Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix to play in Auckland, Christchurch

233 replies · 6,284 views
about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I'd love to see the Phoenix play in other parts of the country, but not for something as important as a regular season match. Moving a regular season match to Auckland, where football has been undersupported (with the exception of who me and Jag know as awesome minorities) may just remove our home grounds advantage for that game and may cost us those 3 points.
 
Having the Phoenix play in other towns is good if it spreads the marketing base and attracts new fans, with markets such as Palmy and Napier perhaps being the best options due to the likelihood fans from those areas making the trip down to the Ring of Fire. To me the best option would maybe having matches aginst NZFC sides to help promote that competition as well as the Phoenix at the same time (however as has been pointed out, the seasonal time frame makes this difficult)
 
The Phoenix should play every single regular season game they can in Wellington. They only way I'd be fine with it is if EVERY A-League team who get an extra home game that season have to move one to another area, so that we're in accordance with league policy rather than a marketing ploy. We're the Wellington Phoeni, not the NZ Phoenix.
 
If a game does get moved though, I'll be checking airfares ASAP.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Relax guys.  Nothing has been decided.
 
FFA have just asked the question I know your views now and will let FFA know.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Phew, (breathes sigh of relief)
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
As mentioned previously - I strongly believe that all regular home games should be played in Wellington.I think we all agree on that.

But, please no talk of boycotts or protests if one game is taken away from us - that will do nothing for us, and will only give ammunition to the nay sayers.

By all means make our view known here - I'm sure the management will see this.

I do add - if a game is taken to Auckland or Christchurch - as a minimum, all season ticket holders should  be given free entry to the game



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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Or free flights for season ticket holders! Just kidding you. Tony has made his comment and our disapproval of League games being moved from the ROF has been noted.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
There was nothing in Tony's response that guarantees it won't happen,  I'm still a bit cautious given the wording of his response.
 
But he has been responsive as usual, probably can't ask for more than that.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
the knights never played out of auckland for what i know and they were nz knights so why should we play out of wellington. 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I don't think he can ignore such an outcry from the fever regarding this, and if he was going to he would probably not post in this thread to say he's noted our opinions. 

Like most others here I'm happy for pre-season games to be played in the other centres, it's good for football and the nix to have an expanded audience - however during the season is not the right time to do this PR away game BS, we need to focus on winning and YF want to do our part to make every home game hard for our opponents and be the 12th man for our boys.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
My favourite thing about this thread is how we now have 5 pages of people saying the exact same things in 3 paragraphs or more.  Makes great reading.
 

I let my guitar speak for me

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
VimFuego wrote:
My favourite thing about this thread is how we now have 5 pages of people saying the exact same things in 3 paragraphs or more.  Makes great reading.
 
 
You're right, but it just goes to show how strongly people feel. 
 
It's nice of Tony P to come on here and tell us to relax as nothing has been decided, thanks.  The fact that they're even considering it (and talking to the press about it) speaks volumes.
 
A sad episode........
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

All official home games should be in Wellington. And that includes the pre-season Cup. Pre-season preparation matches can be wherever they fall, but official games are played in your home town.

Someone mentioned big bands only playing Auckland being annoying. Yeah, true - but that is completely different. This is not a touring rock band. This is a club that is representing Wellington.
 
I hope Tony P's posting means that Wellington continue to represent Wellington and play all home games at home.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Tony P wrote:
Relax guys.  Nothing has been decided.
 
FFA have just asked the question I know your views now and will let FFA know.
 
I love the fact that tony comes on here and actually takes our views and opinions back to the club!
I look forward to hearing what the outcome is! Personally I feel exhibition games can be used to spread the word, like the Galaxy game etc, but the real season games should stay at home at thew RoF.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
clark007e wrote:
the knights never played out of auckland for what i know and they were nz knights so why should we play out of wellington. 
 
True, but Wynton Rufers Kingz played twice here. Best crowds they ever had
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Pretty sure it was 3 games here.  One in the first season and two in the second. 

The Kingz also played a couple of games in Christchurch, plus 1 in New Plymouth and 2 in Hamilton.

That's league matches.  Pre-Season they played all over the place.
Hard News2008-02-26 13:39:20

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Lets be fair here lads they were the NZ Kingz and Knightz, and by their name had an obligation to the NZ fans to play away from Auckland - they were claiming all of NZ as home after all - the Phoenix have never, will never (I hope) have NZ in their name and therefore should have no obligation to tour the country and take games away from there local fanbase.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I don't think the Kingz ever played under the NZ banner. They started off as Auckland Kingz then changed to Football Kingz as far as i'm aware.

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't advocating it merely providing details.

Incidentally, they were the Football Kingz (never Auckland to anyone but the media) only the Knights used the name New Zealand although I usually called the Knights the North Shore Shambles.
Hard News2008-02-26 14:09:00

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
the logistics of taking single games to new venues must be a bit of a nightmare I would have thought.
 
The u17 World Cup chap did say the stadium would not be available for a few weeks due to WC games there - so might be better to have an internal roady rather than a load of away games

Founder

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
New venues add costs as well.  You have to ship two sides to another town and do travel and accomodation for both of them as opposed to just having to worry about the visiting side.

You'd want to guarantee a good crowd or have the FFA covering the additional costs if they propose a move.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Feverish wrote:
The u17 World Cup chap did say the stadium would not be available for a few weeks due to WC games there - so might be better to have an internal roady rather than a load of away games
 
No, I don't think so. A load of away games would be either preceded or followed with a load of home games, so it would even out. An internal roady is a home game(s) lost to an away venue, followed by a real away game(s).
 
Anyway, let's look at the Wellington load:
- Thurs Oct 30
- Sun Nov 2
- Tues Nov 4
- Sat Nov 8
 
So assuming they wouldn't let us play on, say Fri/Sat Oct 31/Nov 1 and/or Fri/Sun Nov 7/9, we're talking two weekends. We had three away games on the trot last season, so I don't see that the U17 Womens WC should be an issue.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
i was talking from the point of view that not seeing them live for three weeks did my head in (though I could always do another Oz trip then)

Founder

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
i think the Lions might have a week booked for finals perhaps

Founder

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Yeah, but an internal road trip to AKL/CHC/etc is going to mean not seeing them live for the same amount of weeks for the majority of people. Realistically, we're not going to take most of our usual 12000 people to a NZ away game.
 
The Lions? Are they coming back over? That was bad enough the first time - and the Kiwis wouldn't believe me when I, an Englishmen, told them that I'd never even heard of the British & Irish Lions until I came to NZ.
 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think a "We're not Auckland anymore" chant will be as enjoyable if we're playing out at Albany.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oh the Wellington Lions I thought Wellington were the Hurricanes...
 
And I had to google N00b
SiNZ2008-02-26 14:57:27
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Feverish wrote:
i was talking from the point of view that not seeing them live for three weeks did my head in (though I could always do another Oz trip then)


If you're going to go to Aussie again then I'll have to once again chaperone you.....

I'm hoping we'll have back to back games in Brisbane one weekend and then against Gold Coast the next weekend.....an immense YF roady........anyone keen?




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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Probably, but I'll have Mrs. News and the Junior News with me if it's Queensland, so benders will be limited.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Milky Pisswit wrote:
 
No bad buzz to the fans outside Wgtn, but I doubt the atmosphere at the RoF can be replicated elsewhere, and that's all part of home game advantage.
 
 
I agree entirely. I'm in Palmerston North but wouldn't even want the Phoenix to play here as I know the local atmosphere wouldn't be aything like the RoF unless 1000 YF supporters made the trip north.
 
Wellington has the best stadium in the country and the best sporting atmosphere by far. Lets keep it there.
Gooner 4 Life2008-02-26 17:10:48
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Hello, am I the only person to see this????? The FFA has asked the question, OBVIOUSLY they have it in the back of their minds to expand into other NZ markets and want the Nix to test the waters, as it were.
 
Sometimes my brilliance astounds me 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

everyone at Putaruru's gonna be bummed..
I like tautologies because I like them.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Would we get a bigger crowd in Auckland or Christchurch?  Nowhere near it, so there is no business case for doing it.  Besides, it would just be like another away game for our guys.  I think the people have spoken so hopefully that's the last of it. 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Napier Phoenix wrote:
Hello, am I the only person to see this????? The FFA has asked the question, OBVIOUSLY they have it in the back of their minds to expand into other NZ markets and want the Nix to test the waters, as it were.
 
Sometimes my brilliance astounds me 


That wouldn't surprise me at all, but it's one thing to contemplate it with the Aus sides who have 3 seasons to establish support and the fan base, it's another to contemplate doing to second season.

Honestly Tony, unless the FFA are offering you a serious $$ incentive I'd be thinking no.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I wonder if any of the Aussie clubs have been approached to play games outside their home cities,I can just imagine what the response would be if if CCM the Jets ot the Victory were asked to play outside their home base.

Would have thought the Phoenix should be more focused on building their fan base at the Ring Of Fire in the 2nd season than contemplating taking games away from there.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I'd be questioning the motives of FFA if they push this idea on us, and noting their hypocrisy given their response (to the admittedly looney) idea of the 39th round
 
I don't think this issue will go away until we get a clear statement from the club that our home fixtures will be at home!
 
 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Coxey wrote:
Feverish wrote:
i was talking from the point of view that not seeing them live for three weeks did my head in (though I could always do another Oz trip then)


If you're going to go to Aussie again then I'll have to once again chaperone you.....

I'm hoping we'll have back to back games in Brisbane one weekend and then against Gold Coast the next weekend.....an immense YF roady........anyone keen?

 
ouch my liver hurts already

Founder

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Cosimo wrote:

everyone at Putaruru's gonna be bummed..
 
Both of them
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Its too soon in the life of the club to consider going to other venues.

Build up the base in Wellington, win more games there, get our team well up the ladder.

Then think about taking the team away, and then.... decide not to.

Its quite simple really. This team travels too much as it is.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
If anyone wanys us to go to another city in the name of developing the game in NZ, let them get some money together and make it financially viable.  We're a business not a charity.  The Nix is a professional club in a country with a track record of professional clubs going tits up due to financial mis-management.  Did the LA Galaxy come here for the good of the game? Do Man U go and play in Asia to spread the word?  Course not, it's for guaranteed cold hard cash. 
 
Do the Warriors or the Breakers play home games in other cities?  No way.  Wellington people have paid good money for our team and it should stay here at all times unless there is a big profit in it for the club. 
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Imagine playing a League game in Alice Springs??
 
It's f**ken 40 degrees celcius there in the middle of the night, can you guess what the day time / evening temp would be on a pitch made up of iron sand??
 
Pure madness. Worst idea since that clown picked up the ball and ran with it.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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