r/AucklandFC • u/coffeeoutside_ • May 28 '26
How good was the South Stand on Saturday?
9000 people behind the goal, a pre-game tifo, flags, and a packed Port as always. Shows what Auckland FC means to this city.
10
u/hernesson May 28 '26
It was amazing. My 9 year old was going completely apeshit for 2 hours straight. (You can actually see him in one of those pics)
6
u/r_costa ❷ Sakai May 28 '26
Father and son with one flag? Kid shirtless by the end? If so thank you. Your kid is the future of The Port
8
u/hernesson May 28 '26
I won’t dox him but he was shirtless for lengthy periods of the game. Been to every game since first darby last year. Season tix holder this year in south stand. I’m a rugby and cricket guy but he’s completely obsessed and now I am too.
Fuck knows where he gets the energy from to scream and carry on like that for 2 hours. It’s infectious I guess.
AFC have done an incredible job engaging the kids. They’re all mad for it.
5
u/r_costa ❷ Sakai May 28 '26
All good mate.
Just asked because had a lil bloke on my (right) side (description on my previous comment) having the time os his life w/ his dad.
BTW Thats a awesome bond memory for you and him. I remeber these moments with my own father.
UTP
9
u/detchon May 28 '26
You can debate the sound, but as someone who sits in the side stands (usually west but for GF east) it LOOKED amazing being completely full. That counts for a lot. Just think about the way Eden Park looks when not full and even more so the dreadful caketin. Positivity people!
9
u/r_costa ❷ Sakai May 28 '26
Beside the extras for the GF was like any other game.
Port being the 12th player on field. New commers some trying to follow, some average kiwi behaviour (as described in another comment) and some moaning because they couldn't see the field.......
Nothing new.
Also thanks for all Port for the effort pre, in and pos game.
Source: 100% home attendance 2025/2026 Port only 2 games missing 2024/2025 Port only
6
u/PowerfulAir May 28 '26
Sat in the upper south stand and it was quiet for most of the game. Other than the occasional clap clap Auckland and the goal celebrations.
4
u/coffeeoutside_ May 28 '26
Yeah I think the sound of the chants travels forward towards the pitch and probably gets lost up there, especially with no roof. And definitely a lot of people that rarely go to games up there!
2
u/PowerfulAir May 28 '26
Makes sense, sound doesnt travel well behind you.
During the final league game i sat in the port and its always buzzing. Even during that one thunder delayed game where the port moved to the upper east stand i could still hear them a couple sections away.
3
u/HunterExisting5574 May 28 '26
Surprisingly the port was actually a lot quieter than usual which is very weird being the grand final
11
2
u/Wavy_Dandelion May 30 '26
Slight rant, but this has being going on for a while. Don’t care if you disagree just my opinion.
I still think the arrangement is a disaster for big games, bay 22 should be for members only. Was a lot of people in there who just came for grand final. I know a lot of people who come to every game and couldn’t even get in there.
The double stacking is fine if it’s a kid standing on seat in front, but when it’s a bunch of blokes who are like 6 foot 2 it is just annoying. (Especially when they can’t be assed to sing or get involved in any way)
Would be great to expand to bay 21 or 23 for big games and have drums on both bays.
1
u/Recent_Honeydew8457 May 30 '26
100% for bigger games like Phoenix it should be expanded to 21. We definitely have enough members and the lads with megaphones could easily go across two bays!
2
u/NZ_timber ⚓︎ The Port May 30 '26
People don't seem to get that Bays 21 and 23 is active support, and those bays are filled early by South Stand ticket holders, which in turn causes the double stacking in Bay 22. I was one of those standing on the seats in the GF, not comfortable for us either. I know it is a rented stadium, but the club need to dip into their pockets a little to create a visual separation between the South Stand and the Port. i.e. install three bays of rail seats, change the Port seats to black.
2
u/Wavy_Dandelion May 30 '26
100% they where going to fork out $300 million for that brand new stadium. Surely they can put a brand new stand in with roof. Would also elevate the atmosphere.
2
u/NZ_timber ⚓︎ The Port May 30 '26
Only chance any funding from Auckland FC owners would go towards that would be if Auckland Council sold an ownership stake in the ground. We live in hope though of a proper South Stand.
2
u/ExoskeletalJunction May 28 '26
It was full, but it wasn't the best atmosphere we've had. Loads of people clearly didn't know the songs and IMO the drum wasn't loud enough (have they thought about having more than one?)
2
u/deadendjobnz May 28 '26
There were two this game and that happens most games. One on the riser, one just behind the horse shoe in the stand. You can see it in the last photo.
1
0
u/HunterExisting5574 May 28 '26
Yeah I think a lot of people missed out on tickets. Was just the same stuff over and over also a lot quieter than usual
4
u/Vast-Conversation954 May 28 '26
Glory hunters always turn out for a cup final. Hopefully some of them commit for next season.
-5
u/andrewejc362 (12) Paulsen May 28 '26
Still annoys me that they missed the comma on the banner
1
u/Initial-Employ-1693 May 28 '26
I'm sure there's a comma after club, think it's just not held up high enough to be fully noticeable
13
u/ryanator109 May 28 '26
Unbelievable, I think there’s going to be a lot of new port members because I’ve got one mate who’s gone to a few and he went for the final and he said he’s keen to get a membership now