KEY POINTS:
No one would ever dare suggest to Terry Serepisos that his unbridled support for the Wellington Phoenix is little better than pouring millions of dollars into a black hole with no hope of any meaningful return.
Since charging in with his last-ditch salvation bid for the game which threatened to founder at the highest level in this part of the world, the Greek-born property director has thrown himself 100 per cent into "the Phoenix is rising" campaign.
And he's in for the long haul despite his prediction this week that the club "will probably lose between $1 million and $2 million" in their inaugural season.
"Even if we lose money and finished last - and I certainly don't expect to do that - I'm still going to carry on," says Serepisos. "I have made an initial three-year commitment to this. It was done from the heart, not as a money-making venture.
"I have already had a lot of people thanking me. Not one has suggested I'm wasting my time or money."
But, he just as quickly admits, the starting-up process has been everything - and a lot more - than he expected.
"It has been a lot more work than I thought it would be. It is not just a case of spending $2.5 million on buying players."
A huge infrastructure was involved and a lot of the early work had to be done by his staff at Century City Developments.
"I did not hurry. I wanted to ensure we had the right people. As an example, it took us three months to find the right chief executive," says Serepisos.
"In the end, we got down to a short list of six high-calibre people from which we went for Tony Pignata."
He starts next week.
"We have had incredible support from the FFA [Football Federation Australia]. Michelle Phillips from their staff has been based here helping out."
He is determined to heed the lessons from the dismal failure - on and off the pitch - the Knights quickly became.
"We want the city of Wellington behind us. We already have that support from the city council," says Serepisos. "In Auckland, they were too far removed from their fan base. Their organisation was crap.
"I understand they had less than 200 season ticket-holders - some said it was only 99 - but already the Yellow Fever Supporters Club here has signed up 1500 members."
Serepisos' success in luring Ricki Herbert to Wellington to take the head coach role was, he insists, the key,
"That was a no-brainer. I would not have gone ahead without him. He is absolutely respected here and in Australia. It was only after discussions with him and [New Zealand Football chief executive] Graham Seatter in Auckland that I agreed to go ahead and the licence was issued.
"He has now hand-picked a group of people he wanted. It is now up to them. I have done all I can."
While dismissing his team's chances in the Pre-Season Cup, which kicks-off this weekend, by saying, "I'm not expecting too much", he is convinced that come August 24 and the first Hyundai A-League game - at home to defending premiers Melbourne Victory - the Phoenix will have indeed risen and be ready.
"I would like to see a top-four finish. I'm convinced the play-offs are a realistic expectation. That would be a huge boost for New Zealand football. If this team does well, I will take some satisfaction in helping the game and leading to its resurrection."
