Far North QLD has produced six Socceroos over the last 25 years, most recently Ben Halloran, Shane Stefanutto and Michael Thwaite.

In December last year Cairns hosted an A-League fixture between Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix which drew a crowd of more than 5,000 people.

And while Brisbane is considered by some to be the more logical choice for an expansion team, Srhoj said that Cairns would also be an ideal location for an A-League side.

“There are some very passionate people up here that love the sport and would do anything to try and make it a success,” he said. “The region has produced a handful of quality players and a lot of them have played for the Socceroos, a lot of them have been some of the best players in the national competition.

“The talent is definitely here and there are probably another handful of kids that have missed the boat. The issue we face is trying to be recognised. It would give our kids the opportunity and the more we can give them better access you never know what can happen.”

Speaking on the World of Football podcast, Miron Bleiberg, former coach of Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United, said where North Queensland Fury was situated was incorrect.

“It was located in the wrong place, because Cairns is the place where people follow football not Townsville,” he said.

Srhoj has been coach of the Bulls Premier League team for the past seven years and said Cairns can learn from the Fury experience.

“Most definitely, 100 %,” he said. “It’s definitely an ambition and a goal that the region should have. There are definitely a few boxes that need to be ticked that can be learnt from the Fury, but there is no reason to think why the region couldn’t support a successful A-League franchise.

“First and foremost, any side that is developed needs to look at bringing together the better minds of the football community and try and build a community football club. One that feels part of the community and feels part of the local clubs.”

Srhoj also believes that Cairns shouldn’t be overlooked because of what happened with North Queensland’s previous A-League involvement.

 “When you are looking at growth, when you are looking at a National League as far as image, as far as a pathway they need to take some risks,” he said. “I guess they (FFA) have taken some risks in a couple of areas and they haven’t worked out but that shouldn’t be held against any other region that is willing to give it a go.

“The A-League was fantastic for the region, it’s something that football up here needed, to give it a boost to give it a kick. It would only enhance some dreams and ambitions of the young kids coming through.”