Soccer: Daniel's club jibe 'a joke'

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Daniel. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Daniel said he was joking with former team-mate Jade North in a Facebook conversation when he said "the club going down".

North wrote to Daniel on June 23 asking how he was, to which the Brazilian replied: "the windy here still terrible. the club going down. say hello for your family."

But Daniel said he had no fears for the club's future, despite the constant speculation swirling about owner Terry Serepisos and his cashflow issues.

"Players talk sometimes and joke," Daniel said. "Sometimes my English not the best. There's nothing to worry about. The club are on the up and up. Everything is good and the club is good. People know I'm joking all the time."

The club might not, however, see the funny side. They are battling to assure everyone the situation is fine ahead of October's season kickoff. Chief executive Nathan Greenham didn't return calls.

So far 14 players are signed and coach Ricki Herbert has said he will take his time with the remaining six. Three need to be under-21 players.

A new trainer (Lee Taylor) and physio (Wayne Roberts) started on Friday, but Herbert is still looking for an assistant coach and goalkeeping coach.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix will play in Auckland for the first time in three years when they take on Waitakere United and the New Zealand under-20s as part of their build-up to the new A-League season.

They will play Waitakere at Trusts Stadium on July 20 and the under-20s at North Harbour Stadium three days earlier. The under-20s fly out to Colombia the next day to play in the Under-20 World Cup. Chris Milicich's side will be without a handful of overseas-based players but he is keen to give his players a good hit-out.

The Phoenix beat Waitakere 7-0 in 2008 before Waitakere played at the Club World Cup.