Editorial: Salute to an unsung hero

THE WELLINGTONIAN

Wellington businessman John Dow was the unsung hero of the exciting World Cup qualifying soccer match last weekend.

Since the All Whites beat Bahrain 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa, Wellington has been buzzing. Retailers report extra good sales and there's a spring in the step of many Wellingtonians, a glint of pride in their eyes after the excitement of the goings-on Saturday evening.

Wellingtonians did the New Zealand team proud, packing the stadium and ensuring an impressive partial "whiteout" – white clothing to support the All Whites.

The city council, which vigorously supported Wellington efforts to host the game at a time when its success was far from guaranteed, played its part.

It had a huge video screen installed on Queens Wharf so that thousands of fans unable to buy tickets for the game were able to watch it in the company of fellow enthusiasts. It closed off Inglewood Place, so that area of town became a spiritual home for soccer fans looking to celebrate the All Whites' triumph.

Even the Wellington weather was perfect – windy and cold enough to be uncomfortable for the Bahrainians, but not so bad as to dampen the spirits of the home fans.

It has been amusing after the game to observe so many people willingly claiming credit for the success of the match.

New Zealand Football was delighted with how it all went, yet this was the same body that needed so much arm-twisting before it allocated the game to Wellington. Its preferred option seemed to be North Shore's Albany Stadium, which is where, coincidentally, the association's headquarters are.

Various Wellington retailers, especially in the clothing and hospitality industries, made significant money from the game, and good on them.

All these people might stop and reflect on the part Mr Dow played.

He has been largely overlooked, yet months ago, long before football fans even knew the All Whites would be playing Bahrain, he was pushing for Wellington to seek the hosting rights. This is the man who, along with Ian Wells, battled so hard to ensure Wellington had a franchise in the soccer A-League.

When people were scoffing at Mr Dow as a soccer-mad romantic, he was making the case for Wellington to New Zealand and A-league officials. It was Mr Dow's long battle that paved the way for the team we now know as the Wellington Phoenix.

Sure it required Terry Serepisos to bankroll the venture, but the hard graft had already been put in by Mr Dow and Mr Wells.

Early this year, Mr Dow, a Team Wellington football official, urged the council to bid for the World Cup qualifying match.

Of course, the council is rightly basking in the success of the venture now, but back then there were several sceptics among the councillors. They could see a huge outlay and no guarantee of success.

It turned out as Mr Dow had predicted. Partly because of his earlier efforts with the Phoenix, Wellington is now regarded as a soccer city and tickets sold at breakneck speed, Wellingtonians got caught up in the spirit of the occasion, and the capital city's reputation as a happening place was enhanced. Sports – and cities – need enthusiasts like Mr Dow, and we salute him for his efforts.