North Queensland Fury

North Queensland Fury – Quick Stats

Most Appearances: David Williams (28)
Top Goal Scorer: Robbie Fowler (9)
A-League Championships: 0
Best Regular Season Finish: Seventh (2009-2010)
Best AFC Champions League Result: N/A

About the North Queensland Fury A-League Football Club

After two previously unsuccessful bids to enter the A-League, the Townsville region was awarded with an A-League licence in November 2008 and the North Queensland Fury were born. With a bid from Townsville having missed out to Wellington Phoenix for the spot vacated by the New Zealand Knights after the club’s licence was revoked in 2007, there was renewed hope when the Northern Thunder FC consortium put forth a strong application for entry into the 2008-2009 competition. Football Federation Australia had initially indicated that the Thunder would be granted a licence to join an expanded 10-team A-League in 2008-2009 – along with a bid from Gold Coast. But the game’s governing body were forced to reject the Thunder’s bid after a major financial backer withdrew his support in early 2008.

 Later that year the North Queensland Fury bid – headed by local businessman Don Matheson – was accepted by FFA CEO Ben Buckley and the Fury were confirmed as one of two first ever A-League expansion teams for 2009-2010. North Queensland announced that former Rangers legend and Central Coast Mariners assistant coach Ian Ferguson would the club’s manager for their debut season.

In early 2009, the Fury surprised the rest of the league when they signed former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler as their marquee player. Fowler was wooed by Sydney FC the previous year, but had declined to sign with the A-League glamour club in preference of returning to play in England. Fowler was joined at the Fury by former Sydney trio Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby and Jacob Timpano as well as promising youngsters David Williams and Shane Stefanutto. But despite compiling a reasonably strong squad, North Queensland were tipped by most experts to finish their maiden campaign in last place.

The Fury had a slow start to the season and would have to wait until round four to register their first competition point, courtesy of a 3-3 draw away to Adelaide United. Their first ever A-League win came two weeks later – also away from home – as a Fowler wonder goal gave his side a 1-0 victory over Sydney. Fowler’s second half long-range chip on the half-volley was viewed by many as the goal of the season, and was a major highlight for the new club. Their first home win finally came in round twelve, when they defeated Perth Glory 2-1. Despite being on the bottom of the ladder for the majority of the season, a late season surge saw North Queensland finish in seventh place, narrowly missing a semi final berth.

What should have been an off-season of great excitement and anticipation for the year ahead turned into a nightmare as the Fury fell into financial turmoil, which saw star Fowler and more than half of their players – along with their coach – depart after FFA assumed ownership of the embattled club. Strapped for cash, North Queensland managed to scrape together a squad in time for the 2010-2011 season, primarily by signing a host of unheralded state league players.

They were again written off by the experts, but under new coach Franz Straka, the Fury shocked everyone by taking five points from their first three matches, without losing a game. And whilst the future is not yet completely bright for North Queensland, they are certainly taking steps in the right direction.
    
Current Key Players: David Williams, Ufuk Talay, Dyron Daal, Mark Hughes, Chris Payne.