[8] The bid team was backed by Mainland Football CEO Julian Bowden, and were considered heavy favourites for a spot in the national league.
[12] The following month, former Canterbury United defender and Nelson Falcons coach Mark Johnston was announced as inaugural club captain.
[13] In early August of the same year, Tasman United, along with unveiling their strip, announced the signing coup of Paul Ifill, who is the all-time leading goalscorer for Wellington Phoenix.
The match, played at English Park, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Alex Ridsdale scoring the side's first goal, a deflected strike from outside the area.
[24] A couple of weeks back from the break, Tasman caused an upset by grabbing a stoppage time equalizer to draw 1-1 with Oceania champions Auckland City.
[27][28] The side finished their inaugural season on a high note, winning a 5-0 Trafalgar Park victory over Southern United, with striker Alex Connor-McClean scoring four times.
This result meant Tasman finished eighth of ten teams, 13 points behind eventual champions Hamilton Wanderers.