HAS North Queensland Fury’s goalkeeper situation finally been cleared up?
For months and months fans have been left it in the dark as to who exactly will be the club's first choice goalkeeper. There was speculation Sydney FC custodian Clint Bolton had arrived in Townsville many weeks ago, possibly for discussions with Fury officials, but that was the end of it.
For now, 23-year-old former Newcastle Jets back-up goalkeeper Justin Pasfield remains the club's only contracted glovesman and it remains to be seen whether the inexperienced youngster is handed the role of the club's first-choice keeper. Some four months ago when I had the opportunity to interview Fury coach Ian Ferguson, the situation remained the same. Naturally, one of the questions I was eager to ask the ex-Gers midfielder was if he was interested in Leicester City keeper Paul Henderson.
The reason being, while numerous names have been thrown around and then dismissed, one name has and still does remain. Enter Paul Henderson, a Sydney-born 33-year-old goalkeeper who's been on the books of Leicester City for the past five years. Henderson's role for Leicester in recent times has been minimal, further increasing rumours he is set for a move home to the A-League. Ferguson admitted interest in Henderson as well as a host of other unnamed keepers, but didn't rule out leaving Justin Pasfield and possibly a State League keeper to fight it out for top spot.
"He's a goalkeeper that does interest me... there's a few others out there as well. I'm spoiled for choice because of the number in Australia who are available," said Ferguson. "I have been lucky to pick up Justin Pasfield... he's only 23 and a fantastic goalkeeper and when I sign the second keeper there'll be plenty of competition there for that number one spot."
Despite there no doubt being talented keepers spread across the State League's, players such as Keiran Gonzalez, I'm sure I would not be the only disappointed NQ Fury to see our second keeper signing come from a State League. Unless Scott Wilson and co. can impress at the back and stay injury free defence may not be our strongest point for the 2009/10 A-League season, taking that into account an experienced keeper in the mould of Paul Henderson, Zeljko Kalac or even Mark Bosnich is essential.
At 33-years of age Henderson's age and ongoing injury problems have been a talking point, but with the A-League's shortened season it shouldn't pose too much of a problem for an experienced keeper. That and the fact that there are another five months before NQ Fury make their A-League debut, meaning plenty of time to overcome injury problems and adapt to the heat and humidity of Townsville.
With rumours of Henderson's exit from Leicester City still looming, could it be possible the reason we have heard so many speculative guesses and so little facts because Fergie has been waiting for Henderson's contract to run out and end his five-year stint in England? Who knows, but there hasn't been a better time to sign that talented and experienced keeper us Fury fans have been waiting for.
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