In the end, ''Big Sam'' Allardyce had to give Winston Reid a cuddle.
The new All Whites coach is likely to be unveiled by the end of the week, with Bahrain boss Anthony Hudson the hot tip to take over.
Three previous winners and a first time semi-finalist make up the last four of the 2014 ASB Chatham Cup after the competition quarter-finals over the weekend.
Ernie Merrick now has options.
Michael McGlinchey's playing future should be decided by the end of this week, with the matter due to go to arbitration.
The Football United tour is over — and it seems unlikely we will see more English Premier League teams in the near future.
Maybe it was the dew.
It is understandable that Paul Muollo is struggling to keep count.
I'm wearing pink boots for the much anticipated kick-about with a world-class footballer.
They are young, quick and unpredictably dangerous - just ask Miramar Rangers.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has given his hosts a friendly reminder that today's Football United Tour finale is, well, a friendly.
Former Sunderland player Alex Rodriguez-Gorrin will hope for another smashing performance at his new Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix when they face his former club’s biggest rival Newcastle United in New Zealand on Saturday.
Time flies when you're having fun.
Wellington Phoenix head coach Ernie Merrick yesterday took another step toward completing his playing squad by signing 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Roly Bonevacia, a graduate of the Ajax Academy.
Scoring goals has never really been Andrew Durante's thing.
Exhuasted giantkillers Wellington Phoenix are playing down their chances of claiming a second English Premier League scalp against Newcastle United tomorrow.
Wellington is being urged to get behind the historic double-header in world-class football to make it a sell out at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
West Ham United have arrived in Wellington still licking their wounds from last night's upset loss to the Phoenix in Auckland.
Newcastle United didn't watch the Wellington Phoenix beat West Ham last night.
A satisfied but level-headed Wellington Phoenix squad have returned to the capital as they eye another English Premier League scalp on Saturday.
Ernie Merrick has blasted the treatment of All White Michael McGlinchey as the player's Wellington Phoenix transfer saga rolls on.
West Ham United have had their Premier League bags sent packing, stunned 2-1 by the Wellington Phoenix in Auckland tonight.
Refreshed Wellington Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie is starting to score goals again and would like nothing more than to find the back of the net against West Ham at Eden Park tonight.
Ben Sigmund wants Wellington Phoenix fans to come out in force and support the players during their "dream game" against an English Premier League giant.
English Premier League club Newcastle United have honoured the memory of two ardent supporters with a convincing 4-0 victory over A-League club Sydney FC in Dunedin tonight.
Ben Sigmund has played 31 times for the All Whites, gone to a World Cup and helped the Wellington Phoenix to one game shy of a grand final, but he still rates tonight's pre-season match with English Premier League side West Ham United the highlight of his career.
Today we speak to Phoenix Wellington fan Guy Smith from www.yellowfever.co.nz
The quest for back-to-back ASB Chatham Cup titles takes defending champions Cashmere Technical south on Sunday to meet Dunedin Technical in the competition quarter-finals.
West Ham United's Football United Tour is a big deal to Wellington Phoenix.
A crowd of more than 20,000 will need to roll up to Eden Park tomorrow night for the Wellington Phoenix's match against English Premier League club West Ham to break even.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has welcomed talk of strengthening ties with English Premier League club West Ham.
The Wellington Phoenix are hopeful of having striker Roy Krishna and Spannish midfield signing Alejandro Gorrin available to play West Ham after encouraging signs at training in Auckland today.
Thousands of football fans from Britain and Australia are heading for Wellington, and Westpac Stadium knows what they want - 10 tonnes of hot chips.
Bankrupted property developer and Wellington Phoenix founder Terry Serepisos may be in line for a $500,000 windfall from the frozen assets of an Indian-born lender suspected of defrauding him.
Newcastle United have arrived in Dunedin for their pre-season tour amid the tragedy of flight MH17, which claimed the lives of two of the team's biggest fans.