The arrival of Wairarapa United as a major force in New Zealand football was due in large part to the "determination, unrivalled passion and hunger for success" of their now retired Central League coach Phil Keinzley.
In a tribute to Keinzley's huge contribution to Wairarapa United, and Wairarapa football in general,Czech midfielder Miroslav Tvaroh says his retirement had left a bittersweet taste among players and supporters alike.
"Finishing third in this year's Central League has shown our team has the potential to achieve Phil's ultimate goal of winning the toughest competition a Wairarapa football team can compete in," Tvaroh said.
"It's just a pity someone else will be coach when that happens."
Tvaroh said it was Keinzley who was instrumental in Wairarapa United earning promotion to Central League in 2008, an effort which required them to win a promotion-relegation series involving Hawke's Bay club Maycenvale United and then Central League stragglers Stop Out.
Describing Keinzley as an "honest and forthright person who always sets his goals high", Tvaroh said his sourcing of players from outside the Wairarapa region had initially attracted controversy and animosity from the football community, both here and further afield.
But it had not taken long for the likes of Pita Rabo, Sakeo Valevou, Seule Soromon and Waisake Sabutu to win over his detractors through their devotion to the Wairarapa United cause, both on and off the field.
"We can thank Phil for the large and loyal following we got whether we were playing at home or away," Tvaroh said. "Whereas there were many who had been hoping he would fail we now see people coming from the likes of Napier and New Plymouth to cheer on the team."
Tvaroh noted too it wasn't only in the coaching sphere where Keinzley made a positive impact. At the same time he had also carried out a multitude of mundane administrative responsibilities, as well as running his business and supporting his family.
"Quite honestly there would not be enough room in this newspaper to describe all the sacrifices and effort Phil has put in."
