31853

31853

That number means more than just "one more than 31852" and "one less than 31854"
And (except for maybe some JAFA's) it also means more than "853 more than 31000"

It means the sport of football is alive an well in New Zealand once more.

Even if it takes someone like Beckham to draw such a crowd, it's still good news for all of us who want to see the sport thrive in our country.

Todays record beating is the effort of so many people. The staff of the Phoenix and Galaxy. The players. Everyone who came outside of Wellington to make the effort to be here. Everyone in Wellington who, be they someone like me who hasn't missed a game, or someone new who came for the first time, took the time to go along.

Only once have I been a sports fixture that had nearly as many people - and those who know me, know that I've been to many.

It was an All Blacks match.

There was one huge difference between these two matches.

a) had a stadium containing a massive, rabid crowd of people chanting, screaming and singing, urging their team on.

b) had four stands - one full of drunken yobbos who only went to get drunk, the other full of people sitting down, only cheering when points were awarded.

If you have never been to either an All Blacks of Phoenix match before, and saw that New Zealand's most popular attendance sports is rugby union, you'd think a) would be the AB's and b) would be football.

Of course, we all know the truth.

Tonight we had 31853 people in the stands, but not only that, but we had 31853 supporting the sport of football, creating such an atmosphere that is unique to football in New Zealand. It has been an event that truly deserves its place among New Zealand's sporting lore, a match to be remembered for the ages.

And because of this atmosphere, I have to split my vote for MOTM. Between these people:

Mike Greene, Steve Jones, Sam Buckle, Adam Brown, Dave Cross, Jon Norman, Regan Young, and Guy Smith.

You lads have created the magic that helped tonight be such a success. Even moreso than Beckham removing his shirt. The atmosphere tonight may not be beaten for a long time, and it is for you that we can thank.

While we can, and do, thank Terry Serepisos, Tony Pignata, Alexei Lalas, and everyone involved in organising tonights fixture, it is to you that we can thank for everything positive that happened in the yellow aisles of the Ring of Fire.

So on behalf of myself and hopefully anyone else who shares these sentiments - thank you all for tonight. The number 31853 belongs to you.

Nice

So very well said robbwatson - a huge thanks to the YF crew for getting this all up and running.

Well said Rob. We witnessed a magical ocassion tonight. Thank you all those mentioned in Rob's message. I too, appreciate the magnificent effort put in to  make it happen. Lonegunmen2007-12-02 00:16:55

Well said and hear hear. Pacwarior2007-12-02 00:36:31

The two kinds of fans I respect the most are a) those who travel a significant distance to make a match, and b) those who take their kids to sports events. Congrats on not just kicking ass, but kicking both cheeks!

well done fans

Aint that what it's about? Getting the family along to support the nix?? Objective achieved. Auckland is a long way but I saw there maybe fans from as far away as Whangarie and Christchurch. Brilliant efforts from any travelling from long distances. I hope they all had a good time.

yea absolutely a massive thanks to the yellow fever guys, i think you have contributed as much as anyone to the success of this club. well done guys, tonight you should be as proud as serepisos and pignata. well said robb

Big ups

Yeah great job Mike Greene, Steve Jones, Sam Buckle, Adam Brown, Dave Cross, Jon Norman, Regan Young, and Guy Smith you have started a great thing in Wellington and I cannot wait for the rest of this season and seasons to come.

If it wasn't for it being on Free-to-Air TV it would  have been a sell out.

Still, a bigger crowd than any of Wellington's Stupor 14 or Sponsors Name Cup games this year

I took my son my daughter and her 2 friends and i spent a fortune...........

Well said Robb!

a great night for NZ football, and all down to Terry, Tony, Ricki and the backroom staff, the players, the sponsors , some of the media, and the wellington sports fans who have been prepared to give football a go (and are now hooked!)

and for me all made so much more intense by this board and the lads who make it happen - cheers to all the YF crew
I reckon the retro- ricki will appear in one of those kiwiana books in 20 yeqrs time alonside the buzzy bee and the hokey-pokey ice cream

"I reckon the retro- ricki will appear in one of those kiwiana books in 20 yeqrs time alonside the buzzy bee and the hokey-pokey ice cream "

Did beckham get a retro Ricki yet?

Big ups to everyone involved

Lonegunmen, it was me who walked up to you at halftime and shook your hand. I recognised you from your photo.

Thanks to Terry Seripisos, Tony Pignata, Ricky Herbert, the organizers of Yellow Fever and everyone else for a remarkable game and a remarkable atmosphere.

It was nice to meet you too. I'm slowly getting to know you all. One big family we all are!

I didnt attend and not going into the reasons why here but "well done to who all made it happen". It was great for football in this country.

Nicely said Robbwatson

How many noticed galaxys new coach and dutch legend Ruud Gillet in attendance. Mastermind2007-12-02 20:24:36

umm i think everyone

I did. Rated up there right behind Cruyff

RW, well said and thanks for previous comments.

"Gillet! The best LA can get!"

Get your coat

Hell no I'm not that stupid....

you didn't really miss too much...invite only yes but also depending on what colour tag you had on your arm...they were whipped off to a private room and only came out a couple of times
I touched David's arm and said Hi David he turned and smiled at me and said Hi how's it going.....then when I asked for a photo the body guards surrounding him said no photos hes had 3 days of it hes tired
I have some of him from the night but none with him....

but was very pleased to meet Ruud oh and I also shook hands and said hi to Cobi Jones who was very pleasant...(and short)

 thanks to Terry and Tony for inviting us we really enjoyed ourselves