IT'S OFFICIAL, Wednesday's announcement that Robbie Fowler had signed on a two-year-deal finally brought to an end what was one of the longest sagas the A-League has seen.

And you can't help but praise Ian Ferguson and Don Matheson for it. They haven't put together the most spectacular squad ever but they've done a great job in doing what Sydney failed to do by luring the former England international to Townsville. And who would have thought it months and months ago?

Rewind back to October 2008 when the 'marquee saga' started. It was when Cassio was linked with the vacant marquee spot, the next day however it was announced he had signed for a further two years at Adelaide. After missing out on Cassio the club turned its attention to Newcastle Jets defender Jade North.

Shortly after signing on as the club's marquee and first ever player it was reported an unnamed Korean club was after North who had just signed a three-year deal. Three days after saying to the press "What K-League club?" Jade signed for Incheon United.

Would we ever get a marquee?

After losing North to the K-League coach Ian Ferguson revealed he was courting three players for the marquee spot among them Socceroo Scott Chipperfield. Later it was reported the club had been in talks with Chipperfield for around two months but nothing seemed to eventuate.

It was quickly becoming a real possibility that we wouldn't end up with a marquee.

Now fast-forward to the February 4 2009, possibly the most important day so far in the history of North Queensland Fury football club. After over a month of speculation and a week spent in Townsville taking in the facilities and tourist attractions the Australian public would finally find out whether 'god' was going to be in the A-League next season.

Thankfully his answer was the right one for NQFFC, and we finally had ourselves a first class marquee player. What's better we don't have to worry about him running off to Asia for money.

What Robbie Fowler brings NQ Fury is something that neither Cassio nor Jade North could ever give us. He's a proven goal scorer something that's lacking in our squad, a player of his quality means huge exposure in both Australia and overseas, he has experience in arguably the best league in the World which ultimately will help young and inexperienced players around him and he'll definitely help player recruitment... shall I keep going?

With one of the biggest signings the A-League has seen now official there's always going to be something to say, here's what the people that matter had to say at the press conference.

Don Matheson said:
"It's taken a lot of work to make this happen, but it was worth it to because I really believe having him playing for North Queensland Fury FC will change the way people think about the Hyundai A-League."

Ian Ferguson said:
"I've admired him as a player for a long time and it's just fantastic to have him signed.
Robbie is more than just a goal scorer - although he certainly knows where the net is - he links up play and he knows how to position himself to get other players involved."

Robbie Fowler said:
"I had nothing but good things to tell my family about the football side of things and the lifestyle opportunities North Queensland can offer us.

"From a football perspective everything Fury coach Ian Ferguson put on the table and showed me was first class and the enthusiasm and drive of everyone at the club is fantastic."

Ben Buckley said:
"Robbie Fowler is one of the best known names in football with a wonderful record playing for both Liverpool and England. It's terrific to welcome him to the Hyundai A-League and particularly to one of our newest clubs."

You can see the whole press conference here.

Overall it was a fantastic day for both NQ Fury and the A-League and I hope there's many more to come.

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It's been well known for quite a while that the club was keen on signing Socceroo Scott Chipperfield, with rumours some time ago that the club had been in talks with him about becoming our marquee for months.

Then Robbie Fowler came along and suddenly Chipperfield was out of the picture, or so it seemed... Could we sign both Robbie Fowler and Scott Chipperfield? Ian Ferguson and Don Matheson seemed to think so and it was only yesterday that we found out this was a real possibility.

"I'm about eighty percent likely to accept the offer they have out on the table and come home,'' said Chipperfield.

"The club has two years in mind and that would take me through until I am 35, and then you would hope to take it year by year."

Not only that but he proved the club's theory that the signing of Robbie Fowler would help their recruitment drive.

"The fact the Fury have signed Robbie Fowler shows how ambitious they are and I know I would enjoy being a part of that," he said.

Scott Chipperfield is looking very likely to become a NQ Fury player, though it's unlikely he'll be supplying too many crosses into Fowler if Ian Ferguson has his way.

"I'd like to think I could help set up a few although I think the coach (Ian Ferguson) has a more defensive role in mind for me.

Maybe he thinks I'll struggle to handle then heat!" he added.