Congratulations My Old Friends In NZ

 

Some of you older fans may remeber me from the 1st season of Phoenix football. Im Dean the arsenal fan and vocal supporter of NZ football, even though im English.

 

Well now living in Budapest, but planning a comeback to Wellington next year. Ok, I watched the game, and I was so so very happy that the AW have made it through to SA. I have several points that have to be done if this miracle isnt capalized on, as NZ Football have been here before, and the results were poor on and off the pitch.

 

Firstly, the  money that this generates has to go back into NZ Football, and not just into there bank acccounts. It has to go into devloping the game at all levels, and at all grades. Yes some of the money should go to the Phoenix, even though they are a professional club playing in a foreign league. They are going to be the benchmark for where the young kids have to aim for. Sure in 82 there was no local league for the players to show there talents in, now there is, and this has to be supported. The NZFC should also benefit in the same way, with money being given to the clubs to devlop local acadamies, where players can improve there skills.

 

Secondly, Rickki THE GODFATHER Herbert has to be given freee run ove how he wants the set up to be. He is the most qualified man in the country when it comes to footballing matters, and if club and country dont tie him down to a long term contract, he will be temepted by another job. All great managers have managed at international level, and the worst thing that could happen is that he tempted by a European team after the world cup.

 

The AW havent got a Winton Rufer this time around, so they will have to bee stong and play to there limited strenghts, and ssurely the only ambition for the tournament would be to win one of the group games. They will be the lowest team ranked at the cup, but that shouldnt bother the boys. as I believe that this team are laying the foundations for the future generation who have a completley different outlook to what that 82 team had, and I would never darken the achievements of either team.

 

Now, I really am going to enjoy the cup, as England are giving me the feeling that we can really achieve something unnder Capello. His level headedness, makes this England stepic actually think that aiming higher than just the QF is quite realistic this time around, and now the AW have made it through. It adds a real romance to the whole thinng for me.

 

The final dream is that its England, Australia, New Zealand, Cameroon in the group games.

 

Looking forward to being back on deck with you guys this time next year.

 

Regards

 

Dean