Fury are currently handicapped by an FFA ban preventing them from re-signing any of their players on contract extensions until the future of the Townsville side is guaranteed.

The club has already lost Isaka Cernak to Melbourne Victory and other rivals are also said to be circling more of their key players.

Now the Mariners have signed Pasfield after he impressed between the sticks over the past two years with Fury.

Pasfield told team-mates the news today and admitted: "It's going to be disappointing to leave. 

"I’ve met a lot of great people in this town and made a lot of good friends both on and off the field, so it’s going to be hard to leave the club and the region.

“Central Coast is a new challenge, a new step for me, and personally I feel it’s the right move for me at this point in my career. 

"Having said that, my job here is not done.  I want us to get into the top six, as do all the players and that’s what I’ll be focusing on for the remainder of the season."

He admitted the uncertainty about the club's future had played a part in his decision.

“At the end of the day, the FFA haven’t given Fury a clear indication about when the club will be able to re-sign players and people have to start making decisions about their future," he said.

"There are players in the team whose livelihoods are at stake, so they  need to do what is right for them and their own personal situation.

“I will be forever thankful to Fury for giving me the opportunity to play regular first-team football and without it, I may not be in the fortunate position I am today where other opportunities have presented themselves."

Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold worked with Pasfield during the Olyroos qualification campaign for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and says he’s delighted to have the ex Sydney FC and Newcastle shot-stopper. 

He added: “You need two good ‘keepers and unfortunately Jess Vanstrattan has had a knee reconstruction so we’re unsure about that side of it, but Justin gives us another good experienced ‘keeper.

"He’s a guy who has played two full years up there in North Queensland and has done exceptionally well.”