Football fans' feathers are being ruffled in Wellington as rumours fly that A-League club the Phoenix are considering a move to Auckland.
Media reports today say New Zealand Football and Auckland car dealer Colin Giltrap are looking at shifting the club to the country's biggest city.
There have been tentative moves to book up to six games in the coming A-League season at Auckland venues, including Eden Park, as well as to rebrand the club as the New Zealand Phoenix, the Stuff website reports.
Other home games would be played around the country, including in Wellington.
NZ Football chairman Frank van Hattum denied there was an "active programme" to take the club to Auckland but said that, if there was a "change in circumstances" involving owner Terry Serepisos, then "that would be a whole different ball game".
But Wellington City Council sports portfolio leader John Morrison said van Hattum and Giltrap were involved in moves to relocate the club, Stuff says.
"My sources tell me that they are looking at doing this. It is very disappointing and, if New Zealand Football and anybody else think they are going to do that, then they have another thing coming."
Serepisos called any relocation plan a "ridiculous, embarrassing joke" and said the chances of success were "a big, fat zero".
