Manawatu profit from Auckland's success

Youngheart Manawatu stands to receive $107,000 as its share of the payout from Auckland FC's success at the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

With their fifth place at Abu Dhabi, Auckland have earned US$1.5 million (NZ$2.11m) for football in New Zealand.

Half of that, US$750,000, goes into Auckland's coffers, 10 per cent to New Zealand Football to invest in the New Zealand Football Championship and the remaining 40 per cent is split between the other seven NZFC franchises.

It was the fourth appearance by a New Zealand team at the Club World Cup, with Waitakere United competing in the two years after Auckland City's debut in 2006.

"If one of the New Zealand teams doesn't win Oceania, we don't get anything," general manager Kevin Monk said.

Although this year's will be the biggest payout by far, Manawatu still needs sponsorship to survive.

Monk said the payout had become "part of budgeted revenue" for his franchise.

That's assuming the Fifa money arrives and isn't diverted into another area.

However, the national body should be in good financial shape following the All Whites' feat in reaching the World Cup, reaping NZ Football $6m.

While the money kicking back is a bonus, having the Auckland teams playing in Oceania and Abu Dhabi has messed up the NZFC schedule.

The last straw was when the away game against Auckland on Sunday was postponed because only half of the players would have returned from Abu Dhabi in time.

YoungHeart Manawatu weren't happy because their players had been training for the game and postponements were supposed to be made four weeks ahead, and in writing, not five days beforehand.

Auckland carry a squad of 24 and in the past have played a day after returning from overseas.

With no weekends free next year to play the delayed match, Manawatu are urging Auckland to play the game in Palmerston North.

- © Fairfax NZ News