The pandemic has thrown up more than enough challenges for the A-League Men over the past two seasons.
But spare a thought for the Wellington Phoenix, who had to play their match against Melbourne Victory behind closed doors, due to being unable to find a local commercial partner for the Round 12 clash at WIN Stadium.
It is just the latest alarming development for a club that has suffered more than any other local sporting team through COVID-19.
Many people had expected the APL and FA to step in and help out the troubled club, but so far, they have distanced themselves from the situation.
Head of the APL, Danny Townsend, was surprisingly quoted as saying “it was not the job of the APL to help the Phoenix find a commercial partner for the match. It’s part of their own stadium negotiations.”
It is an interesting stance the APL is adopting, considering the amount of support they have given in propping up struggling A-League Men foundation club, the Newcastle Jets.
While David Dome and Rob Morrison have put on brave faces on media duty for the Phoenix over the past two seasons, both will be fully aware of how financially crippling it has been, since the pandemic forced the shift to NSW.
Wollongong has a long, historical past with Australian football and every year, its name is thrown out as an option for a new A-League Men franchise.
WIN Stadium is one of the most underrated in Australia and is an absolute must-visit for travelling fans – its view of the Pacific Ocean needs to be seen first hand.
Basing the Phoenix there would give both the FA and APL the opportunity to see whether the football-loving people of Wollongong could get behind an A-League Men team.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for all parties associated, it has been a failure.
To turn the lights on at WIN Stadium, it costs $30,000 and this is before you start adding amenities like stadium security, police, paramedics and food trucks.
The people of Wollongong are yet to fully get behind the team, with crowd figures regularly under 2500. The three matches played this season have seen an average of just under 1350 spectators.
Once you factor in the accommodation of a full squad of players and coaching staff added to the stadium running costs, there is no simpler way of putting it: the Wellington Phoenix are bleeding money.
While they may not have captured much support from Wollongong, if the Phoenix are allowed to play back in New Zealand, they will see their issues decrease.
The Phoenix have some of the best commercial partners in the league when it comes to stadium support, as well as the likelihood again of the bumper five-figure crowds that attended two games last season.
But what is the best course of action with the lack of commercial support in Wollongong, until the club can get back to New Zealand?
One option would be giving all their home games to the away team.
The Phoenix could work out an agreement with the other 11 A-League Men clubs in terms of match-day revenue and ticketing.
By doing this, the Phoenix would have more money coming in and less going out. However the big downside is they would constantly be on the road travelling.
On the field though, the Phoenix have been a surprise packet this year.
They have one of the best coaches in the league in Ufuk Talay as well as a squad filled with young players who have ability.
If the Phoenix were to win the two or three games in hand they have on other sides, they could firmly be entrenched in the top four.
That would be a wonderful achievement, considering many pundits picked them to finish in the bottom two.
But with the FA changing the name from the FFA Cup to the Australia Cup, many read into the notion that the writing is on the wall.
Several seasons ago, the FA were looking at removing the club for certain metrics not being met, including attendance.
For Wellington to rise like the bird on their emblem, they need to ride the latest storm.
Bludger
Guest
It's time, really it's a long time overdue that a final decision to on Wellington. I think they should move the franchise to Australia. NZ needs to build up their own competition. It is not right that Australia has to give a leg up to these guys.
Mark
Guest
It’s hard. I can certainly understand the point of view that the Nix aren’t Wollongong’s team, so there’s no reason the Gong should get behind them. On the other hand, it’s hard to argue against the point that irrespective of whether the indifference of the Gong to the Nix is understandable or not, the Gong has had a perfect opportunity to show it deserves a place in the A-League, and it hasn’t taken it.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Phoenix shouldnt be playing in the A League at all
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Ive mentioned that a few times, I don't know why they didn't base them self in QLD but i would say its a cost issue, being based in NSW means minimal travel. Western Sydney is full of Kiwis and is prob why they get good away support at WSW games.
Brian
Guest
Surely they should just play out of Brisbane, there are approx 100,000 NZ in Brisbane which is approx the same amount as Whangerei or Dunedin
Franko
Guest
Well if we can't stand up Wollongong then what hope have we? I'm all for bringing in Gong, Canberra, Tassie, FNQ and so on. But they'll need to be able to operate with 5k crowds. Our players (particularly younger) need more games, we need our national game to be represented nationally but if we think we'll suddenly get enormous crowds, well its fanciful.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
like the NQ Fury, dumped them real quick Personally, I do think the NZFA should do more for the 'nix, or maybe contribute to the A League in another way. The A League is effectively subsidising NZ football, but yes, it's a two way street.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
that the issues the lack of support from both the FA & APL in contrast to how they have/are handling the newcastle jets
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
this leads to a bigger question if wollongong is the right fit to join the a league. fantastic stadium, great history with the sport - but nsw is completely cannibalized of fans with so many teams based there
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
one of the only true UK success stories in the a league
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
WIn stadium might have a tremendous location but its hardly a good looking stadium or makes any use of the ocean view. Their next match is Jubille sponging off Sydney FC. The hill blocks off the sea view. CCM would have the best looking stadium and location if they didnt have the giant sauce bottles stuffing the view. The second biggest ethnic group in the country is New Zealand behind the British. Super rugby in Melbourne is dependent on the Kiwis the 10-20 odd the Phoenix get at away matches around the country is in contrast to what they get at Super rugby. Maybe the only reason the Kiwis were not given the boot is the joint hosting of the womens world cup, the NZ government is funding the women and putting money into the mens team as well. The Newcastle Jets situation well I dont think Jets are owned by the APL , I assume since West Sydney, Western United , Sydney Fc clubs put the money in they own the club, conveniently using Lowy mechanism to strip the license off the CHinese . The APL will not function like the FFA, and I dont know what mechanism exists if a club cant pay its bills, I assume if the club goes bankrupt it then gets put into recerivership .
Franko
Guest
I'm not sure its fair to say the locals haven't got behind the Nix in Wollongong. Pick a couple of random games from the NSL: - Gong vs Newcastle 27/12/1998 Crowd : 3389 - Gong vs Melbourne Knights 8/3/1997 Crowd : 3358 - Gong vs Marconi 5/12/1992: Attendance: 1684 - Gong vs Perth 23/11/2003 Crowd : 1879
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Now the border's open, they should base themselves in SE Qld. Place is full of kiwis, from the Goldie to North Lakes and beyond. Way more than any other State or Wollongong. A bonus would be a few more games for us football starved Q'lders. They could play at CBus or Dolphins or anywhere in between.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Double headers and/or giving up home games is fine with the fans but it has to make sense (Or is that cents) to be beneficial to both club and squad. When the FFA were going to pull the license out from under our feet it was such a hard battle to keep squad members from joining other a league clubs because of uncertainty. I feel this might be version 2.0 because last season we lost some of our greatest players ever.
Tigertown
Guest
I’m just glad they beat Melbourne last night. Victory are the protected darlings of Football Australia. I’m hoping Wellington’s wins continue.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Giving homes games away only helps our financials against NSW Opposition but we only have 3 homes games against NSW Opposition left
Alex Hamon
Roar Rookie
Gotta feel for the nix…I still remember the Paul Ifill days!