Soccer: Phoenix remain confident of future

The Wellington Phoenix Football Club remains confident in their future, despite the Inland Revenue seeking to liquidate the company which owns the A-League club.

The IRD is looking to liquidate five of developer Terry Serepisos's companies - Century City Football, Century City Hunter Street, Century City Developments, Century City Management and Century City Investments - for debts of over $3.5 million.

Fairfax Media reported this morning that Mr Serepisos tried to stop the IRD from advertising plans to liquidate his companies at a hearing at the Wellington High Court on Friday, but Justice Forrie Miller refused and the IRD is going ahead with its advertisements.

Mr Serepisos, is reportedly heading to Switzerland to sign loan documents in order to pay back the IRD and other creditors within three weeks.

However, the IRD said Mr Serepisos could not meet conditions which include that the companies being bailed out be solvent at present and is going ahead with plans to recoup the owed money.

The court was told Mr Serepisos's proposed repayment arrangement also depended on some creditors accepting shortfalls, which some had already agreed to do.

But today David Dome, the club's head of marketing, dismissed fears the club would be liquidated.

"Terry is sorting out his financial situation now and should be resolved in the coming weeks. Everything is on track."

Mr Dome said people within the club are not concerned with Mr Serepisos financial situation.

"Terry has given us the lay of the land and we are all confident the situation will be resolved," he said.

"The Phoenix will continue to carry on in its current capacity for years to come."

Mr Dome said the current situation would not stop the club from retaining current players or bringing in new talent for the next season.

Current starters Marco Rojas, Nick Ward, Dylan MacAllister and Jade North are among players whose contracts end at the end of the present season.

Among the $3.5 million owed to IRD by Mr Serepisos's companies is $1,235,348 in unpaid PAYE tax deductions for Century City Football, which owns the licence to the Phoenix.

Mr Dome was not aware of the details surrounding non-payment of players' KiwiSaver contributions and PAYE to inland revenue.

The club currently sit in sixth place with two games remaining and one more point will guarantee them a spot in the A-League playoffs.

The Phoenix plays Sydney away tomorrow night before their final home game, against the ailing North Queensland Fury on Sunday. The club is offering two-for-one tickets for the Fury game.