Soccer: Steven Taylor part ways with Wellington Phoenix by mutual consent

Wellington Phoenix has lost its patron.

In a big blow, captain Steven Taylor decided not to fulfill the last two years of his contract, separating from the club by mutual agreement.

During a two-year stint in Wellington, the popular former Premier League defender played 49 A-League matches, starting each of his 27 matches in the season that just ended.

Taylor instantly became a fan favorite for his staunch commitment, assured defense, calm nature and love for both Phoenix and the city of Wellington. He took the captain’s armband when 11-season skipper Andrew Durante departed at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Taylor said he would appreciate his time in New Zealand.

“It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the Nix,” he said.

“I want to give a huge thank you to the club owners, the Board and the great staff that I have worked with, and I want to especially thank Ufuk for his faith in me and for becoming the captain of this great club. To my teammates, I will miss playing together, but I know that I have made friends for life.

“Finally, to the fans, you guys are truly one of a kind, amazing; I hope you’ll be back at Sky Stadium soon supporting such a strong and proud team,” said Taylor.

Taylor signed a two-year contract extension on New Year’s Day, committing to the club until the end of the 2021/22 A-League season, so his departure can be entirely attributed to the difficulties caused by Covid. -19. During the interrupted 2019/20 season, the 34-year-old reportedly took a substantial pay cut to allow others to get paid and was a driving force on the team that completed the season while in Australia and away from home for 80 days. .

With a new Collective Bargaining Agreement being discussed between A-League and PFA club owners in the wake of a scaled-down broadcast deal, Taylor (and others) face further cuts to their contracts for next season, according to reports. reports up to 30%.

Taylor joins fellow countryman Gary Hooper to leave the club this week. Hooper was out of contract, as was midfielder Matti Steinmann, who returned to Germany with his future uncertain.

The club’s two remaining imports, English forward David Ball and Mexican playmaker Ulises Dávila, are under contract for next season, but Taylor’s departure should put those deals in question. Dávila has returned home to be with his wife and newborn in the meantime, while Ball has stayed in Wellington with his young family.

Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay could now face a second rebuild in as many seasons, with young Kiwis Liberato Cacace and Callum McCowatt also leaving to sign contracts in Europe and five other players: Walter Scott, Liam McGing, Luke Devere. , Callan Elliot and Te. Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, not yet insured for next season. Twelve players are signed for 2020/21, including Dávila and Ball.

Talay said Taylor’s will to win is one of his greatest attributes.

“Steven was the right choice for us as captain,” he said.

“He is a seasoned leader who not only says the right things, but also leads by example. He made his mark on the team last season and helped create a positive, winning culture for the players – now he will depend on our next captain to continue that great work and continue with the third place that we achieved last season.

“We thank Steven for his incredible contribution to this club in the last two seasons; for his hard work on the field, his mentoring of the younger players and the positive way in which he engaged with the fans; he is certainly a player with class and we wish him all the best. “