Ferguson and several players including inaugural marquee signing Robbie Fowler were all shown the door when Matheson, who was also the club's chairman, withdrew his financial backing.

That led to the establishment of the FFA-owned North Queensland Fury Football Club Pty Ltd, which replaced the North Queensland Football Club Pty Ltd - but the fallout saw the contracts of Fowler and five other players, including James Robinson and Jacob Timpano, terminated.

That was despite the FFA having promised all player contracts would be honoured if Fury survived Matheson's departure, and as a result Fowler, who has since moved to Perth Glory, has launched legal action against his former club.

And Ferguson, who has also moved to the Western Australian capital as an assistant coach under Dave Mitchell at Perth Glory, echoed Fowler's sentiments in saying he was 'disgusted' by Matheson's behaviour and that Fraser's was 'disgraceful'.

"The only hard feelings - it's nothing to do with the players or the coaching staff - the only hard feelings I've got was the manner we were treated, my wife and my family and certain players," Ferguson said on the eve of the 2010-11 season.

"I felt a little bit disgusted by Don Matheson, who was the owner at the time. He never even had the guts to give us a call or let us know what was going on.

"And then you had Archie Fraser who was CEO at FFA at the time, (he) was nothing short of disgraceful as well in his manner."

Ferguson was reluctant to continue discussing the matter as he confirmed that he was also hoping for a settlement following his departure from the club after just one season.

"Things at this moment are hopefully going to get sorted, (it's with my) legal people at this moment," he added. "Hopefully we can try to get it sorted and move on.

"But as I said it was disgusting the way we were treated and that sticks in my throat a little bit."

On a more positive note, Ferguson has nothing but good things to say about Mitchell and his new club.

"I've enjoyed it," Ferguson said. "Dave (Mitchell) obviously got wind of what was happening up in Townsville.

"He came to me after I was told to go seek new employment and my contract was null and void, don't stay with a sinking ship, that was the sort of stuff that I got.

"Dave then came on and asked me if there was any truth in it and I told him there was and then we just got the ball rolling from there. I was delighted to come here.

"It's such a big club, it's got ambition, got direction, got structure, and we've got good people heading the club."