- New Zealand Knights season 2005-06
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 whizkidJeremy Brockie , with four apiece.Sean Devine scored three goals, whileJoshua Rose ,Jeremy Christie ,Neil Emblen andXiaoban Zhang all managed to find the back of the net once. FormerWalsall FC right-backDarren 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 coachJohn Adshead , and was released just beforeChristmas . This followed the departures ofUK signingsRonnie Bull and former Lincoln City strikerSimon 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. Suppoters who formerly supported the now-defunctFootball 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 . FormerFulham FC reserve team and academy head coachPaul Nevin was named head coach to assist current managerJohn Adshead as Mason's replacement.One positive to come out of the Knights' horrific debut season was 17 year old
New Zealand erJeremy 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 theNewcastle Jets . This was followed up by a fantastic strike to earn a draw withSydney FC , and a goal in the Knights' final game of the season, versusMelbourne Victory .2005-2006 off season signings
* Michael Turnbull (GK), from
Standard Liège (BEL), viaKingston City FC (AUS)
* Richard Johnson (MF), fromNewcastle Jets (AUS)
*Scot Gemmill (MF), from Oxford United (ENG)
*Jonathan Richter (FW), fromQueensland Roar (AUS)
*Jonas Salley (DF), fromSouth Melbourne FC (AUS)
*Sime Kovacevic (DF), fromSunshine George Cross FC (AUS)
*Malik Buari (MF), fromFulham FC (ENG)
* Michael White (FW), fromCanterbury United (NZL)
*Gregory Duruz (DF), fromDelemont FC (SWI)
*Adam Casey (FW), fromWollongong Wolves (AUS)
*Dani Rodrigues (FW), fromAFC Bournemouth (ENG)
*Matt Carbon (DF) fromBarnsley FC (ENG)
*Ivan Necevski (GK) fromPenrith Panthers FC (AUS)Results
Player stats
Player of the Year
*
Jeremy Brockie Goalscorers
*
Jeremy Brockie - 4
*Simon Yeo - 4
*Sean Devine - 3Assists
*
Sean Devine - 3
*Ben Collett - 2ee also
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