Gareth Morgan hasn't always been complementary of New Zealand Football but the Wellington Phoenix owner has pledged to work more closely with the national body.
Morgan has been very critical of NZF's hierarchy and called on the leadership to resign and a new board to be appointed and was preparedto invest $5 million if certain conditions were met. He wants to see the All Whites as a consistent top-50 side in the world and is keen to invest in an A-League club based in Auckland.
Since then, Andy Martin has started as NZF chief executive and Fran van Hattum has resigned as chairman.
Morgan and Phoenix chief executive David Dome met with Martin in Wellington last weekend when they traversed a number of topics about the state of football in this country.
"We discussed a number of ideas and objectives which could play an important role in how the game in New Zealand continues to develop and grow,'' Martin said. "It's clear from our discussions there is a great deal of excitement regarding the possibilities of a close working relationship between New Zealand Football and the country's sole professional football entity.''
Morgan said Sunday's meeting brought together two organisations with similar ambitions.
"Both New Zealand Football and the Wellington Phoenix have the same end goal: developing the game of football in New Zealand to the best of our ability,'' Morgan said. "That mutual interest will form the core of a close partnership which serves to take our game forwards with visible on-pitch progression from our most high profile teams a key focus of that aim.''
Further discussions are planned between the two organisations.
