Century City Developments | Wellington Phoenix FC | Wellingtons A-League Football Team

In March 2007, after the failure of two Auckland based franchises, pro- fessional football in New Zealand was rescued when Terry Serepisos and Century City Football secured a sub-licence to run a team in the A-League.

After the previous clubs imploded, it looked certain that Football Federation Australia would pull the pin on a professional New Zealand-based club.

With his considerable financial and business clout, Terry became New Zealand football’s “White Knight” when he stumped up a huge sum of money to secure the capital’s only fully professional sporting franchise outside rugby. Terry had single-handedly thrown a lifeline to football in New Zealand.

Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength and has restored the reputation of football in New Zealand. Not only has Terry’s contribution ensured professional football stays in New Zealand, but many have credited the influence of the phoenix in the qualification of the All Whites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.