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WPM 2026/27 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

456 replies · 36,780 views

1 day ago

Nelfoos wrote:
Was last listed in a WeeNix squad on 20 June from what I can see on socials, so has missed a couple for whatever reason.

I recall YHM saying something about him being UK bound a while back?

Gone to MK Dons apparently. Lost Charlie Hale to AFC Reserves just recently as well.

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1 day ago

Bradman99 wrote:
Nelfoos wrote:
Was last listed in a WeeNix squad on 20 June from what I can see on socials, so has missed a couple for whatever reason.

I recall YHM saying something about him being UK bound a while back?
Gone to MK Dons apparently. Lost Charlie Hale to AFC Reserves just recently as well.

Yeah, this. Looks like he left last week.

Though you wouldn't think it going off the ressies squad list they posted up earlier today prior to their match with FC Western. Also includes Charlie Hale in there too ffs. 🙄

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1 day ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
Bradman99 wrote:
Nelfoos wrote:
Was last listed in a WeeNix squad on 20 June from what I can see on socials, so has missed a couple for whatever reason.

I recall YHM saying something about him being UK bound a while back?
Gone to MK Dons apparently. Lost Charlie Hale to AFC Reserves just recently as well.
Yeah, this. Looks like he left last week.

Though you wouldn't think it going off the ressies squad list they posted up earlier today prior to their match with FC Western. Also includes Charlie Hale in there too ffs. 🙄

Wouldnt trust what they post sadly its an area the Phoenix are really slack in,and despite errors being pointed out little effort is made to correct things. Just one of a number of things the Phoenix really need to lift their game in. Their fan engaement has become really sloppy and is lacking with some good effort.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

ballane wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Bradman99 wrote:
Nelfoos wrote:
Was last listed in a WeeNix squad on 20 June from what I can see on socials, so has missed a couple for whatever reason.

I recall YHM saying something about him being UK bound a while back?
Gone to MK Dons apparently. Lost Charlie Hale to AFC Reserves just recently as well.
Yeah, this. Looks like he left last week.

Though you wouldn't think it going off the ressies squad list they posted up earlier today prior to their match with FC Western. Also includes Charlie Hale in there too ffs. 🙄

Wouldnt trust what they post sadly its an area the Phoenix are really slack in,and despite errors being pointed out little effort is made to correct things. Just one of a number of things the Phoenix really need to lift their game in. Their fan engaement has become really sloppy and is lacking with some good effort.

Yeah I usually cross reference with a few other sources to see who has played if I can't watch it. Would love the club to front foot some of this stuff (players moving on, accurate information etc) but I do enjoy the sleuthing aspect to it all.

Trenberth & Clegg are in NZ camp over in Aussie for the OFC U16's and other regulars for the ressies McCarron and Gardiner are presumably going to be in line for preseason with the first team, given thats going to be coming up very shortly (and our lack of a full squad on that side of things). We also seem to have picked up a young keeper from Apia Liechardt too in Liam McMaster.

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1 day ago

Any relation to Griffin?

Valley FC til I die?

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1 day ago

Nelfoos wrote:
Any relation to Griffin?

You'd hope not, for a multitude of reasons

Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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1 day ago

I think the Nix missed an opportunity to loan out some youngsters to the SIU Oceania pro league squad. It’s certainly a step up from local leagues and would have given the likes of Cassidy, Smith etc a decent exposure to the pro game.
Unfortunately I don’t think the Nix management were on their game with the OPL.
So far no rumors of an OPL expansion. If it’s not going to include the Nix next season then maybe time to reconsider loaning SIU some Nix youngsters.

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1 day ago

austin111 wrote:
I think the Nix missed an opportunity to loan out some youngsters to the SIU Oceania pro league squad. It’s certainly a step up from local leagues and would have given the likes of Cassidy, Smith etc a decent exposure to the pro game.
Unfortunately I don’t think the Nix management were on their game with the OPL.
So far no rumors of an OPL expansion. If it’s not going to include the Nix next season then maybe time to reconsider loaning SIU some Nix youngsters.

Plenty of rumors flying around about it,maybe they just arnt being talked about.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

OFC have basically said that there will not be any expansion for next season, ie it will stay 8 teams.
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pro-league/106743838

Though prospective new clubs, eg the Nix, New Caledonia or whoever are welcome to submit a EOI to enter at some future date.

And if one of the existing 8 clubs fails to met certain criteria a new club could effectively be given their licence. Something like that.

Given how gutted Domey was about the Nix not getting spot in the 1st season of the OPL, including some shots at SIU getting effectively the Nix's spot, their was never going to be any collaboration between those 2 clubs in season 1 of the new comp.

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about 16 hours ago · edited about 16 hours ago · History

It's useful to look at the Niche Cache's weekly domestic wraps, to get a summary of who is coming through the Reserves team and worth a watch.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2026/6/29/aotearoa-domestic-football-roundup-june-29

Couple of debutants in the AFC squad too: double goalscorer Charlie Hale was literally playing for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves last week, in fact he’s been a regular for that team appearing in every Central League game until this weekend. We’ve seen a few players who’ve spent time in both academies but this is the first instance of a direct mid-season transfer between the two A-League rivals.

...............As for those Wellington Phoenix Reserves, they had a 1-1 stalemate away against Petone. Ben Trenberth scored their goal (31’) with the 16-year-old continuing to look like an amazing prospect... and it was assisted by Jack Clegg who is around the same age and starting to get similar prominence with plenty of NZ age grade stuff upcoming for both later this year. However Nick Drayton (84’) turned up to force a share of the spoils. Second start for new Nix goalkeeper Liam McMaster. Also a season debut, probably a Central League debut in fact, for 18yo Grayson Lunman who once took on the Mayor of Wellington in a football juggling contest when he was seven years old. He lost... but Mark Paston was there too and he touted him as a future All White. Now he’s cracked the Nix U20s team so who knows?

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about 11 hours ago

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