THIS WEEK in North Queensland Fury news, one saga ends as a new one begins, Scott Chipperfield's wife will be in Townsville within the next few weeks, the club announces our first major sponsor and more...

Marquee saga ends, as Chipperfield one begins.

Finally the marquee saga has finished with the club announcing a two-year deal for Robbie Fowler, and with that, a new one begins with Chipperfield saying he's 80% likely to accept the offer made to him after failing a medical with Hertha Berlin.

Don Matheson's bold call that we could sign both Fowler and Chipperfield looks set to be a good one with the Socceroo's wife due to arrive in Townsville within weeks.

 

If the sights and sounds fail to convince her you can bet your house that The Townsville Bulletin will have a petition up and running to convince the Chippers family, it worked for the Fowler's didn't it?

 

'The Robbie Fowler Effect'

NQ Fury CEO Dean Hassall believes sponsors will begin lining up to get a piece of the Fury on the back of signing former England international Robbie Fowler.

 

"He does open up some doors for us, there's no question there.

"We've already been talking to some companies who have a history with Robbie and it certainly helps open those doors further."

 

He wasn't wrong either with the club proudly announcing our first major sponsorship, Macquarie Southern Cross who will cover TV and Radio for NQ Fury FC.

 

“This is a fantastic partnership for the Fury,” CEO Dean Hassall said.

“Teaming up with Macquarie Southern Cross will give North Queensland Fury FC’s
supporters wherever they are the most up to date access to news about the players, the
coaching staff and the club."

 

Will Don raise the bar?

A few weeks ago when I spoke to Ian Ferguson he told me the only expectation Don Matheson had was that his club was competitive.

 

“The chairman and the board are being very realistic - we’re going to be four years behind everyone else - all the other teams are set up and it’s very difficult for us being a new franchise to be successful from the first match.

 

"The other clubs have got their players and structures.

 

"I’m not saying it’ll be doom and gloom, but we have to be realistic and hopefully we’ll be competitive and make it hard for other teams when we take the park.”

 

You've got to wonder if Don has since decided to raise the bar, the club now has a first-class marquee who will be a lure when recruiting other players (as Chipperfield has proven) and is in negotiations with a Socceroo who is “80% sure he'll accept the offer made.”

 

Admittedly we still have a rather ordinary squad, James Robinson and Jeremy Brockie to name a few, but should we manage to sign Chipperfield as well as a few quality imports and fringe Socceroos then surely Matheson would lift his expectations...?

 

Fellow NQ teams excited rather then envious.

Instead of being envious over the signing of superstar Robbie Fowler NQ Fury's counterpart's NQ Cowboy's and Townsville Crocodiles are excited about the prospect of having such a big name in town.

 

Cowboys executive director Peter Parr said: "His presence will obviously give them an enormous boost and give the community and the profile of Townsville an enormous boost."

 

And why wouldn't they be? Fowler gives NQ Fury the type of exposure all around the world that the Cowboy's and Crocs could only dream of.

 

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As always you can find the NQ Fury forum at http://forums.northqldfc.com.au/