Phoenix to grow, says Herbert as clouds gather

Uncertainty continues to swirl around the future of the Wellington Phoenix football club, following the latest report that club owner Terry Serepisos owes coach Ricki Herbert as much as $100,000.

Herbert would not comment yesterday on reports he was owed $100,000 by club owner Terry Serepisos and had hired former Supreme Court judge Bill Wilson to act for him. It was not for legal reasons that he would not comment, he said.

Plans to sell off most of Serepisos' property to pay off debt were submitted to the High Court by his lawyer last week. The Phoenix was not part of the offer.

Herbert said his concern was working with the Phoenix team on a daily basis.

"I have a very, very good relationship with Terry."

The future of the Phoenix was out of his control, Herbert said.

"I work for the football club as a coach, that's my job.

"The club will keep growing and get bigger and better, how that happens and what direction that goes it's kind of out of my control."

Phoenix captain Andrew Durante said he was currently fully paid by the club.

"I can't speak for everyone and I'm not sure of everyone's situation but I've got all my money."

He would not comment on whether there had been payment issues in the past. He said he did not know what was going to happen to the club in the future.

"I honestly don't know what's going to happen, if Terry goes and new owners come in it's not our decision, Terry's been a fantastic owner, we wouldn't be here without him.

"It's out of our hands who ends up running the club."

Serepisos had remained in contact with the team and had been "open about situations", Durante said.