New Zealand Knights FC Season 2005-06

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The New Zealand Knights had a dismal inaugural season in the Hyundai A-League only winning one match (away to the Central Coast Mariners). They did, however, pick up three draws – against Queensland, Adelaide United and Sydney.

In their debut season, the Knights scored only 15 goals in their 21 fixtures. Their joint leading scorers were Englishman Simon Yeo and teenage whizkid Jeremy Brockie, with four apiece. Sean Devine scored three goals, while Joshua Rose, Jeremy Christie, Neil Emblen and Xiaoban 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 inaugaral A-League season but they did have loyal support from their supporters group, Bloc-5. Bloc-5, who formely supported the now-defucnt 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.

The New Zealand Knights look set to lose a number of players as Zenon Caravella has joined the Queensland Roar side which is set to tour Asia. While the Newcastle Jets have shown an interest in current All White youngster Jeremy Brockie and the Perth Glory have shown an interest in another young All White Jeremy Christie. On March 17, 2006 Jeremy Brockie signed a two year contract for A-League rivals Sydney FC.

The New Zealand Knights are currently in a rebuilding phase as they start to build a new squad that can compete in next season's Hyundai A-League. John Adshead has announced that 10-12 squad places are available for next season. The Knights' likely targets are former Australian international Paul Okon, New Zealand international defender Ivan Vicelich, the NZFC leading goalscorer Keryn Jordan plus a number of other NZFC players such as Andrew Barron, Commins Menapi and Campbell Banks. Some possible targets from abroad include Leo Bertos, Jeff Fleming, Tim Brown and David Mulligan although all of the above signings are currently just rumours.

1 2005-2006 off season signings
2 Results
3 Player stats
4 See also

[edit] 2005-2006 off season signings

Michael Turnbull (GK), from Standard Liège (BEL), via Kingston City FC (AUS)
Richard Johnson (MF), from Newcastle Jets (AUS)
Scot Gemmill (MF), from Oxford United (ENG)
Jonathan Richter (FW), from Queensland Roar (AUS)
Jonas Salley (DF), from South Melbourne FC (AUS)
Sime Kovacevic (DF), from Sunshine George Cross FC (AUS)
Malik Buari (MF), from Fulham FC (ENG)
Michael White (FW), from Canterbury United (NZL)
Gregory Duruz (DF), from Delemont FC (SWI)
Adam Casey (FW), from Wollongong Wolves (AUS)
Dani Rodrigues (FW), from AFC Bournemouth (ENG)
Matt Carbon (DF) from Barnsley FC (ENG)
Ivan Necevski (GK) from Penrith Panthers FC (AUS)

[edit] Results

Date	Opposition	Venue	Score	Attendance	Knights scorers
August 28, 2005	Queensland Roar	Suncorp Stadium	0-2	20,072
September 2, 2005	Sydney FC	North Harbour Stadium	1-3	9,827	Rose
September 10, 2005	Central Coast Mariners	Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium	2-0	5,261	Yeo, Devine
September 18, 2005	Newcastle Jets	EnergyAustralia Stadium	0-4	7,495
September 22, 2005	Perth Glory	North Harbour Stadium	0-1	4,138
October 2, 2005	Adelaide United FC	North Harbour Stadium	1-2	3,558	Yeo
October 10, 2005	Melbourne Victory	Olympic Park Stadium	0-3	11,010
October 16, 2005	Queensland Roar	North Harbour Stadium	0-2	4,182
October 21, 2005	Sydney FC	Aussie Stadium	0-2	11,836
October 29, 2005	Central Coast Mariners	North Harbour Stadium	1-3	2,583	Yeo
November 4, 2005	Newcastle Jets	North Harbour Stadium	2-4	2,561	Brockie (2)
November 11, 2005	Perth Glory	Members Equity Stadium	0-3	9,667
November 20, 2005	Adelaide United FC	Hindmarsh Stadium	0-1	9,676
November 26, 2005	Melbourne Victory	North Harbour Stadium	2-3	1,922	Christie, Devine
December 1, 2005	Queensland Roar	Suncorp Stadium	1-1	8,607	Yeo
December 30, 2005	Sydney FC	North Harbour Stadium	2-2	4,212	Brockie, Devine
January 8, 2006	Central Coast Mariners	Central Coast Stadium	0-1	7,257
January 13, 2006	Newcastle Jets	EnergyAustralia Stadium	0-3	6,862
January 19, 2006	Perth Glory	North Harbour Stadium	1-4	3,024	Emblen
January 28, 2006	Adelaide United FC	North Harbour Stadium	1-1	3,079	Zhang
February 4, 2006	Melbourne Victory	Olympic Park Stadium	1-2	10,078	Brockie