New Zealand Knights FC Season 2005-06
Encyclopedia
The 2005-06 season was the first for both the New Zealand Knights and the A-League
. Picking up just one win and three draws out of the 21 regular season matches, the Knights finished at the bottom of the table, 20 points behind 7th placed Melbourne Victory
.
Simon Yeo
and teenage whizkid Jeremy Brockie
, with four apiece. Sean Devine
scored three goals, while Joshua Rose
, Jeremy Christie
, Neil Emblen
and Xiaobin Zhang all managed to find the back of the net once. Former Walsall FC right-back Darren Bazeley
was the only Knight to start in all 21 of their games.
The club was plunged into turmoil in late 2005, as club captain Danny Hay
apparently fell out with Knights bosses and coach John Adshead
, and was released just before Christmas
. This followed the departures of UK signings Ronnie Bull and former Lincoln City
striker Simon Yeo
.
The Knights may have had poor crowds in their inaugural A-League
season but they did have loyal support from their supporters group, Bloc-5. Supporters who formerly supported the now-defunct Football Kingz franchise, are known for dressing up in the team's colours, chanting loudly and attending all home fixtures.
Immediately after the season, the Knights fired assistant coach Tommy Mason
. Former Fulham FC reserve team and academy head coach Paul Nevin
was named head coach to assist current manager John Adshead
as Mason's replacement.
One positive to come out of the Knights' horrific debut season was 17 year old New Zealander Jeremy Brockie
. The dreadlocked midfielder/striker was originally selected as one of the Knights three under-20 players in their squad. By the end of the season though, he had become a regular starter, scoring a brilliant double at home against the Newcastle Jets. This was followed up by a fantastic strike to earn a draw with Sydney FC
, and a goal in the Knights' final game of the season, versus Melbourne Victory
.
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
. Picking up just one win and three draws out of the 21 regular season matches, the Knights finished at the bottom of the table, 20 points behind 7th placed Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
.
Season summary
In their debut season, the Knights scored only 15 goals in their 21 fixtures. Their joint leading scorers were EnglishmanEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Simon Yeo
Simon Yeo
Simon John Yeo is a former English footballer.-Army career:After leaving school, Yeo began a two-year YTS as a carpet fitter before, in May 1992, joining the army with the 22nd Regiment...
and teenage whizkid Jeremy Brockie
Jeremy Brockie
Jeremy Russell Brockie is a New Zealand football player who was recently signed by the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League...
, with four apiece. Sean Devine
Sean Devine
Sean Devine is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker.He began his career with Millwall. Having spent time on loan with Woking in 1992, he spent two years with Bromley and one with Fisher Athletic before moving to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta in the summer of 1995...
scored three goals, while Joshua Rose
Joshua Rose
Joshua Rose is an Australian football player who currently plays for the Central Coast Mariners.-Club career:...
, Jeremy Christie
Jeremy Christie
Jeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender...
, Neil Emblen
Neil Emblen
Neil Emblen is an English football player who plays for and is coach of New Zealand club Waitakere United.Emblen had spent the majority of his career in English football with Millwall, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Walsall.-Career:Emblen started his career as a youth...
and Xiaobin Zhang all managed to find the back of the net once. Former Walsall FC right-back Darren Bazeley
Darren Bazeley
Darren Shaun Bazeley is an English association football player who most recently played for Waitakere United of New Zealand. He played as either a right full back or right-sided defensive midfielder...
was the only Knight to start in all 21 of their games.
The club was plunged into turmoil in late 2005, as club captain Danny Hay
Danny Hay
Daniel "Danny" Hay is an association football player who has represented New Zealand at international level as a central defender and captains Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.-Club career:...
apparently fell out with Knights bosses and coach John Adshead
John Adshead
John Adshead is an England-born former head coach of New Zealand's national football team the All Whites, whom he led to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in the 1982 tournament...
, and was released just before Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. This followed the departures of UK signings Ronnie Bull and former Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
striker Simon Yeo
Simon Yeo
Simon John Yeo is a former English footballer.-Army career:After leaving school, Yeo began a two-year YTS as a carpet fitter before, in May 1992, joining the army with the 22nd Regiment...
.
The Knights may have had poor crowds in their inaugural A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
season but they did have loyal support from their supporters group, Bloc-5. Supporters who formerly supported the now-defunct Football Kingz franchise, are known for dressing up in the team's colours, chanting loudly and attending all home fixtures.
Immediately after the season, the Knights fired assistant coach Tommy Mason
Tommy Mason
Thomas Cyril Mason is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was selected first overall by the expansion Minnesota Vikings in the 1961 NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Vikings, he rushed for 3,252 yards and 28 touchdowns. In 1967, he was signed by the Los...
. Former Fulham FC reserve team and academy head coach Paul Nevin
Paul Nevin
Paul Nevin is a football manager. He is the former custodian of the New Zealand Knights, a professional club competing in the A-League. He was dismissed on November 15, 2006 due to poor performance.-Biography:...
was named head coach to assist current manager John Adshead
John Adshead
John Adshead is an England-born former head coach of New Zealand's national football team the All Whites, whom he led to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in the 1982 tournament...
as Mason's replacement.
One positive to come out of the Knights' horrific debut season was 17 year old New Zealander Jeremy Brockie
Jeremy Brockie
Jeremy Russell Brockie is a New Zealand football player who was recently signed by the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League...
. The dreadlocked midfielder/striker was originally selected as one of the Knights three under-20 players in their squad. By the end of the season though, he had become a regular starter, scoring a brilliant double at home against the Newcastle Jets. This was followed up by a fantastic strike to earn a draw with Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
, and a goal in the Knights' final game of the season, versus Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
.
First team squad
| No. | Name | Nationality | Position | Date Of Birth (Age) | Signed From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||
| 1 | Danny Milosevic Danny Milosevic Danny Milosevic is a football player who was most recently a goalkeeper for the New Zealand Knights in the Hyundai A-League before joining West Australian club Inglewood United... |
 |
GK | June 26, 1978 (age 33) | Celtic FC | |
| 20 | Glen Moss Glen Moss Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:... |
 |
GK | January 19, 1983 (age 29) | Dinamo Bucharest | |
| 27 | Roy Bell | GK | Short-term Injury cover | |||
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | Darren Bazeley Darren Bazeley Darren Shaun Bazeley is an English association football player who most recently played for Waitakere United of New Zealand. He played as either a right full back or right-sided defensive midfielder... |
 |
DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
October 05, 1972 (age 39) | Walsall FC | |
| 3 | Ronnie Bull | |
LB Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
December 26, 1980 (age 31) | Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
|
| 4 | John Tambouras John Tambouras John Tambouras is a retired Australian football defender.- Club career :Tambouras attracted the attention of South Melbourne F.C... |
|
DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
January 30, 1979 (age 33) | Football Kingz | |
| 5 | Danny Hay Danny Hay Daniel "Danny" Hay is an association football player who has represented New Zealand at international level as a central defender and captains Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.-Club career:... |
|
DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
May 15, 1975 (age 36) | Walsall FC | Captain Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... |
| 7 | Steve Fitzsimmons Steve Fitzsimmons Steve Fitzsimmons is an Australian professional football player who plays as a Right back for in the A-League.-Club career:... |
|
RF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
September 07, 1976 (age 35) | Brisbane Strikers Brisbane Strikers The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:... |
|
| 12 | Cole Tinkler Cole Tinkler Cole Allen Wilson Tinkler is a New Zealand professional footballer, who last played for Sengkang-Punggol Football Club in the S-League and is currently contracted to Sydney club APIA Leichhardt Tigers who play in the New South Wales Premier League.-Career:Tinkler played as a right full back for... |
|
DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
May 05, 1986 (age 25) | Free Agent Free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise.... |
Youth |
| 15 | Joshua Rose Joshua Rose Joshua Rose is an Australian football player who currently plays for the Central Coast Mariners.-Club career:... |
|
LB Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
December 16, 1981 (age 30) | Brisbane Strikers Brisbane Strikers The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:... |
|
| 17 | Frank van Eijs Frank van Eijs Frank van Eijs is a Dutch football player who last played as a central defender for the New Zealand Knights in the 2005-2006 Hyundai A-League.... |
 |
DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
November 02, 1971 (age 40) | LG-ACB Hanoi | |
| Midfielders | ||||||
| 6 | Neil Emblen Neil Emblen Neil Emblen is an English football player who plays for and is coach of New Zealand club Waitakere United.Emblen had spent the majority of his career in English football with Millwall, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Walsall.-Career:Emblen started his career as a youth... |
|
MF | June 19, 1971 (age 40) | Walsall F.C. Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
|
| 8 | Ben Collett Ben Collett Benjamin "Ben" Collett is an English former association footballer who played as a central midfielder for Manchester United, New Zealand Knights and AGOVV Apeldoorn... |
|
CF | September 11, 1984 (age 27) | Manchester United | |
| 11 | Zenon Caravella Zenon Caravella Zenon Caravella is an Australian football midfielder who plays for .-Club career:After the demise of the NSL in Caravella played for Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League becoming one of their best players... |
|
CM | March 17, 1983 (age 28) | Sydney Olympic | |
| 14 | Josh Maguire Josh Maguire Joshua Maguire is an Australian football player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Sporting Clube de Goa on loan from Persebaya after some previous stints at New Zealand Knights and Universitatea Craiova.... |
|
MF | September 22, 1980 (age 31) | Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
|
| 16 | Noah Hickey Noah Hickey Noah Hickey is a association football player from New Zealand who plays for Gisborne City in the Central Premier League and last played professionally for the New Zealand Knights in the Hyundai A-League... |
|
MF | June 09, 1978 (age 33) | Waitakere United Waitakere United Waitakere United is a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They are one of the franchises in the ASB Premiership. They play their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu.-History:... |
Vice-Captain Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... |
| 21 | Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender... |
|
CDM | May 22, 1983 (age 28) | Waitakere United Waitakere United Waitakere United is a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They are one of the franchises in the ASB Premiership. They play their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu.-History:... |
|
| 22 | Sam Jasper Sam Jasper Sam Jasper is a football player from New Zealand who is currently with Canterbury United, having previously played for New Zealand Knights in the A-League.... |
|
MF | February 06, 1986 (age 25) | Waitakere United Waitakere United Waitakere United is a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They are one of the franchises in the ASB Premiership. They play their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu.-History:... |
Youth |
| Strikers | ||||||
| 9 | Simon Yeo Simon Yeo Simon John Yeo is a former English footballer.-Army career:After leaving school, Yeo began a two-year YTS as a carpet fitter before, in May 1992, joining the army with the 22nd Regiment... |
|
ST | October 10, 1973 (age 38) | Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
|
| 10 | Sean Devine Sean Devine Sean Devine is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker.He began his career with Millwall. Having spent time on loan with Woking in 1992, he spent two years with Bromley and one with Fisher Athletic before moving to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta in the summer of 1995... |
 |
ST | September 06, 1972 (age 39) | Exeter City F.C. Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
|
| 13 | Jeremy Brockie Jeremy Brockie Jeremy Russell Brockie is a New Zealand football player who was recently signed by the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League... |
|
ST | October 07, 1987 (age 24) | Canterbury United Canterbury United Canterbury United FC is an association football club from Christchurch, New Zealand. The club plays most of its matches at English Park in Christchurch, though they occasionally play in Nelson... |
Youth |
| 18 | Xiaobin Zhang |  |
ST | February 14, 1985 (age 26) | Puerto Rico Islanders Puerto Rico Islanders Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Youth |
| 19 | Naoki Imaya Naoki Imaya Naoki Imaya was a Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder or forward.-Career:As a child he moved to Sydney Australia with his parents at age 10. He played for various Australian clubs before moving to Switzerland... |
 |
FW | June 18, 1980 (age 31) | Blacktown City Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
|
| 24 | Kris Bright Kris Bright Kris Bright is a New Zealand association football player who plays for Balzan Youths in Malta as a striker. Bright has represented New Zealand at U15, U16, U-17, U-20, and All Whites level.-Career:... |
|
ST | September 05, 1986 (age 25) | Waitakere United Waitakere United Waitakere United is a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They are one of the franchises in the ASB Premiership. They play their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu.-History:... |
Youth |
Out
| No. | Name | Nationality | Position | Leaving To | League | Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ronnie Bull | |
LB Defender Defender usually refers to a position in association football .Defender or The Defender may also refer to:-Film and television:* The Defender or The Bodyguard from Beijing, a film starring Jet Li... |
Released | ||
| 5 | Danny Hay Danny Hay Daniel "Danny" Hay is an association football player who has represented New Zealand at international level as a central defender and captains Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.-Club career:... |
|
CB Defender Defender usually refers to a position in association football .Defender or The Defender may also refer to:-Film and television:* The Defender or The Bodyguard from Beijing, a film starring Jet Li... |
Released | ||
| 9 | Simon Yeo Simon Yeo Simon John Yeo is a former English footballer.-Army career:After leaving school, Yeo began a two-year YTS as a carpet fitter before, in May 1992, joining the army with the 22nd Regiment... |
|
ST Striker Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals... |
Released |