Reasons to be cheerful Part I

Why do you follow the Wellington Phoenix and how could your experience be made better -discuss.

1. Because the YF elite told me to.

2. Bouncy castles and novelty one-off shirts.

1. It's professional football in Wellington
   1. The Yellow Fever
   2. Did I mention we have a professional football team?
2. Stadium improvements
   1. Better range of food & beer (This is definitely improving, big ups to Shane Harmon for his work here)
   2. A Rectangular Stadium (Pipe dream I know)
   3. An A-League Championship
   4. Less Sunday 7pm games

In case its all taken away from us one day, i want to make sure i enjoy it while i can. Sadly a lot of 'football fans' in wellington dont seem to see it this way

.....and fridge magnets

Wellington has more than just the government

I was taking the piss (literally) at Lovelocks the other night and briefly read an article on the wall from Doom post saying investigations are under way re: the basin to redevelop it for Phoenix/Lions. Only just remembered this now.

edit: here --> http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/10667415/Options-open-on-Basin-Reserve

Hopefully sooner than 20 years

Its more likely to be Newtown Park, connected by rapid bus/light rail....

God no. Just No. Temp seats to make it rectangular, means no cover at all for spectators, (remembering it will have to be dismountable basically in a day)

Make the basin for cricket, then do something at the RoF for Football and eggball, even on a progressive basis, one side at a time if necessary

Half arsed, compromise solutions create more problems and are not what we need

Because Wellington Phoenix FC >>>Newcastle Jest FC

We have a professional football team.  A place to meet new people. A way of letting out a weeks worth of frustration by singing, chanting and yelling and not getting arrested.

For me, its the whole thing. The pre-match anticipation, the pub banter, the walk up and for the game its the crowd and the ability to influence and sometimes turn a game. As a player it winds me up when I see a lack of commitment, so I like to offer my opinion in a public forum. From the first game in 2007, I've only missed a handful of games. Its not West Ham but probably the nearest I can get here in NZ.

And as for making it better; getting Wellington on their arse and away from the TV on matchdays, ditch the Westpac for a small stadium of 12-15,000; renew Ernie's contract; take the 15yr franchise; bring supporters into the boardroom; bring back those "used to come" fans, never ever road-trip again unless its the finals.

Cricket grounds are not designed to provide cover (to the spectators) from the rain, just sunshine (and even that only partially at best). If it starts pissing down, the cricket-watching public leave, to return next day.

Football does not stop just because it starts raining - preferably not on the paying public though. That kind of a solution would simply drive more people in front of telly. In fact I am surprised SKY did not think to sponsor a coverless ground for us as yet.

I tell you the answer is a run away freight train of the end of the yards doing structural damage to Westpac so we can start again.

The people who lobbied for the current white elephant should be held to account for it as it was obviously a failure.

Anyway.  This has gone way off topic. 

I follow the Phoenix because I can.  I follow them for the friends.  I follow them for the banter.  I follow them on the off chance that I can follow them for the winning football.  Everything waits on that moment when we score or that rare moment where we win and nothing (outside life's major events) beats that feeling.

I follow the Phoenix coz I can. It's a point of difference for me (most of my family don't watch football) and I can engage in debate with people both in and out of football circles. I have made many friends through my support of the Nix (as well as All Whites and TW). I have also met some cool people who I wouldn't necessarily class as friends. I have something to do almost every weekend.

I have even learned to handle being teased mercilessly.

Great replies here; I thought it timely we renewed our vows as supporters of the beautiful game!

I think the NUFC beat up is uncalled for to be fair. He's just having a laugh and never actually attacks anyone (something which is actually quite common among other members).

I think this is actually a pretty good forum, the only one I still use.

The forum