ID :
114361
Wed, 03/31/2010 - 16:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/114361
The shortlink copeid
Lowy confident Fury have A-League future
(AAP) - North Queensland Fury look set to line up in the next A-League season but not with Robbie Fowler as coach.
Football Federation Australia board members were locked in meetings on Wednesday
night examining the cash-strapped Fury's detailed submission to play on in the
2010-11 season.
The North Queensland club was competitive on the field in their debut season but
they bled serious funds under the ownership of chairman Don Matheson.
The Townsville business community have rallied together to keep the Fury afloat
under and their endeavours are expected to be rewarded in the coming days.
With the FFA due to decide their future by the end of March, chairman Frank Lowy on
Wednesday morning gave strong indications North Queensland would remain in an
11-team A-League next season.
"But we need everybody's participation there and I have indications that the
participation is coming and if need be the FFA has to help them stay there, so be
it," Lowy said.
"I'm expecting Fury to be part of the A-League next year."
Lowy said Townsville's continued presence in the national competition was important
with the city one of several proposed venues to host matches if Australia's
2018-2022 World Cup bid is successful.
"I think it's very important to keep football in North Queensland and not just
abandon it, either by FFA or by the people of North Queensland, for a few dollars,"
he said.
But speculation marquee import Fowler was set to take a pay cut to help the Fury's
financial situation and take over as coach from Ian Ferguson, appear off the mark.
It's understood the FFA wouldn't allow an unlicensed coach to be in charge of one of
their team's following the situation where Aurelio Vidmar is not recognised as
Adelaide United's coach in the Asian Champions League.
The ACL only recognises licensed coaches, and with Fowler lacking the proper
credentials the FFA are reluctant to see another unlicensed coach put a
less-than-professional mark on their competition during World Cup bidding.
Current Fury coach Ferguson, who is contracted for three years, has denied reports
he's headed to Perth Glory for an assistant's role.
While Townsville's business community fell short of achieving a $2.5 million
fund-raising campaign, FFA chief executive Ben Buckley praised their efforts.
"We always set them a goal of $2.5 million and I think they've made some really
solid progress towards that," Buckley said.
"We have to give them a lot of credit for the commitments that may not be over the
line just yet."
Football Federation Australia board members were locked in meetings on Wednesday
night examining the cash-strapped Fury's detailed submission to play on in the
2010-11 season.
The North Queensland club was competitive on the field in their debut season but
they bled serious funds under the ownership of chairman Don Matheson.
The Townsville business community have rallied together to keep the Fury afloat
under and their endeavours are expected to be rewarded in the coming days.
With the FFA due to decide their future by the end of March, chairman Frank Lowy on
Wednesday morning gave strong indications North Queensland would remain in an
11-team A-League next season.
"But we need everybody's participation there and I have indications that the
participation is coming and if need be the FFA has to help them stay there, so be
it," Lowy said.
"I'm expecting Fury to be part of the A-League next year."
Lowy said Townsville's continued presence in the national competition was important
with the city one of several proposed venues to host matches if Australia's
2018-2022 World Cup bid is successful.
"I think it's very important to keep football in North Queensland and not just
abandon it, either by FFA or by the people of North Queensland, for a few dollars,"
he said.
But speculation marquee import Fowler was set to take a pay cut to help the Fury's
financial situation and take over as coach from Ian Ferguson, appear off the mark.
It's understood the FFA wouldn't allow an unlicensed coach to be in charge of one of
their team's following the situation where Aurelio Vidmar is not recognised as
Adelaide United's coach in the Asian Champions League.
The ACL only recognises licensed coaches, and with Fowler lacking the proper
credentials the FFA are reluctant to see another unlicensed coach put a
less-than-professional mark on their competition during World Cup bidding.
Current Fury coach Ferguson, who is contracted for three years, has denied reports
he's headed to Perth Glory for an assistant's role.
While Townsville's business community fell short of achieving a $2.5 million
fund-raising campaign, FFA chief executive Ben Buckley praised their efforts.
"We always set them a goal of $2.5 million and I think they've made some really
solid progress towards that," Buckley said.
"We have to give them a lot of credit for the commitments that may not be over the
line just yet."
