Clayton Lewis was just a 10-year-old when the Wellington Phoenix soared into A-League history. It was August 26, 2007, and the side played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory in front of 14,000 screaming supporters at Westpac Stadium.
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While the Phoenix didn't secure a fairytale win, the result did help Lewis - he wanted to wear the yellow and black jersey.
That dream is set to become a reality on Saturday when the Phoenix take to WIN Stadium to kick off their season against reigning league champions Sydney FC. The Wellington club remains based in Wollongong due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
While the scenario may look different to anything he could have ever imagined, Lewis can't wait to make his Phoenix debut.
And the midfielder is starting to feel comfortable in Wollongong.
"I grew up in Wellington, watching the Phoenix ever since they became a team. It was always a dream of mine to play for the team," he said.
"I was in England for two years with Scunthorpe United and it didn't quite work out how I planned. Now I've come back and this opportunity has popped up with [Phoenix head coach] Ufuk Talay and I've grabbed it with both hands. I'm here and I'm looking forward to playing in the A-League, playing for the Phoenix.
"Being in Wollongong is a little different, but it's been good. We train at the University of Wollongong and the staff around the place are really excited for us to be here. I think we're trying to sort some tickets for them, so they can come down and watch us play."
The Phoenix were the league's surprise packet last season, finishing a club-high third before bowing out in the first week of finals.
However, it's fair to say that the club has endured a unique pre-season for 2020/21. In a year where COVID-19 caused chaos for world travel, the Phoenix were forced to relocate to Australia.
In October, they were still left without a home, with Wollongong among the locations suggested as temporary bases.
By early November, the Phoenix arrived in the Illawarra for a pre-season camp at the University of Wollongong campus. Three weeks later, Football Federation Australia confirmed the club would play all home games at WIN Stadium this season.
And while Lewis admits that it's been a disrupted preparation, the midfielder believes there have been some benefits to emerge from being based in the Illawarra.
"It's definitely a lot more humid here, which maybe in the past is something that the Phoenix have struggled with [in Australia]. Hopefully that factor can work in our favour a bit. And obviously there's the travel side, we're not going to be travelling three weeks on a flight almost every second weekend," he said.
"Wollongong is pretty similar to Wellington, you've got the beach and it's like a small city, so we're excited to here. It will be good to play some games here in Wollongong and hopefully we can get some fans around us and they can come in the yellow and black."
However, it will be a tricky on-field initiation for the Phoenix. After Saturday's game against the sky blues, Wellington will take on newbies Macarthur FC in Campbelltown on January 9. The Bulls charged into A-League history with a 1-0 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday night.
"It's obviously going to be tough, Sydney won it last year. But for us, it's probably the best case scenario. If you're playing the best and you do well, it gives you a good boost of confidence for the next couple of games," Lewis said.
"I think we'll focus on our own game. You can do little bibs and bobs to counter what they want to do, but we mainly focus on what we want to do, with or without the ball. Hopefully those will work and we can push forward from there.
"I watched Macarthur on Wednesday night and they looked quite decent, so it will be tough. But I believe in the boys we've got in the squad. Hopefully we can start with a good performance on Saturday and get the three points."
While the Phoenix's success remains a priority, Lewis also hopes to have a breakout season. The 23-year-old joined the club in October after moving from Auckland City. He had previously enjoyed a two-year stint with Scunthorpe United FC in the EFL League Two Division.
However, he faces stiff competition for a spot in Wellington's midfield, including new captain Ulises Davila, Australian duo Reno Piscopo and Cameron Devlin, and rising star Joshua Laws.
"It's an exciting challenge. Our squad depth in the midfield is crazy. You've got the likes of Reno and 'Uli' pushing for those spots. So hopefully I can do my bit to push my case forward and we start well," Lewis said.
"It's really good to see Uli as captain, he's a good leader on and off the field. I'm looking forward to getting any advice off him that I can and to do my best."
While the Phoenix's success remains a priority, Lewis has another goal that he hopes to achieve in 2021.
Lewis made his international debut in 2015 and has since played 14 games for New Zealand. If all goes to plan, he will add to that tally.
"It's been a while since I've been in that set-up," Lewis said.
"But I've spoken to [NZ head coach] Danny Hay over the last couple of months. Hopefully I can put in some good performances and get my name back in front of him. That's all I can do at the moment."
I grew up in Wellington, watching the Phoenix ever since they became a team. It was always a dream of mine to play for the team.
- - Clayton Lewis