Dear YF Fans,
It is with a heavy heart that after three wonderful years I write to you all to say goodbye following my resignation from the Wellington Phoenix.
I leave Wellington and the club on an incredible high � the standout being walking around Westpac Stadium following our semifinal win over Newcastle Jets in front of a sellout crowd. It was a very emotional time and something I will never ever forget. Season 2009/10 has been such a huge success for Wellington Phoenix � sellout crowds, the thumping of Gold Coast United, winning two playoff games in front of record crowds and getting to the Preliminary Final against the eventual champions.
Wellington Phoenix has come a long way in three years and I leave the club and football in New Zealand at an all-time high. I am proud to say that I have played a part in that and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Like all good things it must come to an end and the desire to be with my family back in Melbourne has led me to make this difficult decision.
I would like to thank Terry Serepisos, Ricki Herbert and all the staff and playing group for their support and help during the past three years.
Finally, a massive thanks to you, the fans and members, who are the lifeline of the club. Your support is what makes this club one of the best clubs in the A-League. I will never forget the Phoenix and what we have all achieved to date. The club will always remain a part of me wherever I am.
Go the Phoenix!!
Yours Sincerely
Tony Pignata
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Good luck, Tony, and thanks for everything. 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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All the best mate, you've been a huge part of the clubs success for which I thank you. Good luck in your future.
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Champ. You're a legend TP. Thanks for everything! 
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Second That
Shows how work slows down our fun pastimesHogster2010-06-02 16:17:47
Shows how work slows down our fun pastimesHogster2010-06-02 16:17:47
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Thanks for all your wonderful work Tony, you will be sorely missed.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
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Thanks for all your wonderful work Tony, you will be sorely missed.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
Zero to add.
E + R + O
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Really sad to see you go - it's been a magic 3 years.
I didn't realise until it was mentioned on Saturday night that you were a trans-Tasman commuter, which must have made life difficult.
All the best for the future
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"We've got had the best manager in the League ..."
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I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that we hope we better see you in the away section on the 15th and 19th of September.
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I see that Tony's YF status is 'part timer' .. admins, can this be altered in some way, since he has been far more than that for the Nix???!!!
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I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that we hope we better see you in the away section on the 15th and 19th of September.
This! You'll be Phoenix for life, Tony!
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Champ. You're a legend TP. Thanks for everything!
This. Hero
Thank you so much. All the best, la!
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Thanks for everything Tony, hopefully your replacement comes on these boards
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Thanks so much Tony. I am amazed at how the Phoenix have helped spring to life football in our country, and I have absolutely loved the fact that the CEO of the brand that's promoting that actually spends time to interact on their supporter base forum.
Good luck to you and your family Tony, kia kaha and God Bless.
Good luck to you and your family Tony, kia kaha and God Bless.
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You're a legend Tony!
Don't go!
You've been absolute class. All the best wherever you go next.
Don't go!
You've been absolute class. All the best wherever you go next.
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We got (had) the best CEO, in the league! All the best Tony for you and your family.
COYN! Beijing, China.
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Tony you have played a huge part in the amazing success of the Phoenix over the last 3 years. Thanks for everything.
I don't envy the next CEO they will have huge shoes to fill.
All the best for the future.
I don't envy the next CEO they will have huge shoes to fill.
All the best for the future.
.
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Was Gutted when I read this... First CEO I've ever seen who actually communicated with his customers. Was fantastic being able to see you on the forums from time to time.
Good luck Sir!
Good luck Sir!
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All the best Tony.
So there is an opening for CEO of the Nix, and Hard News is out of work...............Could it be?
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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All the best Tony.
The article on stuff said the club was "in good shape".........�
So there is an opening for CEO of the Nix, and Hard News is out of work...............Could it be?
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All the best Tony.
The article on stuff said the club was "in good shape".........
�
So there is an opening for CEO of the Nix, and Hard News is out of work...............Could it be?
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Thanks for everything you've done.
You made a real difference to football in NZ, and we will always be grateful
Hope your career continues well in Melbourne.
You made a real difference to football in NZ, and we will always be grateful
Hope your career continues well in Melbourne.
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Tony, you should be justifiably proud of your pivotal role in establishing the Nix and your enormous contribution to the success that the Nix has become.
It will have taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears and significant sacrifice by both yourself and your family.
Managers of the Nix will come and go in the future and they will build on the solid foundation you have laid but you will always be the inaugural manager of the Wellington Phoenix.
I sincerely thank you and your family for your passion and commitment and wish you every success in the future.
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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Sad for us but good on you for putting your family first.
all the best and a BIG THANK YOU for what you have done.
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Thank you for all your hard work to make the Nix such a success over the last 3 years. The time you have taken to respond to PMs and posts on the forums has been much appreciated. All the best for your move back to Melbourne.
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Thanks Tony, you're a legend. Wish you all the best for the future.
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Thanks for everything Tony - not going to be able to replace you very easily..
a.haak
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Thank you for contributing so substantially to something that so many wellingtonians and kiwis are immesley proud of. You have left a lasting legacy here and I hope you always look back on this part of your career with fondness and miss us and our passion for the NIX fondly. Best of luck for the future
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Thanx for your driving force energy over your last three years with Nix and good luck for the future...and coming on to the forums to comment occasionally. Gosd CEOs are always in touch...
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
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Dear Tony,
As I write this there are tears flooding down my face onto the keyboard creating an electrical hazard.
But I don't care, I'm just going to keep on typing because right now I really need to tell you how I feel.
I feel weird. Confused. A little bit lost. Hungry. Itchy. But mostly sad. Really sad, like Twilight sad.
Over the past three years you have been the wind beneath our wings.
They say "if you love somebody set them free". Up until now I've always thought it made more sense to lock them in a basement. But in your case I can only say this - I love you man, now fly away home and maybe one day, just maybe, love will lead you back.
I will remember you always,
terminator_x
As I write this there are tears flooding down my face onto the keyboard creating an electrical hazard.
But I don't care, I'm just going to keep on typing because right now I really need to tell you how I feel.
I feel weird. Confused. A little bit lost. Hungry. Itchy. But mostly sad. Really sad, like Twilight sad.
Over the past three years you have been the wind beneath our wings.
They say "if you love somebody set them free". Up until now I've always thought it made more sense to lock them in a basement. But in your case I can only say this - I love you man, now fly away home and maybe one day, just maybe, love will lead you back.
I will remember you always,
terminator_x
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Tony P, one of the greats. A Phoenix Founding Father.
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Thank you Tony for all you have done, it won't be the same without you at the helm. Wishing you and your family the best! The new CEO has gigantic shoes to fill.Oceanic62010-06-02 20:42:46
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Damn it, Tony, what's Melbourne got anyway? Fed Square? AFL 24/7? Gang shootings? Do yourself, your family and the Phoenix a favour and ship them across the ditch to Welly.
I'm really sorry to see you are leaving. From top to bottom this club has been a great success and you have clearly been a major part of that success. Very best of luck.
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Thanx for your driving force energy over your last three years with Nix and good luck for the future...and coming on to the forums to comment occasionally. Good CEOs are always in touch...
As I've said on here before, you guys are/were very lucky that Tony P came on here and spoke to you guys, rare for a professional sporting club CEO to do that.
I'm not a WPFC fan, but all the best Tony back here in Melbourne, it was a nice sunny day here today.
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I like tautologies because I like them.
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