Australian All Stars Game... Couldn't Ask For More!!!

Now that we have come to A-League final round of the 2010/11 Season and we were robbed of sending our boys off into their own career decision,

Ufuk Talay to Coach (maybe Assistant Coach Fury), 
Justin Pasfield (Central Coast Mariners), 
Isaka Cernak (Melbourne Victory),
Chris Payne (Newcastle Jets), 
and as we recently heard Stuart McLaren (Leaving back for Scotland with Family).


These are just the beginning of the season's wind down, and before we find out if the FFA want Fury next season. 


The Fury office were disappointed with the decision of FFA, A-League and Fox Sports deciding to postpone and move to the closest (I don't really think 2000km is closest) stadium and make the game have a great record crowd and all for nothing really. It was a great game to watch, Ufuk coming off on the hour mark to no special reception (no one cared there- idiots). 

The All Star XI has been announced with a stellar line-up, so far, of A-League and Ex-Socceroos players.


Coach - Frank Farina (Former Coach Socceroos)
Keeper - Clint Bolton (Melbourne Heart), 
Defenders - Mark Rudan (former Sydney FC), Craig Moore (former Socceroo), Franz Straka (Former National Czech Player), Stuart McLaren (Former Queensland/Brisbane Roar)
Mid-Fielders - Steve Corica (former Sydney FC), Wayne Shroj (currently Melbourne Heart), Robbie Middleby (Former Socceroo)
Strikers - David Zdrilic (former Sydney FC), Sasho Petrovski (Newcastle Jets) and Andy Harper (former Sydney FC and Fox Sports Football analyst).


The Ufuk Talay XI has been talked about and seems as though there will be appearances from Fury players along with a few up-and-coming NQ Razorbacks are rumoured to make an appearance. Mark Bosnich (former Newcastle Jets and Fox Sports Football analyst) has been named as their coach.


Make the Fury feel like they deserve to be here!! Make a donation to NQ Foootball and watch a game of a lifetime!

The End Is Nigh.... or Is It??

As we see players and staff departing our beautiful part of paradise (maybe not, in recent times), we have a little light of hope from Football Queensland.  It is LIKELY that they will fund a National Youth side under the Fury, with the opportunity of our youngsters to have a feel for the real prospect of not moving to a capital to further their career in the world game.


Football Queensand CEO, Ben Buckley said that "Introducing local talent through the youth team is a logical extension to our existing commitment.  My recommendation to the Board will be to do whatever we can do to support the Fury’s future.”  Will this be an incentive for FFA and A-League Boards to discuss that we will have more money to play with and therefore more aspects of the Club than just the one team.  Lets hope there is more for the Fury next season as I'm thinking it will bring on more sponsorship from local businesses and abroad.


Now that Ufuk Talay has hung up his boots for the last time, Justin Pasfield will miss the first game of the season at Central Coast Mariners because of a stupid incident which didn't need to happen. Stuart MacLaren has decided to move back to Scotland with his family, and hopefully will be use to Fury as an overseas Scout for prospective players.

Straka's World - "While nothing in comparison to what many have gone through, another casualty of Yasi was our final home game, scheduled to be played on Saturday, having to be moved to Gold Coast.  This was a huge disappointment for me and all the boys.  I hope it's not, but this could be out last chance to say thanks.  It has been a hard season, but our fans have stayed loyal and we would have loved to have thanked them in person and given our retiring captain Ufuk Talay a final lap of honour." The rest of Straka's World can be found here.

Whilst we still don't know the decision of the Fury's future, we can only hope that Football Queensland has helped our cause in keeping Nq apart of A-League, and if not, then we will just have to remember the good times and hope for a team with a "better" backing in the not too near future.

For 6 Points on The Board....

The all important 6-point bonus round, in place for another game, in which Newcastle's Stadium Management screwed us over. This game can be life or death for Fury, as a lot of Fury's game has been this season.


North Queensland Fury vs. Newcastle JetsSaturday, 8 January 2010Dairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleLocal kick-off: 8:15pm (9.15pm AEDT)

Referee: Ryan Shepheard
Assistant referees: Daniel Jones and Graham Buzzi
Fourth official: Matt Hodgson

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partners are Zinc 100.7 (Townsville) and 1233 ABC Newcastle. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au


North Queensland Fury: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 8. Adam CASEY, 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 23. Lorenzo SIPI, 24. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk) *three to be omitted*
In: Lorenzo SIPI (promoted), Eric AKOTO (promoted), Dyron DAAL (promoted), Jason SPAGNUOLO (promoted)
Out: Ufuk TALAY (hamstring – 2 weeks), Simon STOREY (lower back – 1 week), Osama MALIK (hamstring – 2-3 weeks), Isaka CERNAK (knee), Matthew HAM (knee – out for the season)


Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN (c), 9. Zhang SHUO, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABBAS, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 50.Jack DUNCAN *one to be omitted*
In: Taylor REGAN, Zhang SHUO (both promoted)
Out: Ljubo MILICEVIC (ankle - two weeks), Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Michael BRIDGES (knee - 6 weeks), Jeremy BROCKIE (broken foot – 4-6 weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Matthew NASH (groin - two weeks), Kaz PATAFTA (groin - 1 week), Brodie MOOY (shin splints - two weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 4): North Queensland Fury wins 1, Newcastle Jets wins 3 (0 draws)

• Newcastle Jets midfielder TAREK ELRICH is set to make his 100^th Hyundai A-League appearance.

Hot summer Season Greetings

The all important games are starting tonight, with last season's Champions Sydney FC. Both teams are fighting for the top six, as there are only 3 points to differ between Fury and Sydney. 

With ex-sky blues on our side (Payne, Pasfield and Ufuk) they all want to show that they are in a side not to be taken with a touch of salt.

Line-ups for tonight.

North Queensland Fury FC v Sydney FC, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, 9pm (EDT) 8pm LOCAL

North Queensland Fury: 1. Justin Pasfield (gk), 2. Jack Hingert, 3. Brad McDonald, 5. Mark Hughes, 6. Ufuk Talay (c), 7. Gareth Edds, 10. Dyron Daal, 11. David Williams, 12. Panagiotis Nikas, 14. Chris Grossman, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon Storey, 17. Osama Malik, 18. Brett Studman, 21. Jason Spagnuolo, 24. Ramazan Tavsancioglu, 28. Sebastian Usai (gk)

In: 6. Ufuk Talay (back from 1 week suspension), 14. Chris Grossman (back from injury), 15. Chris Payne (back from injury)
Out: 13. Andre Kilian (ankle – 2 weeks), 4. Eric Akoto (knee – 2 weeks), 8. Adam Casey (ankle – 1 week), 13. Andre Kilian (ankle – 2 weeks), 19. Isaka Cernak (knee – 2 weeks), 20. Matthew Ham (knee – out for the season)

Sydney FC: 1. Liam Reddy (gk), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Stephan Keller, 6. Hirofumi Moriyasu, 7. Brendan Gan, 8. Stuart Musialik, 9. Bruno Cazarine, 11. Kofi Danning, 12. Shannon Cole, 14. Alex Brosque, 15. Terry McFlynn (c), 16. Terry Antonis, 19. Mark Bridge, 20. Ivan Necevski (gk), 21. Scott Jamieson, 22. Sung-Hwan Byun, 24. Dimitri Petratos

Out: 5. Hayden Foxe (suspended - 1 week), Nicky Carle (Back – 2 Weeks), Rhyan Grant (knee – 1 week)

Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones

Fury VS FFA

Now, after all the World Cup nonsense, Fury have one thing on their minds, staying afloat! With 2 more players (Payne and Malik) announcing they're moving on next year, Middleby, Straka and Krayem are busy with their staff getting a Community ownership draft on the books for FFA, and with the latest news of the Sydney Rovers Franchise not given a chance for the 2011/12 season, due to lack of capital, meaning Fury may have some bad news coming their way. The FFA are still looking for a second team for a Sydney franchise to make that 12th team as the FFA have the schedule to worry about. There have also been talks about a possible bid for a Canberra or Tasmanian team to join next season. Hopefully expanding to make more exciting Football.

FFA saying that fans have been complaining about the odd number of teams, making byes for each team and then Franz Straka had a go at nearly everyone in the post match talk in Gold Coast last week, about the fact that the schedule coming up the christmas is not for the light-hearted and probably the cause of his absence from the sideline against Adelaide last night.

As much as Fury hate to admit it, the off-pitch politics with their predicament has had an affect on their games, and it's unfortunate to see that happen to such a young, versatile team, which had so much potential at the start of the season, to rock the table. Well we know that hasn't happened, so far.

We shall see how this roller coaster of news will pan out and hopefully we will see all back next year, but we will see! The best the fans can do is keep our heads up, turn up and "Stand up for Fury", and make sure you have done your bit in making sure they have your support.

Next game is this Wednesday (15 Dec) at 7pm (LOCAL- at Dairy Farmers, Townsville) versus last season's Grand Final winners Sydney. Shall be a cracker!

Big Shots to be Cut Down From High Horse

The weekend has brought some confidence for the Newcastle side, after they defeated LA Galaxy (again) 2-1, but it's time for the Jets to come down from their castle and play their first game against Fury, this season. Only one point is between Fury (11th) and Jets (9th), and only a win away from being equal with 8th placers, Sydney. There are only 4 points separating the Fury from the top six. If we want a place in the roster next season, I think it's time to get big wins on the board. David Williams showed some class in our mid-week game against rivals Gold Coast, having a shot some 25 yards out, deflecting from the crossbar and in the net. More shots outside the box will have to take place more often, A-League defence is very last minute in some games, once attackers are in the box then they defend and tackle. Take more shots like Dave and we will start winning games, we have the muscle to have rocket-like shots from out there, we've seen Hughes, a defender, take shots from nearly halfway!


Come on down to the "Saturday Night Fever" match versus the Newcastle Jets. Gates open at 6.45pm!

North Queensland Fury v Newcastle Jets, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, 8.15pm (LOCAL)

North Queensland Fury squad: 
1. Justin Pasfield (gk), 2. Jack Hingert, 3. Brad McDonald, 5. Mark Hughes, 6. Ufuk Tlay(c), 7. Gareth Edds, 8. Adam Casey, 9. Eugene Sseppuya, 10. Dyron Daal, 11. David Williams, 12. Panagiotis Nikas, 13. Andre Kilian, 15. Chris Payne, 16. Simon Storey, 17. Osama Malik, 18. Brett Studman, 21. Jason Spagnuolo, 23. Lorenzo SIPI, 24. Ramazan Tavsancioglu, 28. Sebastian Usai (gk). *Five to be omitted*
In: 3. Brad McDonald (promoted), 8. Adam Casey (promoted), 15. Chris Payne (promoted), 18. Brett Studman (promoted), 23. Lorenzo Sipi (promoted),
Out: 4. Eric Akoto (knee – 2 weeks), 14. Chris Grossman (knee – 2 weeks), 19. Isaka Cernak (knee – awaiting tests), 20. Matthew Ham (knee – out for the season)

Newcastle Jets FC squad: 
40. Matthew Nash (gk), 2. Taylor Regan, 3. Adam D’Apuzzo, 4. Nikolai topor Stanley, 6. Ben Kantarovski 7. Kasey Wehrman,10. Ruben Zadkovich, 11. Tarek Elrich, 12. Jobe Wheelhouse13. Sasho Petrovski, 14. Labinot Haliti, 17. Marcello Fiorentini, 18. Marko Jesic, 19. Ali Abass, 21. Brodie Mooy 22. Kaz Patafta 24. Francis Jeffers 50. Jack Duncan (GK) 9. Zhang Shuo. *Three to be omitted*
In: 50. Jack Duncan (promoted), 10. Ruben Zadkovich (returns from injury)
Out:  5. Ljubo Milicevic (ankle), 1. Ben Kennedy (gk) (knee - six weeks), Neil Young (illness – indefinite), Michael Bridges (Knee - six weeks), Jeremy Brockie (broken foot - 6 to 8 weeks), 5. Sean Rooney (knee-season)

FFA Cup a better Reality

The World Cup winning bids have been announced and it didn't include Australia!!! BUGGER!! So, now what has Ben Buckley got in stall for us?? He had promises for Fury that they will not be made defunct if Australia won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, but now that this is not a reality, FFA have to come up with another game plan to help the survival of Fury and maybe even the whole A-League competition.

With the addition of an FFA Cup now more definite than World Cup, the FFA need to keep a bigger competition running to involve something like Europa League, where lower grades compete as equals. This will mean our State League teams, and probably the Capital City's Premier teams, will be in the FFA Cup to make another competition for Australian Football.

With A-League in its 6th Season as a competition, taking over from the old National Soccer League (NSL), Football in Australia has come a long way. One being that we officially call the beautiful game Football, and not Soccer, as some westerners have come to call it. And secondly, it has generated the biggest junior following of the game, that anyone in Australia has ever seen. There are more kids playing the game, whether it be in schoolyards, on a pitch, or following a favourite team; Australia has a following that is an underdog of its own, where we are the only ones that actually PLAY FOOTBALL!

There are 8 years until Australia can bid for the World Cup again, in time for 2030/2034 games. We will be up against heavyweights in the likes of USA and England again, but what we have achieved in the past 5 years, in 2 World Cups and in our 6th A-League season, can only grow, and hopefully Fury are in that future!

Head up Australia! It can only get better!