Tottenham arrives for friendly match
Tottenham Hotspur has arrived in Auckland for a pre-season friendly against Auckland FC at Eden Park. Before the match, coaches from the Premier League club have been conducting football clinics for over 100 young local players throughout the week. The sessions are designed to be inclusive, adapting the club’s football philosophy so every player can participate. One young player expressed excitement about meeting the players and enjoying the experience, while another noted the rarity of seeing professional footballers in New Zealand.
Tottenham global football development coach Shannon Moloney highlighted the growth of football in the region since his last visit in 2023. He mentioned a statistic indicating that more children under the age of 10 are now playing football than rugby, underscoring the importance of the sport’s legacy in New Zealand. Approximately 40,000 fans are anticipated at Eden Park for the match, which would mark the largest football crowd in New Zealand since the country hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup three years prior.
Tottenham defender Ben Davies spoke about the club’s global support, noting the “awesome feeling” of seeing fans in Spurs shirts in Auckland. He added that the visit provides an opportunity to give back and promote the club. Forward Dominic Solanke expressed his anticipation for the match, his first visit to Auckland, and midfielder Conor Gallagher emphasised the club’s commitment to performing well on the tour, aiming to deliver their best for the game.
A historical connection and family memories
The upcoming match holds particular significance for the Sibley family, as Tottenham returns to Auckland for the first time in 50 years. Former New Zealand international Tony Sibley played against Tottenham when they faced an Auckland FA XI in May 1976. On Sunday, Tony Sibley will be at Eden Park to watch the current Tottenham squad, accompanied by his son Ricky, a passionate Spurs fan, and Ricky’s friend Greig Brooks, along with Greig’s father, Alan Brooks.
The 1976 encounter was part of a significant end-of-season tour for Tottenham, covering approximately 35,000 miles across Canada, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia, with nine games played in under a month. The match against the Auckland representative team took place at Newmarket Park. Tony Sibley, an experienced defender who played for Mount Wellington and captained the All Whites on occasion, recalled that most of the Auckland players came from the successful Mount Wellington club.
Tony Sibley, now aged 75, remembered the prevailing belief at the time that English teams were nearly unbeatable. However, the Auckland FA XI led Tottenham 3-1 at one point in the match, with goals from Keith Nelson, Dave Taylor, and Iain Ormond. Tottenham eventually secured a victory with goals from John Pratt, Keith Osgood (penalty), Jimmy Neighbour, and two from John Duncan. Tony Sibley, who was named New Zealand Footballer of the Year in 1978, noted that the Auckland team began to tire late in the second half.
Tony Sibley expressed his anticipation for the upcoming game, observing the significant progress of football in New Zealand over the past 50 years. He highlighted that football is now the number one participation sport in the country, with the establishment of professional teams like Auckland FC. His son Ricky, introduced to Spurs by his best friend at the age of nine, described his support as unwavering despite the emotional rollercoaster of recent years. Ricky looks forward to attending the game with his father and best friend, an experience they have often discussed.
Match details and viewing information
The friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Auckland FC is scheduled for tomorrow. Fans can watch the game live on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2, with coverage beginning at 2:30 PM.
The historical match in 1976 featured the following line-ups:
- Auckland FA XI: Curtin, Elrick, Young, Houghton, Sibley, Fleet, Turner, Thomas, Taylor, Nelson, Ormond.
- Spurs: Daines, Stead, Walford, Pratt, Young, Osgood, Neighbour, Armstrong, Duncan, Perryman, Coates.
The upcoming match provides an opportunity to witness the continued evolution of football in New Zealand, building on a rich history of international fixtures.
Source: 1news.co.nz
