“Fans from all walks of life, and different backgrounds, all come together for this team.”
Auckland FC’s inaugural season in the A-League was always going to be historic—but few could have predicted just how electrifying the journey would be.
Top of the table, unbeaten in nine, and fresh from a stunning 6-1 demolition of fierce rivals Wellington Phoenix, the city’s first professional football club has taken New Zealand’s sporting landscape by storm.
For Julian Voo, a Malaysian-born photographer and lifelong football fan, the opportunity to document this whirlwind debut was simply too good to pass up.
“I’ve always loved telling stories through photography,” Voo explains. “When Auckland FC was announced, I saw a rare chance to capture history in the making. A brand-new professional club doesn’t come around often.”
What began as a passion project has quickly turned into something far bigger—a visual chronicle of a club not just winning matches, but building a community. “It’s not just about the football,” he adds. “It’s about the people—fans from all walks of life, different backgrounds, all coming together for this team.”
Football has long played second fiddle to rugby in New Zealand—a reality Voo quickly noticed after moving to Auckland.
“Back home in Malaysia, every open field had goalposts at each end,” he recalls. “Here, it’s rugby posts as far as the eye can see.”
Yet, Auckland FC’s arrival has revealed an untapped well of football passion in the city.
“I didn’t realise how many football fans were actually here. Most people I meet at games are from different parts of the world—they’ve rediscovered their love for the sport through this club.”
With a top-of-the-table clash against Adelaide United looming, the excitement around the club has reached fever pitch. But for Voo, the story runs deeper than results. It’s about legacy—about children in the stands watching their local team for the first time, about a city embracing a new sporting identity, and about documenting the moments that will define Auckland FC’s place in New Zealand’s sporting culture.
The Atlantic Dispatch was delighted to sit down with Julian Voo to discuss his love for football, what Auckland FC’s rise means for the city, and why this debut season already feels like the start of something special.
THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY BACK A LOCAL TEAM
My love for football comes from growing up playing the game in Malaysia. My uncle was a professional footballer and played for the Malaysia national team in the ‘90s, which inspired me to start at a young age—so I’ve been playing all my life.
As for Auckland FC, the love is new but exciting. Growing up, I never had a local team to support. In Malaysia, many people, including myself, turned to the Premier League because the local league has struggled with internal issues—but that’s a whole other conversation!
So for years, Arsenal was the only team I truly followed. Since moving to Auckland, the announcement of Auckland FC in the A-League felt like the perfect opportunity to finally back a local team.
A CITY RICH IN DIFFERENT CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES
I can’t speak much about New Zealand’s football culture over the years, as I only moved here a few years ago. But one thing is clear—rugby is king.
When I arrived, I was shocked to see rugby fields everywhere, whereas, in other countries, every open field has goalposts at each end. Not many people seemed to be watching football either, partly due to the time difference between the major leagues. And in Auckland, there wasn’t even a local team to support.
Football wasn’t a common topic of conversation. But from playing in social leagues, I’ve noticed a strong presence of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. That reflects Auckland itself—a city rich in different cultures and communities. ⁃ Auckland FC has really changed things.
I didn’t realise how many football fans were actually here. Talking to people at the games, most come from different parts of the world, and many have rediscovered their love for the game. It’s exciting to see how the football culture is growing.
THIS IS MORE THAN JUST CAPTURING MATCHES
I’ve always loved telling stories through photography. I used to shoot local games in Malaysia but stopped to focus on uni and life got really busy after that.
Last year, when things finally slowed down, I got a camera to chase my passion again. The timing was perfect—Auckland FC was announced, and I saw a rare opportunity to document their journey.
A brand-new professional club doesn’t come around often, and I saw a rare chance to document their journey.
The response has been incredible—every home game, the stadium is nearly full, and we have one of the best attendances in the A-League.
This story isn’t just about the football—it’s about the people who support the club. Fans from all walks of life, and different backgrounds, all come together for this team.
This is more than just capturing matches; it’s also a chance to help promote football in New Zealand and be part of something bigger.
WE’RE PAINTING HISTORY WITH EVERY MATCH
This season has been incredible—honestly, a huge surprise for everyone. Nobody expected Auckland FC to be top of the table at this stage.
I had no expectations going into the season, and I think that’s what makes it so exciting. Every game feels unpredictable because there’s no history to set expectations.
With established clubs, you know their identity, style of play, and what to expect. But with Auckland FC, it feels like a blank canvas, and we’re painting history with every match.
We’re not just playing games—we’re shaping the club’s identity, building its legacy from the ground up.
Every match creates new memories and sets new standards for what Auckland FC can become. It’s been a wild ride, and to be where we are now has already exceeded all expectations.
I’M STILL BUZZING A FEW DAYS LATER
It’s hard to pick just one standout moment from the season so far because there have been so many incredible instances.
Our very first goal as a club came from an own goal, but it was set up by our captain, Sakai, which made it special.
We’ve had a number of dramatic last-minute goals, whether at home or away. The 97th-minute winner against Sydney FC was a heart-stopper. Then there were the 95th and 99th-minute equalisers on the road that kept us on the edge of our seats.
Every goal is celebrated like a World Cup winner’s moment at The Port, so the atmosphere is always electric. And, of course, dominating our rivals, Wellington Phoenix, three times this season, with each win feeling more satisfying than the last.
The 6-1 hammering just last week was the perfect cherry on top. There are just too many unforgettable moments to choose from, but the excitement from recent games is still fresh in my mind—definitely the most memorable, and I’m still buzzing a few days later!
CREATING A CULTURE AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
To be where we are in our debut season is incredible, and I’m sure the fans are proud of every moment so far. Of course, I’d love to see us go all the way and finish top of the league.
There are no real expectations for me—just excitement to see how far we can go. ⁃ But beyond the results, the club has achieved something even bigger—creating a culture and bringing people together.
With Auckland being the most populated city in the country, this is a fantastic opportunity to promote football in New Zealand and encourage kids to play the game.
Seeing young fans in the stands, supporting a brand-new team and knowing this will be their club—the one they will grow up with—that’s truly special.
If we can keep this momentum going, build on this foundation, and achieve even greater things in the future, that would be an incredible legacy.
All of our thanks to Julian Voo