Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata was in Sydney for the Socceroos World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

The former Football Federation Victoria supremo told au.fourfourtwo.com that the extraordinary fan support in Wellington was something they were keen to build on in their second season in the A-League.

"The fans are all waiting for the A-League to start and we really captured the imagination last year," he said.

In the club's first season in the A-League just five months after Phoenix was admitted, Wellington pulled an average home attendance of 11,683.

And with the high-profile LA Galaxy friendly pulling a bumper crowd of 31,853, it was a season to remember for the fans.

"This year it's our aim to build on what we achieved last season. We really want to turn it on," Pignata said.

Despite ending up bottom of the league, the figure smoked defunct New Zealand Knights' average of just 3,909 in season two.

Now Pignata says the club can take their crowds to around last season's average A-League home and away attendance of 14,612.

"Off the field, we're trying to recruit 5000 members which would be fantastic. And we think it's achievable," he said.

"I think we can get that 10-12,000 core support. If we can get 14-15,000 – it will depend on results – but around 13-14,000 would be brilliant."

Phoenix toured the Gold Coast last week easily defeating Gold Coast Premier League sides Broadbeach United and Burleigh Heads. Phoenix beat Broadbeach 5-1 before hammering league-leading Burleigh Heads 13-1.

"Things went very well and I'm extremely pleased with what the trip provided us," Ricki Herbert said.

"The guys have been working hard over the past eight weeks from a physiological perspective and it was a good exercise to get them to an airport, travel to a new environment and enjoy a new challenge outside of Wellington."

And with new signing Adam Kwasnik from the Mariners adding another edge to the side's attack, there's a quiet confidence emanating from across the ditch.

"It's early days. The A-League's a very tough league but we've recruited well and a top four is not beyond us," added Pignata.