Fury on its arse.

Fury on its arse.

They've got a good base for a club given the population base there.

I really don't know about this private ownership model in the A-League though, relying on benefactors who pull out the moment they lose money is not good.

I really think they league should look at a different ownership model for clubs. At least as an option for a club to choos ewhich way it will go.

"With the FFA on standby to step into a bail out the Fury � which needs in the region of $1.5 million to continue operating for next season"

$1.5m? That sounds familiar. Oh yeah, that's about how much the FFA has earned off us the last two weeks.

Fair enough - we'll bail out the Fury but how about we get their youth league slot as a wee "thanks Phoenix for not being another big steaming dog turd of a franchise".

terminator_x2010-03-02 19:14:40

I'm sure when Robbie Fowler leaves the wage bill they'll be back in the black again...

Move the Furries to Tasmania. Or Christchurch.

The Furries don't have a NYL team.

They would be entitled to one though?

oh dear. If this is all true, I hope this can be resolved.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/les-murray/news/973531/Fury-crisis-deepens

Fury crisis deepens

Crisis talks aimed at insuring the future of North Queensland Fury have resulted in coach Ian Ferguson�s contract being declared null and void and the entire first team squad being told they are free to seek employment elsewhere.

With owner Don Matheson set to liquidate the company which ran and managed the club, A-League boss Archie Fraser was on Friday involved in a series of summit meetings with Matheson, the players and local business identities in a concerted effort to drum up the $1.5 million needed to keep the club in the competition for another season.

Leading Townsville car dealers Tony Ireland and Geoff Pickering are being courted as potential white knights to fill the void left by Matheson, who has declared his desire to divest himself of any further ownership of the club which has cost him $2.5 million.

It is understood the FFA is prepared to enter into a co-ownership partnership with Pickering and Ireland, and other interested parties, to keep the expansion club afloat in 2010-2011.

But the immediate fallout of the upheaval is panic throughout the playing ranks with the squad, whose contracts are protected until the end of March, told they can move on.

That includes marquee man Robbie Fowler, who is now almost certain not to return to the club from a break in his native England. Socceroos David Williams and Shane Stefanutto are also in limbo.

Stefanutto, who has two years left on his deal, said: �No A-League club has gone bust yet and I don't expect us to become the first.

"I have not personally met with the club yet, that will come later, but I am not worried and believe I will be here next year and so will the club.

"I'm sure the FFA will make sure things are sorted out, and I am genuinely not worried about it.

"We are all aware of the speculation and while some players might well move on, I certainly don't expect to be one of them. I am convinced the club has a future.

"We finished seventh in the A-League and have a lot to offer. If the club does need restructuring then so be it."

Scotsman Ferguson, a year into his �450,000 ($A751,000) three-year deal, is also likely to go, unless he is offered and accepts a low budget amended contract should a new consortium take charge.

Ferguson�s assistant Stuart Petrie has also been told his contract is worthless.

It�s understood the Professional Footballers Association was urgently addressing the collapse of contracts in a bid to project the welfare of the players.

Representatives from Football Federation Australia (FFA) met on Friday with Townsville-based community leaders to discuss the future of the embattled club.

In a statement released by the FFA, CEO Ben Buckley said he applauded the effort from all at the club and he recognised its significant achievements in its first season.

�To be successful long-term there needs to be wider community and corporate support for NQF and it can not be left to one person to drive the club,� Buckley said.

�We are working through the processes with many interested parties and are confident there is strong support for football to remain in Townsville.

�I strongly encourage everyone in Townsville and North Queensland to get behind the team and show how much they want a successful football club in their region.�

In a bizarre twist to the affair, Townsville�s major Les Tyrell was at all three meetings as he seeks to discover whether golf course guru Matheson�s looming exit from the loss-making club is going to result in the council forfeiting the $1 million guarantee it put up to help the Fury get off the ground.


diego's son2010-03-05 18:49:53

Should look to sign Williams if he is not going back to them...

to add to our growing list of wingers?

The FFA should stand behind the Fury.

Hey leave Invercargill out of those sort of comments.
Southlanders do get behind sport. Netball, Basketball, Rugby and Cycling Just to list afew all have top line teams and backing from the fans.

When did you last hear a Radiosport host say he'd have to go to Auckland to watch a game for the atmosphere. Never, even with 1 million + people.
Well it happened for Southland on Thursday night, thanks to Mark Watson.

FFA had nothing to do with the Kingz!

Well it looks like Caceres will leave, Bertos is playing rather poorly this season (excluding the first few weeks) and Daniel has barely played. Williams is better than Bertos and Daniel and with Caceres leaving and Williams looking like leaving, why not?

Not sure where you heard that Caceres is leaving.  There were strong rumor that he was one of the two people on the verge of re-signing until negotiations were put on hold due to the play-offs.

There have been a few indications that Caceres could leave.

Wouldn't mind Stefanutto if Mckain left.

A-League puta/putana if so, Perth, Melb, CCM, Wello. How many more clubs does he want? If he keeps heading east he'll play int the Easter Island Soccer League next.

PS - Just quickly, why is Caceres' Mrs in Argentina, isn't she with him? Is he married by proxy or something? Serious question in ways, why did she have the baby in Argentina? Is her family based there?

Probably sick of moving every year.

Prob wanted to have baby at home....as did Mrs Smeltz and Mrs Daniel
For anyone that has had kids, being in Wellington without family support and a partner travelling across the tasman would be awful.
Royal2010-03-08 10:24:21

Hack.

they need to get the local support first.after the crap showing at the semi final v the jets,that obviously needs a lot of work.

aha!that just shows how much i notice teams that arent the phoenix

Should sign Fowler