NORTHERN Fury attacker Tristan Russell says his unexpected National Premier League debut on Sunday was the ultimate surprise.

An injury-hit Fury were missing targetman Robin Edwards and leading goalscorer Alex Read and their replacement, Fury under-18s player Methembe Mpofu, pulled a hamstring against Burdekin on Sunday afternoon.

Russell had already played in reserves and premier league in the Townsville Football competition before earning a very late call-up to sit on the bench for the state league team.

The teenager had no idea he would be required to keep his boots on for another game.

"As soon as I got taken off (the Townsville Football fixture), I found out but it wasn't known till then," Russell said.

The teen showed no sign of intimidation as he made his senior debut and had two chances to equalise in the final 10 minutes saved.

His second attempt, a right foot drive, pulled a good save out of the Brisbane City keeper and the Fury nearly scored from the resulting corner.

"The ball came across and I hit it," Russell said.

Fury coach Gareth Edds said Russell, whose under-18 team regularly trains with the senior side, had looked composed on the ball in his first taste of the competition.

"He did very well and that's a great experience for him and one he'll surely look to take forward and move on with," Edds said.

Russell said he had noticed the speed and the level increase in moving up to the National Premier League level and said he would love to experience some more.

"I think everyone hopes to eventually make it into the senior team," he said.

"We'll just see what happens."

First season ends with a 2-0 win away to Brisbane Strikers. Good to see a goal difference of +5.

Have to wonder what Central QLD brings to this league when they end on -67, conceding 109...

Edited by playmaker11: 18/8/2013 05:19:13 PM

First season ends with a 2-0 win away to Brisbane Strikers. Good to see a goal difference of +5.

Have to wonder what Central QLD brings to this league when they end on -67, conceding 109...

Edited by playmaker11: 18/8/2013 05:19:13 PM

A reply to Antony Stewarts article in the Townsville Bulletin


Dear “Stewie”,

Your attack on F Troop (17/08) was unfair. It presented a disproportionate and highly debatable response to events. F Troop is a strident supporter of the Northern Fury. We stand behind the families and volunteers who are the foundations of the club. We are an independent, informal affiliation of supporters who love football. We are concerned that you have misrepresented us, and a number of other issues.

The catalyst for your piece was two recent flare incidents. One occurred at a sparsely attended match, on a cold night 1200km from Townsville. The second occurred at Townsville’s Sports Reserve. Apparently, you were not present on either occasion, so let’s set a few things straight.

In a dark period for semi-professional football in NQ, when few people were interested, F Troop remained a strong supporter of football in Townsville. In recent years, while the media and most of the football community in Townsville were uninterested in the former Razorbacks and then the Fury, F Troop members traveled throughout QLD supporting these clubs. The group has invested finance, time and effort in making flags, banners, scarves and shirts, and attempted to stimulate greater interest. Despite all the negativity and reasons to walk away, some continue to support the growth of football in Townsville.

It’s deeply concerning that you appear to have claimed exclusive rights to the support of the Northern Fury and dictated how that support should be expressed, while implying the F Troop are a negative force. The F Troop have never been involved in a violent incident, our songs and chants rarely contain offensive language - no more so than what one might be subjected to on the “hill” at the Cowboys, or in any other adult environment - and the use of flares has been rare.

It is incorrect to state that families choked on flare smoke at Fury games, and were unable to see the match. This is a hysterical description of the flare incidents, which at most, after dispersing within 60 seconds had no physical consequences, and did not disrupt other fans or leave any permanent effect.

You implied that, because you twice went to England and attended a handful of matches, you are in a position to speak with authority on the subject of football supporter culture.

You are incorrect to imply that foul language is not common in English stands. You cite Liverpool as an example. Youtube contains hundreds of videos of Liverpool fans singing and chanting – much of it laced with profanity. While we are certainly not advocating profanity, we are refuting your claim that it is uncommon at adult football matches.

You are correct that flares are rare in England, but they do occur, and football is played in over 190 countries. Some of our members have spent years living and working in Europe and South America - playing, coaching and attending football on a weekly basis.

Flares are central to supporter culture in continental Europe, North Africa, Central and South America and parts of Asia and are used to create a visual spectacular and enhance the atmosphere.

Football in Australia has been developed, coached, supported and played by people from many nations. The vast majority of Australia’s greatest players and most successful clubs are strongly linked to non-English backgrounds. England is not the only source of inspiration for players and fans. So, no matter your position on flares, the fact remains they are a considerable part of supporter expression on a global scale.

You linked the use of flares to the disestablishment of the National Soccer League. You stated that flares were “one of the reasons” the NSL was disbanded. This is absolutely untrue and is an absurd misrepresentation of history. One of the contributors to this letter attended the NSL for fifteen years. Our knowledge of football in Australia is intimate. To this date, the NSL and some of its richly historical clubs produced Australia’s finest crop of international players. The NSL assisted the development of the game far more positively than is occasionally depicted by ill-informed commentators. Your incorrect assertion regarding flares only serves to falsify history and diminish the legacy of this period.

Football has suffered from poor administration in Townsville for decades – interspersed with admirable contributions from various individuals and families. Northern Fury is still in the early stages of development and many challenges lay between it and an A League rebirth. The Fury is in a delicate position and there are interesting, perhaps controversial, things occurring in relation to the administration of that football club. Perhaps your time, as a credible journalist, could be better spent pursuing these stories and canvassing the diverse views from players, coaches, administrators and volunteers by casting independent scrutiny over some of the club’s practices, as opposed to disproportionately targeting a minority and stoking hysteria based upon false information.

Regards - F Troop

Fergie back in Fury's corner

THE North Queensland Fury's inaugural A-League coach, Ian Ferguson, is back in the green and white.

After the shock resignation of Gareth Edds as the Northern Fury's National Premier League coach last week, it is understood Ferguson will arrive in Townsville today to finalise talks with the club to become his replacement.

The legendary player with Rangers in Scotland is expected to meet Fury chairman Rabieh Krayem. Ferguson would take on an all-encompassing role in a fulltime position that would see him oversee the Northern Fury's development from their grassroots academy right through to being head coach of the NPL team.

As was originally the long-term plan with Edds, Ferguson would coach the Fury's National Youth Competition team upon admission and then the A-League side as part of the club's bold vision to return to the national top flight.

Securing Ferguson would be a boost to the club's credibility in proving to Football Australia that they deserve reinstatement.

Krayem said yesterday he could not confirm whether he had been in talks with the nine-time Scotland international. Ferguson coached the Fury in their debut season in 2009-10, leading them to within two points of a finals position despite pre-season predictions that North Queensland would finish with the wooden spoon.

With the club's future hanging in the balance after that season, he took an assistant role at the Perth Glory for 2010-11.

By the next season Ferguson was in the top job at the Glory and led them to the grand final, where they controversially lost 2-1 to the Brisbane Roar.

Poor results the following season saw him "mutually terminated" from Perth in February.

Ferguson has a strong background in player development, playing a role in the creation of the Central Coast Mariner's respected players academy during his stint as an assistant coach at the NSW-based club.

The 46-year-old is considered one of the all-time great players for Scottish Premier League giants Rangers.

Ferguson played 336 games and scored 46 goals as he played a role in each season of their historic run of nine titles in a row, while he also won 10 Scottish League titles.

The Northern Fury recently finished their debut NPL season in a credible seventh, recording nine wins, five draws and eight losses with a youthful roster.

Not sure how I feel about this to be honest.

-PB

Not happy if i was a fury man. Any info on why Edds walked. I know he is very much into the development of younger players has he decided that is what he wants to concentrate on?

The bird with the word is certain members of management were sticking their nose in the day to day coaching of the team where they shouldn't be.

Wouldn't be surprised if Edds cracked the shits with them.

Massive loss for the club, Edds is a legend in this region, but if he left because of that reason then this club is in for dark days next season.

-PB

WoW wonder who on the management might do that just cant figger it out.

WoW wonder who on the management might do that just cant figger it out.

Smalley gone =d>

One down one to go.

-PB

I thought eddsy did a cracker of a job, here's to hoping he stays in the region to continue player development. Agree with everyone else pretty much, don't know what to make of fergie's return.

Believe he's got a gig @ Warriors.

-PB