<div class="article_body_header">Phoenix take a Mulligan</div><div class="article_body_date" id="_ctl7_pnlArticleDate">Monday, 21 July 2008 </div><div class="article_body_content"><p class="articlefirst">WELLINGTON Phoenix FC’s already impressive defensive and midfield stocks have been further bolstered by the signing of former Scnuthorpe United and current All Whites player David Mulligan.</p> <div class="imageright" id="_ctl7__ctl0_pnlImage" style="width: 250px"><div class="imagePic"></div><div class="desc" id="_ctl7__ctl0_divDescription">David Mulligan </div></div><p class="articlefirst"></p> The 26-year-old defender joins the Phoenix on a two-year deal after a long career in England, including two seasons with Scnuthorpe in the Championship, one tier below the Premiership.</p> The signing of Mulligan is another significant signing coup for the Phoenix, who have recruited impressively and aggressively in their build-up to their second season in the Hyundai A-League.</p> With key men Andrew Durante and Jon McKain anchoring the Phoenix’s defence, Mulligan will provide further defensive depth with his ability to play at left back and right back – as well as offering another handy midfield option for Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert.</p> Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said Mulligan had been on the club’s radar for some time.</p> “We’ve been discussing options with David for a few months and the opportunity came about last week and we agreed terms to a two-year contract. He offers us a lot of versatility given his ability to play at the back on the left or the right, as well as midfield.</p> “That’s not to say we were concerned about the resources we already had in place in those positions prior to signing David, but it’s about providing cover.</p> “One of the things we want this year is to have back-up [in all positions] and have depth in our squad. David certainly adds that depth in a number of areas.”</p> Pignata said Mulligan had proven top-flight experience after playing for several top English clubs since 2000.</p> “He’s played in the Championship, which is an extremely good league. Unfortunately things didn’t work out for him when he went to Port Vale. He had a few options in the United Kingdom but he realised that the A-League was an attractive proposition.</p> “It just goes to show that, instead of playing in the lower leagues in the UK, you can have a great career in the A-League.”</p> The two-year deal was also significant for the Phoenix and for Mulligan, Pignata said.</p> “We wanted to have some surety, as did David. It signals our commitment to the future and our commitment to playing a big part in the competition.”</p> Mulligan will join his new club on Monday, July 28, to undergo a pre-season fitness assessment.</p> DAVID MULLIGAN Date of birth: March 24, 1982 in Fazakerley, England (26 years) Height, weight: 1.73m, 70kg Playing position: Defender</p> Club history: 2008 Port Vale, 2007 Grimsby Town (loan), 2006-08 Scnuthorpe United, 2004-06 Doncaster Rovers, 2000-03 Barnsley.</p> Hyundai A-League statistics: None (to debut with Phoenix).</p> Representative honours: New Zealand All Whites (19 caps, three goals), debut v China Olympic team, June 19, 2002; NZ under-23, NZ under-20, NZ under-17.</p> Biography: A regular starter for the All Whites, Mulligan brings extensive top-flight experience to the Phoenix. The former Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers player helped Scnuthorpe United achieve promotion to the Championship in 2006. He is a versatile defender who can play on both sides of the park as well as midfield. Mulligan is a dead-ball specialist with an eye for goal.</p></div>
The A League is at an awful standard. Conference level at best. Leo Bertos is seen as the best winger in the division. Mulligan will stand out as a class act