.
“When I look at the calibre of the ownership team now in place I’m incredibly confident of what Auckland FC can offer; whether that be fans, players, staff, sponsors and Auckland at large. This is great news for us, but also great news for the city.”
You can read a bit more about each of our new owners and what they have to say below:
Winston Reid:
Winston Reid is one of the few Kiwis to ever play in the Premier League. Playing more than 150 games in the elite English league, the majority of them during a ten-year spell with West Ham, a club he proudly captained.
“Getting involved as an investor with Auckland FC feels like the perfect opportunity for me. I love what the club has to offer, what it represents to Auckland as well as coaching and development pathways available to help players achieve their very best.
“Becoming a professional football player is one of the hardest things to achieve, it takes more than just talent. I’m humbled by the opportunity to give back some of my own experiences as a professional footballer, to the next generation.”
Tim Brown:
A former professional who played more than 100 times in the A-League and 30 for New Zealand, Tim is now better known as co-founder and co-CEO of sustainable footwear brand, All Birds.
“Considering the number of people locally who are playing it and its global appeal, Football is massively under-represented in New Zealand. Auckland FC represents an opportunity to change that for the benefit of players as well as the wider NZ football community.”
“I’m pleased to be joining an ownership group with such experience and expertise. We have some serious ambitions for this club and with a world-class network of global investors, I’m confident they can be achieved.”
Noah Hickey:
Noah Hickey is another ex-All White now better known for making waves in the corporate world in his role as CEO of fleet maintenance software company, Whip Around and co-founder of fashion brand Asuwere. He brings further corporate experience to Auckland FC in his role as investor.
“I’ve played football in Auckland, Europe and internationally. Being overseas you really notice the cultural behemoth football is and its ability to bring people from all backgrounds together.
“There’s a great opportunity here to do that in Auckland, to unite the city and create better pathways for future players to make it professionally.
“Having people like Tim and Winston involved is vital to that success and I’m delighted to join them, Ali, Anna and Bill and become a part of it.”
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