Domey says fudge metrics.

We need to hit a crowd figure of 10k soon. Just to prove to those pricks we can do it.

An accurate representation of me right now -

But Wellington Phoenix's future is now in serious doubt, with the real possibility it is about to lose its licence when it comes up for renewal next year.

Chief Executive David Gallop admitted the topic came up in the board meeting that decided the current expansion plans but Nikou said it would be disrespectful to go into more detail.

But letting Phoenix's licence go unrenewed opens the door for Canberra to pick up Phoenix's spot the following season to join at the same time as South-West Sydney to make the A-League a 12 team competition.

"Phoenix are part of the A-League and they know what they have to do to be in the A-League," warned Nikou.

And then it becomes a 13 team competition the next year anyway, so byes would be back? Something doesn't quite add up.

.... and FFA also have that sign on their boardroom wall:

Not exactly sure why those comments change anything for us. They are just stating the current facts. At the moment out licence is with the FFA. At some point it's likely it won't be.

Although perhaps FFA will have visions of them retaining (some?) goverance of the league. 

I read comments from one of the chairs of the Canberra bid - said to "read in between the lines" "what was said by the FFA was very deliberate" etc. and seems very confident they will have an A-League team shortly. (wish I could find it - was on twitter)

This plus Nikou's comments about how they discussed the Nix but "now wasn't an appropriate time" points towards Canberra replacing us when our license expires next season. Can anything save us? Fudge knows. They wouldn't be bothering to make these plans if they thought they would have no power soon.

Sigh, I am so sick of this bullshark. It seems like every time we start to feel positively about the team, this happens.

Does canberra even have a money behind it?
Just seems like it's easy click bait over there to have an article when the FFA can't provide any guarentees.

Nix being a success this season and next on field will give them headaches giving our license to some starterpack kit group

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/canberra-a-lea...

Yes. 

Indo wonder if it is a hedge, if nix perform, then they jump to 14 teams, if they don't perform, then keep at 13 through license transfer...

I think it's a 'the metrics have been a smokescreen all along and it wouldn't matter if you were getting 20k crowds, we just want you gone' kinda deal

Doesn't matter what the FFA think or want.

The nix getting 20k is not even in the realms of fantasy

"We want 10k!"

We know we can't meet Gallop's metrics.

If the new A-League after March is still run by Gallop's rules, we're doomed, no hope.

If the FFA are excluded after March, there is hope.

Everything depends on March. So why worry about anything anyone says now?

Would still like to hear something from Rob confirming that he remains optimistic about our long term future, and that we'll have one without Gallops rules. 

One interpretation of recent media coverage: we know that certain Aussie journos act as mouthpieces for the FFA. Could it be that the point of "we might kick Nix out to give Canberra a spot" is precisely to win Canberra over to a NixOut position?

MEDIA - WE DON'T MENTION WELLINGTON

that’s just weird

So bloody much this.  When things get good, this shark resurfaces so us fans don't feel too optimistic.  Can't help with crowds either.

If we get into the finals, get a home one, and sell the stadium out, that's our best chance for good crowds next year.  God I hope we exist in a few years.  I've spent too much time and money to be in those crowds for it to be for naught in a few years.

What if the FFA kicked us out and then the A League became independent? Could we live up to our name and get brought back in? I would like to think that it wouldn't be too difficult if the A League clubs wanted us back

They might want us back but the club as we know it might not survive in the meantime. I would much prefer the independent A-League to take over while we are still in the comp, with a decent team and a decent coach.

independent league must happen asap, I assume this is set for March 19? Once the the clubs can have full say in who plays in the league then we'll be safe - assuming the cronies in the FFA dont manage to sneak into the new independant a-league structure somehow.

I think this is what's driving the FFA agenda to seize the control of "expansion", they are trying to have their say what team gets in or gets out before the clubs do.

Independent A-League is our only hope of staying anywhere. 

My impression - #APFCA gave away the vote on Independent A-league to the Federations of OZ to get rid of the dictatorship. (SLowyFFA)

So Nix future lies with the Australian Federations.  #Lotto odds are our future!

A simple example as to why we will never meet the metrixs.

Football Insider Forum.

Wales and England are different countries which are part of the same state - like Catalonia and the Basque country are part of Spain (for now).
On the other hand, Korea and Ireland are both single countries divided into two states...

Uh-oh. Then FFA dangling the carrot of "Nix out, Canberra in" might be very cunning, to get the ACT vote...

Not sure what the right thread for this is, but Gallop is holding a press conference in about half an hour, apparently! #GallopOut hopefully ?

Surely more likely to be about the Matildas debacle? Nix unlikely to be top of Gallop's radar right now I'd have thought. 

North Island and South Island?

I have been one person divided into two states for the last two Nix games: the states of despair and euphoria.

Maybe a bit of a left-field suggestion - if the league does go independent and our future is secured, why not float the idea of selling a fraction of the club ownership to the public, the fans. Sell say 20% through one of those NZ crowd funding websites - enough for fans to feel closer to the club, while still not affecting the decision making, which can be left to the majority owners so they still feel comfortable being able to run the club. How cool would it be to say you own a share or two in a professional football club! Would encourage greater participation and alignment with the club. Just like for example, if you are a shareholder in Air NZ, you would be more likely to try and fly with Air NZ rather than jetstar (along with a couple obvious reasons!). 

Plus, having fans as shareholders, would encourage said shareholders to convince more friends and family to come along as they would have a bit of skin in the game.

Pretty sure this is how they do it with a lot of German clubs, it sounds like a great idea to me.

On another note, One of the owners (believe it was Henry Tait) put a cheeky 1000 dollar bar tab on at the pre match bar in Melbourne. I know its not the first time hes done this but gee whiz its fantastic to have owners who really care about the fans' experience. 

Theyve copped alot of flack re decisions to move games out of Wellington but need to appreciate that we have some of the best owners in the league. Very happy they own the nix.

Free booze. A seducer since the beginning of time!

Might need more fans first..