Video: Auckland FC draw fans to McLean Park ahead of Western Sydney clash

Football fans braved light rain at McLean Park this morning as Auckland FC opened their training session to the public ahead of tomorrow’s pre-season match against Western Sydney Wanderers.

The visit gave Hawke’s Bay supporters a close-up look at the team, with organisers hoping tomorrow’s turnout will help make the case for more top-level football in Napier.

Auckland player Lachlan Bayliss said seeing children turn out for training was a highlight.

“Hopefully we can try and inspire them and want them to become professional footballers and be successful in whatever they do.”

For Bayliss, tomorrow’s match also has a family connection. His uncle lives in Hawke’s Bay, and he visited the region regularly growing up.

“As a family, we used to visit here quite often, but it’s our first time actually playing, so it’s pretty special.”

The visit offered an opportunity to spend time with his uncle and play in front of family.

“I think he’s really looking forward to it, and I know a lot of my family and friends are too.”

For Daniel Normann, the fixture has brought him to Hawke’s Bay for the first time.

“I went for a walk yesterday down by the beach and it was very nice. We’re excited to be here.”

He said the support at training was appreciated as the side prepared to face another A-League team ahead of the new season.

“It’ll be a good matchup against an A-League opponent before the season starts again. Hopefully, we can bring back silverware again.”

Behind the visit is more than a year of discussions, which Napier City Council events manager Kevin Murphy said initially focused on securing an A-League competition match.

“We started talking to Auckland FC over a year ago with the hope of finding a team to play an A-league game here.”

When securing a competition fixture proved difficult, an opportunity emerged through Auckland’s pre-season schedule. It depended on the side losing a match in Saudi Arabia, leaving this weekend free.

Murphy said organisers had to line up marketing, ticketing, accommodation and flights while awaiting the result. That left just three weeks to promote the Napier fixture.

“Normally you’d have a couple of months to promote a game.”

The match is part of a wider effort to expand McLean Park’s use and bring more football to the region.

“So we’ve had concerts, we’ve had the NRL with the Warriors here, and we want to get more football happening,” Murphy said.

“So it is really important for us to be able to host these sort of games. Hopefully we get a good crowd so we can get more games.”

Murphy hoped seven or eight thousand spectators would attend tomorrow, although he acknowledged that number was uncertain.

“I’m not sure if we’ll get to that, but if we can get to those numbers, at least it’ll show Auckland that we’ve got a fairly solid base.”

He said Hawke’s Bay already had a strong football community.

“There’s lots of kids and there’s lots of parents that are supporters of football. We just need to get them here to the game.”

Bayliss praised the playing surface and said Auckland were looking to build momentum before the new season.

“It’s good for both teams that we’ll be able to play good football and just enjoy the occasion.”

Tomorrow’s double-header begins at midday with Napier City Rovers facing Palmerston North United — Rovers’ first appearance at McLean Park in 26 years.

Auckland FC take on Western Sydney Wanderers at 3pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek, with adult prices starting at $25.