By David Gold
September 25 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced that Wellington Phoenix will continue to participate in the Hyundai A-League after their licence was given to a consortium led by Rob Morrison.
Morrison is one of a group of businessmen who acquired the license, which was relinquished by Terry Serepisos so that the club could find a new owner.
“I feel very proud to have created this football club from scratch and I have poured all of my heart and energy into it but I have come to the conclusion that it is time to hand the licence back to FFA,” Serepisos said.
“This is not an easy decision but I feel it is the right decision in the best interests of the club, New Zealand football and especially the Phoenix fans.
“I wish the new owners all of the best in the future and I will always be extremely proud of everything the Wellington Phoenix Club has achieved.”
The FFA’s chief executive Ben Buckley added: “I would like to thank Terry for the massive contribution he has made to the Hyundai A-League and New Zealand football.
“Terry has been a fantastic founding owner of the Wellington Phoenix Football Club and without him the club and New Zealand football would not be in such a fantastic position.
“We would like to welcome Rob and his team into the Hyundai A-League and have no doubt they will ensure Wellington Phoenix continues to prosper for the years ahead.
“Securing the future of the Club was the FFA’s number one priority for the fans and the stability of the Hyundai A-League and we are proud to present Rob and his team to the football family.”
The consortium confirmed it had enough money to fund the team for five years after their takeover was announced at a press conference, and insisted that the club would remain based in Wellington.
Phoenix, who were set up in 2007, are the only team from New Zealand competing in the ten team Australian top flight, and finished sixth in the league last season.
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