April 18th - D-Day

Smithy,

As you are aware, I worked with Ian Wells for 3 months in early 2007 ( unpaid and at my own direct costs) to first win the A League licence for Wellington after the Knights collapsed and then to set up the arrangements with Terry, NZ Football and Football Federation Australia to establish the Wellington Phoenix.

For the past 4 years I have supported Terry and the club at all times and it has been great to see the success the Phoenix has helped deliver for Football in this country, including the All Whites qualification and subsequent excellent performances and results in the World Cup in South Africa which would not have happened without Terry's hardwork, commitment and the role the Phoenix have played.

NZ wouldn't have just won the hosting rights for the under 20 World Cup in 2015 if it hadn't been for the Phoenix either.

These were the points I made to Radio Sport when they called me on thursday.

With regard to Team Wellington, I am still a Director and when I stepped down as Chairman at the end of last season I passed on a $50,000 surplus which would have been $100,000 if Waitakere United had won the O League Final in April, which a NZ side had done in each of the previous 5 seasons.

Perhaps you might like to explain to the YF Forum, the Company listed with the NZ Companies Office called YELLOW FEVER Limited of which you have been listed as a Company Director ??

I'm sure YF members would be interested in your YF commercial company activities.

John Dow

Aren't you guys the kind of guys who beat up the geeks in high school?

I always thought we were football geeks..

this should be interesting

Fair enuf.

I wasn't here in 2007, as you know, so can't speak about the history of the Phoenix licence.

I've lately been given good info by people currently involved in TW that I referred to in my earlier post. If what they have told me is true, then you got paid more in a year with TW than I have ever received in 10 years involved in the game as, essentially, a volunteer.

The last (and only) time we spoke, over lunch, about a TW academy concept, you indicated money was very tight. At that time it sounds like you were getting paid well by TW, but scrimping on establishing any youth development programme, which you'll recall I offered to run for free.

As for Yellow Fever Limited. Greenie, News and I are the directors of Yellow Fever, and our accounts - showing very small surpluses - are a matter of public record.

None of the three of us, or any of the other people involved in the admin of the Fever, have ever been paid for our work. I'm certain that's a statement you can't make.

Now I must run, I have to help Dale organise our golf fundraiser tomorrow and think about how we can publicise both the National Women's Youth League final tomorrow, and Team Wellington on Sunday. If it was at Newtown Park I'd be ground announcing (again, for free).

Peace out.

Smithy.

OH SNAP!

But seriously, nothing would make me happier than to think that Yellow Fever was so popular that Smithy, News Feverish and whoever else set up/runs this site was living large off the advertising revenue and T-Shirt sales (& fees for media whoring?).

Somehow though, I doubt it.

Mrs News also wishes.

If media whoring paid I'd be a millionaire.

I have no idea why this is supposed to be a problem, but this forum just keeps bringing the popcorn-scarfing action.

Good man Stripes. It wouldn't last: it's all sweetness and lightness at first, then it's eggs for Napier and handjobs for goalies and bondage with the mods.

Geez, so smithy is a big wig? I wouldn't have picked it

don't close this thread down guys, I think this may get interesting

You really are epicly clueless...

Actually, Greenie is the only director of Yellow Fever Ltd.

Jeez. Now I'm really worried!

You're right I didn't realize the link between you and smithy at all

Not saying that's s bad thing, just good to know

What.  The fact that we're backroom staff, post most of the Fever related announcements, are in the media as fever spokesmen and finish each other's sentences wasn't enough for you? Hard News2011-03-11 19:20:23

If you don't like the runners of the site or how its run theres another site down the road its called Fourfourtwo.

Lol, no I just thought you guys had plenty of time on your hands an liked a good Phoenix discussion. Now if you told me you were partners of 2nd best, you would have lost my respect

he's not like a sleeping partner is he? AucklandPhoenix2011-03-11 19:23:25

Pretty sure he did not say that.

]


Yeah

Still think you're in with a chance then?

Excuse me, I resemble that remark

Got pictures of yourself in a bridesmaids dress?

wow not sure what's going on here - but please don't sue me

I just hope John comes back to respond to smithy's remarks (which were preety damming) AucklandPhoenix2011-03-11 20:02:10

Don't they teach spelling in lawyer school?

i hope for his sake he doesn't.

Apparently they don't teach you about what you can sue people about either.

I dictate at work

starting to get a bit nervous about you el grapadura, I see you are Backroom staff!!!!!!

Actually, I'd know if Doloras moved in "very similar political circles" to me.  As she doesn't - the inevitable fruitless arguments would just be a waste of time.

So, what you said, except without the sweetness and lightness.

I can certainly confirm that John Dow and Ian Wells were instrumental in bringing the A-League license to Wellington. They did a lot of the initial leg work around town and kept the idea alive long enough for Terry to hear about it and ride in on a white horse.

I don't know anything about any Team Wellington stuff.

Smithy,

I think the Yellow Fever has made a huge contribution to Football, not just in Wellington but throughout all of New Zealand and you should all be congratulated for this excellent work.

If you have turned this into a commercial business activity, then that is fine by me as Football needs business entities and activities to keep driving it forward in this country in my opinion.

This is why the Phoenix are so important and we all want them to survive, and evolve into a champion A League club and keep professional Football in this country growing.

I also have no problem with people like yourself making comments and criticisms of others involved in Football, including about myself, even if you choose to do this from behind a pseudonym.

However you need to get your facts straight before you go lashing out, which as a lawyer you should understand better than most.

The short time for which I received a very modest payment from Team Wellington was to not only be the Executive Chairman but I also spent 6 months of solid effort putting together and presenting the Wellington Bid for our city to host the All Whites versus Bahrain World Cup Qualifier.

This involved negotiating a significant amount of sponsorship support for this match and the Bid was ultimately successful resulting in a $1 million gate for NZF and over $10 million for NZF ( and the players) for winning through to the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

TW received a $50,000 payment for this work of which I received a small percentage.

As you know this was a very big night for Football, Wellington and the whole country and also helped boost the Phoenix towards its great run into the Finals which included another sold out Football match at the Stadium.

Also, from the TW squad that season, 3 players Barron, Bannatyne and Peverley went to the World Cup with Barron getting game time against then World Champion's Italy. Recently 3 players from that squad Gleeson, Keat and Peverley signed MLS contracts in the USA, Draper is currently the top goal scorer for semi professional club Basingstoke in England, Michael Winsauer has just had a good season playing professionally in Switzerland.

I find it difficult to comprehend how and why you wish to be so negative and maliciously critical of this TW work.

I recall your proposal to run a Football Academy, which includes a suggested management fee to yourself ( I still have the document), and am fully supportive of you earning from the game if you are able to.

At the time TW were awaiting funding from FIFA which as it transpired arrived 6 months later than originally proposed, hence our tight financial situation at that time.

When I was Chairman of TW the ground announcers were always paid, however things may have changed this season, so thanks for making a voluntary contribution if that is the case.

Smithy, your comments about me on this Forum today have been inaccurate and false.

Good luck with the Golf Day tomorrow.

John Dow

Wow you are a lawyer as well smithy?

Remember rule 99