AN All Stars game will be played in Townsville featuring some of the biggest names in Australian football to help bid farewell to retiring Fury’s retiring captain Ufuk Talay.
The match next Wednesday will involve former Socceroos and A-League stars against the current North Queensland Fury squad led by Talay - Fury’s former Galatasaray and Sydney FC star who announced his retirement last week.
Already confirmed in the All Stars XI are Clint Bolton (Melbourne Heart), Steve Corica (former Sydney FC), Wayne Shroj (currently Melbourne Heart), Mark Rudan (former Sydney FC), Craig Moore (Socceroo great), David Zdrilic (former Sydney FC), Sasa Petrovski (Newcastle Jets) and Andy Harper (former Sydney FC and Fox Sports Football analyst).
More are tipped to be confirmed in the coming days while joining the All Stars on the park will be Fury head coach Franz Straka – considered one of the best ever players for his nation the former Czechoslovakia and a star for his country at the 1990 World Cup.
Departing assistant coach Stuart McLaren and Fury football operations manager and former Sydney FC man Robbie Middleby will also lace up the boots. Fury have also invited several players from the NQ Razorbacks to play in this match.
The coaches of the two sides are set to be announced soon with two very big names in the mix for a spot in the dugout. Likewise organisers are hoping for a big name referee for the game.
With Fury having to move their final match of the A-League season to Skilled Park due to stadium damage caused by cyclone Yasi, supporters and corporate partners of Fury were unable to give Talay the send-off his 18-year professional career deserves nor see their team play one last time this season.
This match will also allow departing players such as Justin Pasfield to say goodbye to those who have supported him during his time at Fury.
The game also comes just 24 hours before an expected decision on the club's future with an FFA board meeting in Sydney said to go ahead on Thursday next week.
“We wanted this match to be a celebration of Queensland football and also of Ufuk Talay’s career, hence why we invited some of Queensland’s finest footballers and players who have shared the field with Ufuk over the years,” said Fury CEO Rabieh Krayam.
“I’ve been blown away by the response we’ve had from the Australian football fraternity, everyone has been only too willing to take-part or help out at such short notice and are happy to jump on a plane to Townsville next week.
“Many are also very keen to give North Queenslanders a boost after the region has been hit by floods and two cyclones since Christmas.”
He added: “Wednesday night’s match is the perfect opportunity for football fans throughout North Queensland to see some of Australia’s best players take on their own A-League team whilst raising funds for grassroots football throughout our region.”
Match Details
Ufuk Talay XI v All Stars XI
Wednesday 16 February, 2011
Tony Ireland Stadium, Riverway, Kirwan, Townsville
6pm kick-off, gates open at 5pm
Entry to the match is via a generous donation on-the-gate with all monies going to North Queensland Football
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