The game was played against Carlton SC and even though it resulted in a 0–3 loss was an enthralling start to the professional era in New Zealand.

Mike Petersen was signed as the new manager and he brought with him a number of players including a young goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos to be part of the squad.

As he had a reduced budget he recruited from around New Zealand introducing to the team Raf de Gregorio and Jeremy Christie.

While the club had some very talented young players it struggled to compete but managed to achieve a better final position in the National Soccer League than the season before, finishing 11 out of 13.

The National Soccer League was in a very bad financial state and fans were losing interest across the competition.

Knowing that this was going to be the last NSL season very little was spent on improving the squad and rumours spread that the club was struggling financially.

This was to cost Ken Dugdale his job and he was replaced on a temporary basis by his assistant Tommy Mason.

The new owners felt that the playing squad needed strengthening and brought Danny Hay in, making him the new captain at the same time.

The club's very last game was on Sunday 29 February 2004 winning 4–3 at home to the Brisbane Strikers.