PHOENIX FAREWELL TRIO

PHOENIX FAREWELL TRIO

PHOENIX FAREWELL TRIO

 

Wellington

 

WELLINGTON Phoenix FC has released three players from its inaugural squad as the club begins building toward its second season in the Hyundai A-League.

 

Ahmad Elrich and Felipe Campos have not had their one-year contracts renewed by the Phoenix, while short-term replacement Kristian Rees has also been released.

 

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the decision had been a difficult one, with all three players making significant contributions to the club.

 

Marquee signing Elrich, who joined the Phoenix after being released by English Premier League club Fulham, played 13 games and scored one goal � the midfielder hitting a super strike against the Central Coast Mariners that was one of the best goals of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season.

 

Brazilian midfielder Felipe also scored a scorcher for the Phoenix, smashing a long-range left-footed drive past Sydney FC keeper Clint Bolton in the Phoenix�s 2-1 win at the Sydney Football Stadium in round four. Felipe played 17 matches for the Phoenix and scored three goals.

 

Pignata said the Phoenix had been interested in re-signing the playmaking Brazilian.

 

�Felipe had a one-year contract and we had the option to re-sign him for a second season. Unfortunately, we were unable to agree terms and Felipe opted to pursue other opportunities.�

 

Former Adelaide United defender Kristian Rees joined the Phoenix in November as a short-term replacement following the release of disappointing Brazilian players Cleberson and George Paladini. Rees, who came to the Phoenix from the Whittlesea Zebras in the Victorian Premier League, played nine games for the Wellington club and scored a goal against eventual Hyundai A-League 2008 champions the Newcastle Jets in a 3-2 boilover at EnergyAustralia Stadium in round 18.

 

�These guys have been part of something special here at the Phoenix and they�ll always be part of the club�s history,� Pignata said. �Wellington Phoenix thanks Ahmad, Felipe and Kristian for all their hard work and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours in football or otherwise.�

Lets hope they have a good replacement lined up for felipe. A scarecrow will probably be sufficient replacement for Elrich 2ndBest2008-02-27 16:23:37

wow  no felipe   let the speculation begin   who will replace felipe ?
giddyup2008-02-27 16:31:24

Just to make it clear so people don't jump to conclusions, it states quite clearly that it was Felipe who chose to explore other options not the club refusing to sign him or just released him outright.

I know what most of the people will say so just getting in first for those that can't read properly

wonder where he'll end up ?  sad to see him go

 well done felipe  thanks for a great season      all the best mate 

I for one will miss Felipe, he had his critics in terms of his influence on the game, but i believe he always occupied one or two defenders and could create space with the ball at his feet, in a way that few in this league can.

Not to disappointed by Felipe, he never quite lived up to his potential, drifted in and out alittle too much.

its sad to see the end of felipe and rees at the club, i defo wouldnt have released those 2, both are good players and did the phoenix proud.

It was apparent that Rees was on his way a while back - and despite the fact I pliked the physical presence and calmnes he brought to our back four, i can see he perhaps lacked pace -and may have rated himself as worth more $ per week than the club did.

perhaps Felipe misses George

I too thought they had something a little special going on...

Not surprised to see Elrich go...he was not the sort of player the club needed. No doubt he will be picked up by one of the new clubs.

Remember that Felipe came with some contract question marks following his time in Croatia, this could just be an extension of that situation.

After thinking about it I'm pretty happy with all 3 decisions.

Elrich was rubbish apart from his superb goal. He'd been talking about joining his brother at the aeroplanes so I'll look forward to Bertos running rings around him next season and a few "you ate all the pies" and "2 men went to lift, went to lift Ahmed Elrich, 3 men..." chants next season

Felipe really impressed me in some games, but in others went missing, and if he wanted to much cash, we'll the gaffer does have a salary cap to fit under...

Ree's was an excellent stop gap signing, but lets face it he's not going to get any faster. Still he made a great contribution to the Phoenix and I'll give him a clap if he turns out for another team against us.

NEW MARQUEE

The new marquee will probably end up being one of the Kiwis returning home.

bye Felipe...you've got a cool name

Felipe had two really good games and a few good appearances off the bench. Had a great touch but never really backed it up with any footballing brains. Not really *that* sad to see him go.

or screaming it when he takes a corner in the fever zone

ahh sad to see Felipe go, he had his ups n downs, hope they got a south american to hang with daniel!

hmm midfield wise for next season do we need another signing? We've got Daniel, Bertos on the wings, Brown and ferrante cm and possibly Johnson and Aloisi aswell. Looks solid enough but Aloisi and Johnson are getting on.

gutted to see Felipe go, he made a great contribution to the team, elrich wont be missed and Ress did the job he came to do, I'm sure we can find suitable replacements for both Rees and elrich - Felipe will be harder to replace - Good luck to him !!!

The selfish little Brazilan so-and-so, doesn't he realise that I'll have to change my signature now 

Haha crack me up...

Yeah hope theres another big name that comes in
Hows our chances on like killen..? who actually seems to never play with celtic.

Doesn't his mate play for Team Wellington?

Sad to see felipe go, I wonder what happened with the contract negotiations... I don't think Ricki ever had total faith in him (often pulling him from the pitch or starting him in the subs) and maybe that was also a contributing factor. Hope he doesn't end up with any of the other A-League clubs, he could do us some damage.

Rees - a good player, did well for us, provided stability if not a little short on pace. Obviously has been a very good player in the past. Many thanks!

Sad to see Felipe go. He was a great player and I always thought he deserved a little more game time. Hope we can sign a new centre mid. Our defence is starting to look good on paper and Leo and Daniel will be great on the wings. Here's hoping for a better passing game next season

i don't think elrich really gave a flying f**k about us to be honest i reckon he always had next season in his thoughts and that was nowhere near wellington city on a good day
as for rees  he knew the score he was on a short term contract and thats that
i just think felipe needed another season to really begin to fire  but alas we'll never know now

in ricki we trust

Daniels mate... Felipe's brother is around though.

i think it's time we look to Guinea for talent..

Lmao!

Sounds Like Felipe Wants Cash And Terry Has Deep Pockets But not Big enough Arms

 


Looking At german options

i dont even think he was good with team welly

Elrich had to go.

All sound decisions and shows Ricki is not one for sentiment but serious about building a winning team.  Onwards and Upwards.

No chance really, too expensive. I dont think that he has actually started a match but comes on regularly as a replacement in the 2nd half. Came on in the 77th minute last Saturday.