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Wellington Phoenix fans celebrate - Source: Photosport -
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The rumour of the Wellington Phoenix moving to Auckland is as crazy as Bin Hammin being elected as President of FIFA after the bribe scandal that has rocked the game.
There are too many positives that have come out of the move by Terry Serepisos setting up the Phoenix in Wellington and the fan base that has grown since for them to move.
For starters I am disappointed at the lack of public support given to the Phoenix by the governing body NZ Football. Not yet have I heard someone say we are right behind Terry and the club after all that the Phoenix have brought the game since its inception. It would seem there are some very short memories in football land.
If we look back to the failure of the Knightz it can largely go down to results on the field, I should know as I played a role in that.
However there are successful teams in Auckland such as the Blues that still fail to draw the type of crowds you would expect for their efforts.
Auckland seems to be lost in a mindset of too many activity options which leaves little time to little support any of the codes, there is an exception with the Warriors. Some would call this South Auckland support, very different to the support that comes from anyone North of Otara through to the North Shore.
There might be no truth to the rumour of a plan B to move the Phoenix to Auckland though where there is smoke there is usually fire. Colin Giltrap is reportedly the man interested, Colin is a good man and very astute investor that would have my vote to own an A-League team.
This should not be in Auckland, Wellington has earned the right to retain a team be it with or without Terry Serepisos.
Right now it remains that Terry has control of the club, it is fair enough that NZ Football are looking at other options with all the media speculation around Terry, although I would also like to hear some support. There have been a couple of new signings lately and things look to be on track for the upcoming season.
I enjoy going to watch the Phoenix whenever in Wellington, it is a very good atmosphere and the Yellow Fever are usually as much the entertainment as the game itself. Bottom line is this will not happen in Auckland.
