Former New Zealand internationals Winston Reid, Tim Brown and Noah Hickey have joined Auckland FC’s ownership group ahead of the club’s inaugural A-Leagues season.
The All Whites trio bring a wealth of experience to the expansion team ahead of their 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League but Auckland FC women’s side enter the Liberty A-League in 2025-26, while American billionaire Bill Foley remains majority owner.
Between former West Ham captain Reid, Brown and Hickey, they have more than 580 professional and international matches between them, as they join existing local owners Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray.
“All of us at the club, players, staff, and our owners share a clear vision for Auckland FC,” said Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker, with head coach Steve Corica busy preparing the team for their Isuzu UTE A-League bow.
“We are proud to represent New Zealand’s biggest city and we are working hard to build a club that has its fans at the core of our decision making and we’re investing into genuine talent pathways for young kiwi boys and girls.
“We are incredibly lucky that our owners recognise the growth trajectory that football is on in New Zealand and can see the opportunity that having a professional club in Auckland offers.
“When I look at the calibre of the ownership team now in place I’m incredibly confident of what Auckland FC can offer; whether that be fans, players, staff, sponsors and Auckland at large. This is great news for us, but also great news for the city.”
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Reid, who earned 33 international caps, made over 150 Premier League appearances during his 11 years with West Ham.
“Getting involved as an investor with Auckland FC feels like the perfect opportunity for me,” the 36-year-old added. “I love what the club has to offer, what it represents to Auckland as well as coaching and development pathways available to help players achieve their very best.
“Becoming a professional football player is one of the hardest things to achieve, it takes more than just talent. I’m humbled by the opportunity to give back some of my own experiences as a professional footballer, to the next generation.”
Brown is a familiar face in the A-Leagues, having played more than 100 matches for rivals Wellington Phoenix following his Isuzu UTE A-League bow with Newcastle Jets in 2006-07.
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“Considering the number of people locally who are playing it and its global appeal, Football is massively under-represented in New Zealand. Auckland FC represents an opportunity to change that for the benefit of players as well as the wider NZ football community,” said Brown.
“I’m pleased to be joining an ownership group with such experience and expertise. We have some serious ambitions for this club and with a world-class network of global investors, I’m confident they can be achieved.”
Auckland-born Hickey played for the now defunct New Zealand Knights in the Isuzu UTE A-League between 2005-07, while he also represented the All Whites on 33 occasions.
“I’ve played football in Auckland, Europe and internationally. Being overseas you really notice the cultural behemoth football is and its ability to bring people from all backgrounds together,” Hickey said.
“There’s a great opportunity here to do that in Auckland, to unite the city and create better pathways for future players to make it professionally.
“Having people like Tim and Winston involved is vital to that success and I’m delighted to join them, Ali, Anna and Bill and become a part of it.”
