The Wellington Phoenix Gazette
Squad25 Oct 2027
Tempers go at Wellington Phoenix
Isaac Hughes was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Boardroom25 Oct 2027
Graduation day at Wellington Phoenix
5 boys move up, and somewhere in the building the people who coached them at twelve are quietly having the best morning of their working year. Nothing about this shows up in a result and it is why the academy exists.
Market25 Oct 2027
Wellington Phoenix promote Connor Craig from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Connor Craig has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market25 Oct 2027
Ryan Morrison steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Ryan Morrison has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market25 Oct 2027
Wellington Phoenix promote Jason McCallum from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Jason McCallum has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market25 Oct 2027
Wellington Phoenix promote Riley McLaren from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Riley McLaren has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Squad25 Oct 2027
The manager makes an example of Luke Supyk
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad25 Oct 2027
Hideki Ishige falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad25 Oct 2027
Matt Sheridan stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” Matt Sheridan and Wellington Phoenix agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
In brief
- Player ratings Alex Rufer was immovable
- Player ratings Sander Kartum runs at them all day
- Match Point won or two lost for Wellington Phoenix?