Serepisos spends it on Beckham

ROBERT KITCHIN/Dominion Post, Reuters

MONEY MAN AND MONEY MAKER: Wellington Phoenix's white knight Terry Serepisos, right, hopes David Beckham's appearance in Wellington will set a new football attendance record for New Zealand.

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These are mighty days for Terry Serepisos.
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With a 60 Minutes television crew in his office and a glass of water in his right hand, football's White Knight announced yesterday he was bringing David Beckham to Wellington for the lion's share of $2 million.

From a setting Beckham would have felt at home in, Serepisos gave the impression he had reached into his ashtray for the cash and if LA Galaxy had demanded $5 million for the friendly against Wellington Phoenix the game would still have gone ahead.

Serepisos' mood was infectious. He was flanked at yesterday's press conference by charismatic Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert and the club's chief executive Tony Pignata.

Herbert is a former All Whites defender and racehorse trainer and when asked which of his players was courting Beckham's playing shirt, he joked: "I am."

Pignata wants to see the full house sign posted outside Westpac Stadium.

"Our aim is to break the football attendance record which has stood since 1981," Pignata said.

"If we do get 35,000 plus people at the stadium it will be a major event and a coup for Wellington and football in this country."

The Wellington Phoenix were light on detail but high on enthusiasm.

A contract has been signed between Beckham's LA Galaxy and the Phoenix for a match at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, December 2.

Security arrangements, public activities and ticket prices are yet to be confirmed but the Galaxy will be in the capital for "three or four days" and Beckham has to reappear for 10 or so minutes after halftime for the deal to go ahead. If Beckham is injured in the match against Sydney FC in Sydney on the preceding Thursday then the Wellington match will be scrapped and possibly rescheduled.

Newstalk ZB's Dan McHardy raised the question whether the $1-2 million would be better spent on a star player for the A-League but he was confronted by a solid Phoenix defence.

"Who is to say we are not getting a marquee player (as well)," Pignata replied.

Serepisos put the situation into perspective, saying he was ultimately driven by the desire to put football in New Zealand on the map.

"The fact is he (Beckham) is trying to make a difference in the sport and I am trying to make a difference for football in New Zealand.

"I am looking forward to having someone that can encourage people from all over the country to come to Wellington and be part of reigniting something in football that hasn't been the case for a long time."

Herbert does not believe Beckham's visit will distract his squad from its primary task in the A-League.

"We spoke briefly about it (Beckham) because it is in the media," Herbert said.

"It is just about balancing the focus of the A-League and this and it is a great opportunity.

"They are excited about it for multiple reasons. I think 35,000 at Westpac Stadium is going to be exciting and it just shows the evolution of the club and what Terry has been able to do - it is just fantastic."

Meanwhile, Pignata confirmed he had spoken to the agent of Socceroo Ahmed Elrick about a move to the Phoenix and the matter is now in the hands of Herbert - or more pertinently that man Serepisos.

- © Fairfax NZ News