AS RUMOURS come flooding in over possible signings the Gold Coast will make, it’s anyone’s guess where we will find some decent players.
It seems Clive Palmer’s private jets along with the Gold Coast lifestyle are far more attractive than North Queensland. As shown by the signing of former Juventus back up keeper Jess Vanstrattan and potential signings Joel Porter and Jason Culina, Gold Coast are out to get the best players around - and possibly win the A-League in their first season (yes, it is unlikely).With many clubs re-signing players as quick as possible and Gold Coast looming as the place to be for off-contract players and fringe Socceroos, we may struggle to make a decent team, let alone a side that will challenge for the top four.
A few days ago we heard the news that Cassio turned down Don Matheson’s offer to be North Queensland's inaugural marquee player. If we cannot even sign Cassio, who isn’t even the marquee player at Adelaide, then what hope do we have of signing players of a similar standard, who will be included within the salary cap?
Add to that Mitch Langerak, who we were believed to be in contact with, recently signed a contract extension with Victory despite being the number two goalkeeper behind Michael Theoklitos. Another player NQ are likely to miss out on is Michael Thwaite who despite being born in Queensland is out of NQ’s price range. The attempt to sign Ufuk Talay 0 who will be 33 next season - isn’t very encouraging. Another rumour going round is that Nikolai Topor-Stanley will join the club, hopefully not as a left-back as he looks more comfortable in the centre of defence.
Luckily there is a positive to come out of the club, which is the appointment of former Rangers legend Ian Ferguson as our inaugural coach. Every football fan in North Queensland breathed a sigh of relief when it was revealed Graham Arnold was out of the running.
One player North Queensland is in with a chance for is 32-year-old Paul Henderson who currently plays for Leicester City in England. Henderson is definitely a good goalkeeper by A-League standards so if North Queensland can eventually sign him then it may kick-start what’s been a frustrating transfer period so far for Ian Ferguson. For the sake of us North Queensland supporters, and the A-League as a whole, let’s hope it does.
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North Queensland have announced the signing of their first ever player in Robbie Middleby, probably just as a squad player although he will prove an experienced guide for the younger players.
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Another player believed to have signed is Freddy Agius who was expected to be snapped up by an A-League club after the 2004 Olympics but nothing eventuated and has been unheard of since.
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Stewart Petrie has been announced as Ian Ferguson’s assistant after spending over a year coaching at Ross County in Scotland.
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Don Matheson has been given permission to talk to Jade North who has all but ended hopes of playing overseas and will consider any offer North Queensland make.
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The press conference that was set to reveal the clubs colours and logo has officially been put back until Thursday next week.
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For any North Queensland supporters who don’t already know about it you can find the supporters' forum at http://forums.northqldfc.com.au/
Jake is our youngest but keenest blogger.
