Auckland FC arrive, set on making big A-League splash

There were moments when Steve Corica, the five-time A-League Men winner, was scrolling websites to order kit without knowing who would be wearing it.

Or when Nick Becker, the club's first chief executive, was hot-desking, trying to find a place for them to train or play.

But as Auckland FC prepares for its historic first match this weekend, it's hard to escape the feeling that this is a club ready to succeed.

The Black Knights are out to make a splash in their inaugural campaign beginning on Saturday when Brisbane Roar visit Mt Smart Stadium, with 20,000 fans expected.

It's been a mad dash over the past 12 months to get here.

"Something different every day," Corica tells AAP.

Corica, Becker and director of football Terry McFlynn were three of the first club employees tasked with building a club from scratch.

"We were doing recruiting but we actually had no equipment or anything. No footballs, no mannequins, no nothing, no kits," Corica said, chuckling.

"I did order a few things. Terry and me were trying to order kit sizes for people that we hadn't signed yet."

Becker set up shop at one of American billionaire club owner Bill Foley's other Kiwi businesses.

"We were essentially squatting out of the Foley Wines office on two spare desks," he tells AAP.

"I'm trying to get sponsorship, helping recruitment, negotiating mobile phone contracts — whatever needed doing."

For Corica, the start-up experience recalled his playing days as a member of Sydney FC's inaugural title-winning squad in 2005.

After a stay of 18 years at the Sky Blues, as player, assistant and then coach, it's been back to basics for the former Socceroo, who relished rolling up the sleeves.

"I definitely didn't hate it. It was enjoyable. But there's a lot that obviously goes into setting up a football club ... just everything," he said.

"We're in a really good place at the moment.

"We have all our players, we have all the staff, we have a good training ground, all the equipment we need. And it's ... gone pretty well, pre-season has so far. So now it's all about kick-off."

Corica estimates Auckland FC's footprint now stretches to 60 employees — about 15 backroom football staff supporting the 26 players, and roughly 20 in club operations — on par with his former employer Sydney FC.

On the field, Auckland certainly look ready to compete in a way the previous Auckland-based A-League club, two-time wooden spooner winners New Zealand Knights, never did.

At its core are 18 Kiwis, including 11 with international caps and five on All Whites duty this week.

The three Australian recruits — Scott Galloway, Jake Brimmer and Dan Hall — have all won domestic silverware.

With 74 caps for Japan, including three World Cup squads, defender and captain Hiroki Sakai brings vital experience.

How the visa signings settle, including Uruguayan striker Guillermo May, may be crucial for the team's ambitions.

Becker said the club has signed up more than 3000 members, tracking towards their target of 5000 by Christmas.

Average attendance of 12,000 has been set as a pass mark, with hopes of 15,000 bolstered by their opening match and two home derbies — the "Kiwi Clasico'' — against Wellington Phoenix.

"That's going to be big," Corica said.

"Wellington had a really good season last year, probably their best season ever.

"I've been involved in derbies before in Sydney with the Wanderers. I'm sure this will be very similar."

Owner Foley has been clear that his side is not in the competition to make up the numbers, and Corica confirmed he wanted a trophy inside his three-year contract.

"We're ambitious to win trophies, and we're going to do our best this season," he said.

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