Fans' faith in Serepisos is being tested

Fans cheer on the Wellington Phoenix at the 'Ring of Fire'. Photo / Getty Images

With the Wellington Phoenix Football Club once again in the headlines - and not for their exploits on the pitch - fans are fearing the club's demise could be on the cards.

The IRD is looking to liquidate five of developer Terry Serepisos's companies - including Century City Football which owns the Phoenix - for debts of over $3.5 million.

Mr Serepisos is reportedly in Switzerland where he is obtaining loans to pay back the debt to the IRD and other creditors within three weeks, however today the IRD is advertising the planned liquidation in the Dominion Post.

Speaking to a club spokesman yesterday, I was told Serepisos's financial situation was being sorted out and everything would be resolved in the coming weeks.

I was told the club would have no problem retaining current players, like the exciting young Marco Rojas, and would have funds to bring in new talent so we can win the A-League title next season.

Like thousands of supporters, I hope this is the case.

There is no denying what Serepisos has done for football in New Zealand, both in giving an opportunity to Kiwi footballers to play professionally in New Zealand and giving fans a local professional team to support.

After the second successive Auckland club failed in 2007 it looked likely the A-League licence would head across the ditch, but Serepisos emerged, stumping up $1.2 million to bring professional football to the capital.

For that investment he has earned the fans loyalty - you only have to watch him singing in Wellington's Four Kings with fans after the Nix won their second home playoff game last March to see what a large part of the club he is.

But with a steady stream of negative headlines in recent months, the fans' loyalty and faith in Serepisos has been tested.

As can be seen on the Yellow Fever supporters forum, the fans hate the bad press. And while a few believe sections of the media have a vendetta against Serepisos, the club, or football in general, many acknowledge Serepisos's financial strife is responsible for the stream of negative press.

But still most of us stand behind him, although as the headlines continue, other ownership models have become more appealing - with either a new owner(s) coming forward or the fans owning a share of the team.

At the end of the day, football clubs around the world are struggling. The financial strife of massive clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona has been well documented. Across the ditch, the North Queensland Fury look set to fold as their financial woes deepen. So the Nix's situation is not unique.

The club's supporters are arguably the most passionate in the country. Come game day the Yellow Fever will be standing between isles 21 and 22 of Westpac Stadium braving the worst weather Wellington can throw at them, singing their lungs out, urging our boys to three points.

The club has die-hard supporters not just in Wellington but across the country (I'm an Aucklander). Before their last home game, I met Anthony from Christchurch, who has a season ticket and comes to every game.

There are many others like him. I've gone down for five games so far and will be in the Fever Zone again this Sunday (tickets are two-for-one, by the way).

I've met some great people through this club - some now good friends - fans whose weekends revolve around the home game ritual of going to the Backbencher for a couple of pre-match pints, before heading off to The Ring of Fire (Wellington Stadium) en masse, in a sea of yellow and black.

Inside they'll sing themselves hoarse and with 10 minutes to go, they'll hopefully whip their shirts off to celebrate another win.

Outside they'll disperse, their scarves held aloft, still singing of their love for the team.

What we've got with the Nix is far too good to lose. Let's hope we don't.

Come on you Phoenix.