Grand Final hero Cam Howieson didn’t get his chance in professional football until he was 30, but he’s more than made up for lost time after firing Auckland FC to a maiden Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
The Central midfielder’s 60th minute deflected strike proved to be the difference between the Auckland and Sydney FC at Go Media Stadium as the Black Knights held on to became the first ever New Zealand side to win the Championship.
Signed as part of the inaugural Auckland FC squad ahead of their debut A-Leagues campaign in 2024-25, Howieson has found regular first team football hard to come by at Go Media Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: Auckland crowned Isuzu UTE A-League Champions after knocking off Sydney FC
However a mixture of injuries and form has seen Howieson given his shot by Head Coach Steve Corica towards the back end of the campaign and the midfielder has taken his chance with both hands, culminating in first Isuzu UTE A-League Championship for both he and the Black Knights.
“I’ve had to wait quite a while,” smiled Howieson when speaking to the Paramount+ team after the full time whistle sounded.
“I signed when I was 30 and probably there was a little bit of doubt there, not from just myself, but probably from everyone around me.
“But you know, I’ve felt right at home when I signed, and I’ve had to wait for my opportunity, to be honest.
BIG NEWS: APL announces new partnership with Paramount ANZ
“We’ve got great quality in the side, and probably down to injuries I’ve got my chance coming into finals football, and I’m just glad that I took the opportunity.”
Not just sealing the Grand Final with his first ever goal for the club, Howieson also took home the Joe Marston Medal awarded to the best player in the season finale.
“I thought we defended very well, and we probably played a bit scrappy at times, but it’s a final. When you get the goal, you just.. it’s all about defending, and you know, putting the ball in the channel. It doesn’t matter. We were fighting for everything, and it paid off.
“We’ve been waiting for a professional club up here in the North Island for quite some time. Obviously, had two clubs before, and we wanted to make it very special. And from day dot, the Port, everyone’s got right behind us.
“We feel the support here right now, and you know, when we’re grafting in the final moments, they push us through it, and it feels like the whole community behind us, boys, girls, everything, and yeah, exciting times to come.
Making the night even more special for Howieson was the fact he had a few special guests in attendacce at Go Media Stadium to see him shine on the biggest stage.
“My wife and kids, it’s their first time coming this season. My oldest girl’s in a wheelchair, so it can be very tough for her to come to these games, but it was a special occasion tonight, and it was one that you know they wanted to come to. And what a game to come to.”
