Editorial: Prepare for Phoenix fever to hit

Phoenix fever is about to hit.

History will be made on Sunday when the Wellington Phoenix and their travelling support, The Yellow Fever, descend on McLean Park for what will be the first Phoenix A-League game held in Hawke's Bay.

It's understood at least 30 rooms have been booked in one Napier motel to accommodate up to 60 Fever supporters making their way from Wellington.

I've been an avid supporter for a few years now, with one memory in particular standing out.

I was in attendance for the Phoenix's 2010 win over Adelaide United in Christchurch, with the injury-time winning goal coming from the head of Ben Sigmund in front of his hometown crowd.

The lateness of the goal, the fact it was a winning point and that it was scored by a local lad are some of the reasons the victory was so sweet and are also a good example of why the sport is steadily growing in New Zealand and abroad.

Few sports have, on average, such low scorelines and as such a game of soccer is constantly hanging on a knife edge. I believe this is its fundamental appeal.

I was raised on a diet of Canterbury versus Auckland provincial rugby showdowns, but the goal celebrations within the stadium when Sigmund nodded home his last gasp winner put many of these crowds to shame.

This year the A-League competition also received record crowds for its opening round fixtures.

I hope this trend continues on Sunday.