I've just re-borrowed the matchday programme for the Sat, 26 Jan game against Mel C. There was part of David Dome's 'Message of Welcome' that I didn't remember having seen reported anywhere else:
He says a few things about the Wed, 23 Jan game vs Sydney, then goes on as follows:
In a half time chat in front of our corporate partners and VIP dignitaries, Greg noted that Wellington Phoenix has well and truly earned the respect of the football public in Australia. He reiterated Fox Sports pundit Mark Bosnich's view point made on a recent Hyundai A-League Hour that Wellington are very much a title contender and have some of the very best players in the League and one of the best coaches.
He also talked about the future plans to expand the A-League to 11, 12, 14 and eventually 16 teams. As part of those evaluations, New Zealand is still very much in the picture. Wellington of course, but other centres as well. As long as the sporting public in New Zealand continue to support the club by attending and watching games, and the team continues to contribute on the field, then we are seen as a vital member of the League.
He then goes on to talk about the next home game being at Eden Park.
Good news.
I'm sure if the crowd is 20,000 plus on Friday that will be noticed over the Tasman at FFA headquarters, plus also the various members of the New Leagues Working Group (NLWG). They want A League expansion.
I'm sure it will occur to them that Auckland is the biggest market within Australasia without an A League side.
The FFA/Foxtel luuve derbies. Auckland v Wellington would be a NZ derby.
Be interesting to see if they (whoever is running the A League) just wait for some Auckland based bid to come to them (could be a long wait!), or actively approach NZF/ACFC or whoever to see if they can encourage an Auckland franchise bid to unearth itself.
Anyway encouraging musings from O'Rourke.