AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC is pleased to welcome former first team coach Allan Jones back to Kiwitea Street for today's Chatham Cup tie with Tauranga City AFC.
Jones, who led Auckland City FC to its inaugural NZFC league and grand final double in 2004-05, who along with his son, Vaughan, joins Club Ambassador Arthur Egan as a special guest at the game.
The former All Whites coach led Auckland City FC to two league titles and two grand final victories in two seasons and is remembered fondly by all who worked with him.
Jones was also responsible for leading the club into it's first OFC Champions League campaign in Tahiti in 2005 when the team were eliminated at the group stage.
Not one to stay beaten, Jones rallied his team to win the next edition at North Harbour Stadium a year later, with a Keryn Jordan hat-trick sealing the club's first Oceania title and qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
The amiable Englishman retired having won five of six available trophies and was replaced by Roger Wilkinson.
Wilkinson's tenure at the club lasted until November 2006 and Jones returned to take the team to it's first FIFA Club World Cup where they lost to Al-Ahly (0-2) and Jeonbuk Motors (0-3).
Jones stepped down straight after the tournament and was replaced by Paul Marshall.
During the NZFC era a league and grand final double was achieved just eight times in the 17 seasons the competition ran.
Jones won two, Chris Milicich, Neil Emblen and Paul Marshall, all of Waitakere United, managed it once each, while Ramon Tribulietx achieved it on three occasions, making for a select group of coaches to enjoy the honour.
Only Jones and Tribulietx managed it in consecutive seasons.
Now based in Mount Maunganui, Jones has been a regular visitor to Kiwitea Street over the past 15 years and club chairman Ivan Vuksich said anytime Jones visits is a special occasion.
"Allan was responsible for raising standards at Kiwitea Street from the day he arrived.
"He set lofty ambitions for his coaching staff, players and himself, and that set the bar high for what we've become as a football club ever since.
"Arthur Egan was a key part of Allan's team and I know he will be excited to host him along with Vaughan at the game on Saturday.
"We're all pretty excited to have Allan back at the club and I am sure everyone will make him feel welcome," he said.
Ends
Name: Allan Jones
Previous Clubs:
Auckland City FC
Central United FC
Al-Rayyan SC
Al-Shamal
Al-Jahra SC
Darlington
Blyth Spartans
Bristol City
International jobs:
Football Ferns 2007
All Whites 1983-84
New Zealand U-20 Technical Advisor
Kuwait
Bermuda
Honours:
FIFA Club World Cup 2006 7th place
OFC Club Championship winners 2006
New Zealand Football Championship winners 2004-05, 2005-06
New Zealand Football Championship league winner 2004-05, 2005-06
TBC 2025
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | BU | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 20 | |
2 | AC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 19 | |
3 | WS | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 16 | 18 | |
4 | NC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 17 | |
5 | WP | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 13 | |
6 | WO | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 11 | |
7 | CS | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 11 | |
8 | CT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 9 | |
9 | ES | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 5 | |
10 | WE | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 4 |