It’s Membership Week in the A-Leagues and to celebrate, we’re shining the spotlight on some of our members who have dedicated their lives to their chosen club.
We’re celebrating the fans who have supported their side through thick and thin, home and away, come rain or shine and highlighting their incredible stories to hopefully inspire more fans to start their own membership journey.
Missed part one or part two? No problem! Simply click on the links below to read about some of the amazing members who dedicate their lives to making the A-Leagues a better place.
PART ONE: Shining the spotlight on some of the A-Leagues’ biggest fans (Part 1)
PART TWO: Member Spotlight: How the A-Leagues became a home away from home (Part 2)
Remember, you can win BIG in Membership Week.
To mark the occasion, the A-Leagues are offering a series of incredible prizes and all you have to do is sign up for a membership at the club of your choice between July 20-26!
Already purchased your membership? Then you’re also included in the draw!
But for now, enjoy another selection of stories from some of magnificent members.
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From the Bullring to the Cake Tin and a cat named Ricki
Football has always been part of Andrea Corrigan’s story.
Born into a football-mad family in England, her love of the game was almost inevitable. Her parents had even chosen different names depending on whether she was a boy or a girl.
Both had a direct link to their club, Birmingham City.
“If I had been born a boy, I would have been called Trevor after Trevor Francis – England’s first £1million pound player and Birmingham City legend,” she says.
“But instead got Andrea after St Andrews the hallowed turf of Birmingham City!”
PART ONE: Shining the spotlight on some of the A-Leagues’ biggest fans (Part 1)
Years later, when she moved to New Zealand, one of her biggest concerns was whether she’d still be able to immerse herself in the sport she loved.
That question was soon answered.
“When I first knew I was moving to New Zealand I was worried about how I would watch the Premier League and England… and that there wasn’t a professional league or even club!
“When I finally got here in June 2007, I was delighted to discover that indeed the Wellington Phoenix was about to rise from the ashes of NZ football and I managed to get to most games that first season.
“I’ve been a Wellington Phoenix Supporter since the start!”
While she’d followed the Phoenix from day one, it wasn’t until her daughter Lacey fell in love with football that membership became the obvious next step.
“I’ve been to many games since, but only became a member a couple of seasons ago when my now 11 year old daughter showed interest in football.
“The Womens’ Football World Cup in 2023 was epic and I took my daughter to all the matches in Wellington. She loved it and I took her to the Phoenix and we became members from there!”
Andrea now shares every matchday with Lacey, alongside friend Sarah and her son Hamish, creating memories that extend well beyond the football itself.
NIX NEWS: A-League All Stars Women: Jale and McKenna the latest stars named
Her favourite Phoenix memory is one that money simply couldn’t buy.
“Well, we were in our local pub doing the quiz and we met Raewyn Herbert (Ricki’s wife) and got chatting,” she says.
“We then told her that we named our cat after her husband and she thought it was the funniest thing!
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
“Next minute she’s saying, you’ve got to come and meet Ricki and tell him, and me being from a massive country where you never just bump into your team’s coach and national football manager was totally star struck!
“Anyway – we ended up being on the same quiz team and became friends.
“Unfortunately they have moved away from Kapiti now but one of my favourite experiences was grabbing a lift with Ricki, listening to him do media interviews in the car and discussing the team selection on the way in! A real money can’t buy experience that I’ll treasure!”
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE A-LEAGUE ALL STARS V CHELSEA
The club has also rekindled Andrea’s lifelong connection with the women’s game.
“I’ve watched football since I was kid. I played football with the boys until I was about 11 and then wasn’t allowed to and there were no girls teams.
“I got back into playing at university in the mid 90s and some of my team mates were just starting to play for big clubs like Arsenal, Millwall, Doncaster Belles… but there was never really any possibility of playing professionally.
“So when I started going to watch the Phoenix Women last season I was incredibly impressed and Lacey and I sat with the injured players in the stand and chatted, we went to all the home matches, we met the players and Bev regularly and it just feels like such a family and they had so much time for us the fans.
“And then… well what a ride it was this season,” she says, when discussing Wellington Phoenix’s run to the 2025/26 Ninja A-League Grand Final.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
“Such a an epic run and a shame we couldn’t win the final but we were incredibly proud of what the team achieved and how they have been invested in.”
For Andrea, supporting a football club isn’t a choice—it’s a lifelong commitment.
“You can’t choose a team, your team chooses you and it’s the rules. You have to stick with them no matter what.”
How a junior membership created a football tradition between father and son
When Andrew Costigan signed up as a member of Melbourne Heart he was simply following the advice of his cousin Peter.
More than a decade later, that decision has grown into something much bigger.
Not only has Andrew remained a devoted Melbourne City member throughout the club’s evolution, but the game has also brought his father along for the journey – transforming someone who wasn’t initially interested in football into a passionate supporter.
“I’ve been an A-League member since I bought my junior Melbourne Heart membership in their inaugural year and I’ve been following the club I love ever since.”
PART TWO: Member Spotlight: How the A-Leagues became a home away from home (Part 2)
For Andrew, membership is about far more than having a seat at matches. It’s about helping his club and the game continue to grow.
“I love this club. I wish more people loved it as much as I do. I try and get all my mates to come to as many games as they possibly can in a year.
“I want this league to grow. I want my club to grow. I want the game to thrive in this country.”
He’s witnessed plenty of unforgettable moments in City colours, from Melbourne Derby glory to Championship success.
“There are many Melbourne Heart/City memories,” he says when asked if there’s a standout.
“Beating Melbourne victory 3-2 in the Christmas Derby in 2011 winning our first Grand Final against Sydney FC and our second grand final against Melbourne Victory.”
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
But perhaps the greatest reward has been the bond football has created with his Dad.
“My Dad didn’t like football but became a member when I did and he is just as invested as I am.”
And when derby day rolls around, there’s a tradition that has become just as important as the match itself.
“Before a Derby we get a big group to go to the game and we all meet up at the transport bar for a few beers before making our way down to the game.”
For anyone considering becoming a member, Andrew’s message is simple.
“Join! I hope this game grows. Help the league become better, bring friends, bring family and start a tradition.”
