Cap Prem 2020

I think ink the main difference in the start was the boys coming off the ASB Prem so they were fit and ready.

First half (or quarter) of each season for most teams is about finding their links and true match fitness.

Then they lost players to NZ teams, to the Nix for that small sided tourney (in Doha?) etc.

I personally like watching the up and coming players of the future - knowing that many will go on to play for the Nix/NZ maybe even further.

Certainly beats watching men getting paid to play in an amateur league with many changing clubs every second season - to chase more coin.  It's a merry go round really - even with the coaches.  The money spent on some of these teams is crazy.

not sure the integrity remains at all 

Back it up Horseshead.  You talk a lot.  Let's hear it.

Uniteds integrity went out the window the day they sold their first team to the Phoenix. Clubs pay for players, no question and has been occurring for years! But to replace a whole team, with a bunch of kids who have no respect for the clubs identity, in my opinion defaults any right to claim they are a "club team". Regardless of the result today. 

as above I think it is a sell out short and simple, shaft a number of guys who have been loyal to the club for years. If the club was struggling financially for a number of years the committee needs to look at the situation. Siding with nix may have been the right call for the club, but if it was my club I would be unhappy about that situation, using the club as a vehicle... As far as I am aware a number of other clubs told the nix where to get off on there proposal. I just think it is a bit of a sell out, I'm sure others will agree, and I am sure others will disagree. It's just a discussion. And yes I do have a few opinions you are bright man for pointing that out 

or woman rather would hate to be sexist

Is there any truth in the story  that Wellington United had large debt which was cleared by The Phoenix as part of the deal

also saying only 15 of them play in the men's first team.... The first team is the flagship for the club... Seems a bit discrediting 

Watched this as  neutral.  Having followed this thread about the kick off time all week, it seemed to be the match of the day and all that.

Have not seen either side this season.

Thought that Karori were the better side overall.  Having said that, do not recall the Utd keeper from having to make anything other than routine saves until he conceeded with about 5 to go to make it 2-1. In other words for all their possession, they created precious little attempts on goal.

The two united goals on the other hand were very well taken.

A couple of Karori supporters showed their club up poorly IMHO by continuinly attempting to bait the Utd coaching staff over the kick off time from behind the fence near their bench.

Some Karori players would have done a lot better as well if they had not spent a fair bit of the game trying to get into the referee's ear.  Especially true of number 17. 

Categorically no.  Absolutely not, in any way or fashion I can well and truely confirm that.

Good advice Salmon.  I'm happy to engage in robust discussion, especially when my clubs integrity is questioned 

by anyone, given how much personal time and effort effort goes in by many people to keep the old girl afloat.  There is a lot of 

unsubstantiated sharke out there, and I'm just doing what any other red blooded club person would do if they believe fairness

and honesty is not in play.  Enough from me today, apologies Horseshead for being so rude.

healthy debate , happy to discuss in another thread. In no way are my comments meant to take away from the fact that United won today and won the league and by accounts of their season deserved to. Clearly the two best sides played off for the league which is the way it should be. 

Ok so you have confirmed that the Phoenix did not clear the debt. Is there any truth in the story that the club is insolvent?

Absolutely not.  Refer my comment about the amount of sharke flying around everywhere.

This is added, not to justify, defend, or argue for or against the WPX 'take-over/merger' with Wellington United.

It's just *shrug* an additional aspect.

I moved to Wellington in 2009. Since then, I've never had a football club (at least not here in Wellington) that I have had any affinity to, except for the Phoenix. One of the things until the last two years, that I felt frustrated about was that the Phoenix were NOT a football club - to me they were a franchise, being called a football club, and that's it.

Because I had no connection to any local club, despite being passionate about football, I didn't really pay much attention to the local football scene.

That has changed in the last two years, as the Wellington Phoenix has become more of an actual football club. They still are not really a football club in my mind, but they're getting closer and closer all the time. For me, that is a good thing. And it has got me interested in the local football scene.

Firstly the WeeNix playing in the ASB Premiership got me along to local football grounds. I don't think I am alone as a Phoenix fan whose attendance at ASB Premiership games (including Team Wellington home games) has increased as a result of the inclusion of the WeeNix in the competition.

... and then the Phoenix/Wellington United merger happened.

I get the views expressed here, and elsewhere, about the negative sides of this. I am not dismissing them.

BUT, for me, it has finally given me a local club that I feel connected to - Wellington United.

I am still only a part time plastic WU fan. I have "followed" their progress this winter for the first time, and in doing so have paid attention to both the Central League and Cap Prem competitions for the first time. And I have started going along, and watching games, and spending money in the club rooms. And I have enjoyed it.

Despite the claims (and/or realities, depending on who you believe) of displacement and hi-jacking, and a club fabric destroyed or forever changed etc., there is this other upside to the whole thing. For me, at least, it has drawn someone into the local football scene, where previously I didn't feel a part of it. I might get even more involved next year, and might even contribute to the the club, if I can.

I think we should spend more of our energy getting people involved, and attending football, than complaining and backbiting and highlighting and dwelling on the things we don't agree with or see as flaws. Negativity, in any form, is counter-productive. Focus on the positives.

Well said bwtfc-& in summary of *this* thread well done Wellington United AFC on winning the 2015 Capital Premiership and earning the right to challenge Team Taranaki for a place in the Central League

To change the subject I was at the Olympic Upper Hutt game which was highly entertaining. Olympic dropped the 3 players permitted (Mikey, Jimmy and Luis). Upper Hutt were leading 2 1 at half time with both teams creating chances. Luis then scored with a spectacular over head and then got his and Olympics 3rd with a dubious penalty. To my amusement Luis and Jimmy then strolled off changed their kit and turn out for the first team!

I then popped in to listen to the after match speeches only to see only the Upper Hutt team their with no sign of any Olympic players or officials. I asked if I had missed them but was advised that no one from Olympic was here? I understand there was a C/L game on but surely someone from the Olympic club could have been there!

Just quickly on the Wellington Phoenix United thing. One thing to remember is that yes there's definite short term pain in pissing off those recently loyal to the club but if it continues for the long term it will just become the norm and the relationship will be natural. Sometimes you have to roll with change and see it for the positives. If Wellington United (still wearing orange) win the Central League in a few years and are getting good sized crouds at Newtown then they will be having the last laugh.

Not saying I agree or I'd let it happen at my club but looking at bigger picture I can understand some of the justification.

Saw the photos of the game, noticed the Phoenix badge is on the Oranje shirt. Anyone enlighten why this is the case? seems slightly wrong to me, just my opinion though

Well done wellington united? all i saw on those playing shirts was a phoenix logo and don't even get me started on what the coaches were wearing. 

There is a United logo on the normal spot and the Phoenix logo on the other side.

Thought Wharf were the better team for the majority of the game but fell apart a bit after going a goal behind.  Regrouped late and I thought the United attempts to timewaste might come back and bite them after Putt's scrambled goal but they held on.

Good goals by Cherbal for United and harsh on Wharf who any other season would have walked Cap Prem.  They have a very good side and play nice football.  A shame it isn't 2 up and 2 down as they deserve a chance.

thought the officials did alright. What did Rogerson do to get red? Will put him out of playoffs (shouldn't really play for NZA either)

After the ball had gone he clipped a players foot and left him sprawled. Thought it was worth a 2nd yellow not a straight red.

player just told me he lashed out and kicked a player who dribbled past him in frustration. Sounds fair

true

here is a bit of a related discussion thread

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellington-phoenix-discussion/topics/phoenix-outside-the-a-league-caution-needed

Team Naki confirmed. Hopefully they aren't much chop but could be decent. Not sure quite how the rep team things work - as Hayden Laird was playing for another club side I thought. They seem to have an unfair advantage if you ask me

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/71369397/team-taranaki-clinch-federation-league-football-title-with-home-win

they name a squad of 24 players at the start of the season, and can only take from that. In the case of injury/deportation etc, changes can be made until the transfer deadline.

It's just like all the good players playing for a good club - at the higher level (Federation League this year, in their case)...then those that aren't selected (or are really fit/smart/stupid) can play for their local club, when available, within the regulations.

Who's got the unfair advantage?

You did let it happen at your club...

And how did that work out for you when Ole left?

Don't want to make this a habit but I agree with you.

When you around these days there are a bunch of "weird" setups. You've got Ole/Wests and Phoenix/United - same thing effectively - and then you've got Team Naki and Wairarapa United which are both single team entities. The Naki one is even odder (is that a word) because they can be dual registered.

Not quite the same. Nix have full control of first team at United. That wasn't the case at IBU.

Didn't work out as had hoped in the beginning but still believe it was worth a crack.

it is a decent point that if the nix did leave (or their licence expires at the end of the season....) it would leave WU in a bit of trouble wouldn't it? 

It might. But Island Bay bounced back okay.

Why was the game played at a 'neutral venue'?

Here is my write up on the game

Using Firefox on my laptop I gt white text on a blue background...

...but they play on turf every week.  

I believe IBU are still reaping some benefits of having Ole on board. They introduced a level of professionalism required to compete.

Wellington United are a bit more in the shark as their 'second team' has been relegated from Cap 1.

could be your phone should be a purple background