Wellington Phoenix

Club Overview

Club History

During the later stages of the 2006-07 season, the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) removed the New Zealand Knights's (NZK) A-League licence due to club's financial and administrative problems and poor on-field performance. After the resignation of the NZK board, FFA transfer the licence to New Zealand Soccer (NZS -now New Zealand Football) to administrate the rest of the club's season before it's subsequent dissolution.

FFA then invited NZS by giving a provisional A-League licence to sub-let the licence to a suitable New Zealand team to enter the A-League 2007-08 season. The FFA provided an application deadline to NZS which was subsequently delayed to give more time for potential applicants in New Zealand to apply along with NZS support.

While NZS was given a chance to apply with a new sub-licencee, a Townsville-based consortium, Tropical Football Australia (TFA) also expressed interest and prepared an A-league application to replace the place previously held by the Knights.[1] However, TFA eventually pulled out with the understanding of the FFA's preference to retain a New Zealand team for the league. TFA later resubmitted their bid in the following year as a potential A-League expansion franchise under the name of "Northern Thunder FC" which eventually change to "North Queensland Thunder"

After much delay, the final money amount needed for the final application came from Wellington Property Businessman Terry Serepisos in the last moments of the bid giving much the relief to the New Zealand football fans. The club's majority owner and chairman Terry Serepisos provided NZD $1,000,000[citation needed] to ensure the beginnings of a new New Zealand franchise and a continuation of New Zealand's participation in the A-League. Football Federation Australia (FFA) finalised a three year A-League licence to New Zealand Football who then sub-let the licence to the Wellington-based franchise. The Wellington franchise was confirmed on March 19, 2007.

The name for the new club was picked from a shortlist of six, pruned from 250 names suggested by the public, and was announced on March 28, 2007. Serepisos said of the name: "It symbolises the fresh start, the rising from the ashes, and the incredible Wellington support that has come out".

In November 2007, Sony NZ Ltd came on board as the team's principal sponsor.

Club Rivalries

Stars of the Current Squad

Club Legends

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

Club Management

Uniforms

Stadium

Sponsors

www.sony.com

Important Links

www.wellingtonphoenix.com
www.yellowfever.co.nz

References

www.wikipedia.com
www.wellingtonphoenix.com
www.yellowfever.co.nz