Auckland’s incredible season ended with a 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory. The opposition crashing the party in front of 29,000 at Go Media thanks to two second half goals.
The fairytale end we all hoped for wasn’t to be. What may feel like failure, like an occasion ruined needs to be considered in the wider context. It’s not what we wanted, not we hoped for, but by getting this far we exceeded our own wildest expectations and for one, long, glorious season united the city and gave Aucklanders a reason to raise their head and proudly proclaim the city they were from.
The next few days, even weeks will be hard, but we must remember the good times. Winning the Premier’s Plate, the many days spent in the sun at Go Media, falling in love with a sport few expected Kiwis would take to.
Our players leave the field heroes. A group of men who were largely unknown to one another and us 12 months ago but came from across the world to gather and call Auckland home.
Their performances were cheered on, we feel in love. Goals celebrated as a collective as week after week thousands of people made the afternoon pilgrimage to Go Media Stadium.
Those fans who turned up in their thousands. The young boys and girls who cheered on their idols and waited beside the field to have their shirts and posters signed. The families, the football die-hards, those who heard about what was happening and wanted to be a part of the club that was being built.
So don’t be sad. Be proud. Smile. Remember the good times. Allow yourself to feel excited because you know, Auckland FC is here to stay and we’re going to do it all again next season. Roll on October.
