Fowler future in doubt after FFA save Fury

April 2 – The future of former England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler (pictured) is in doubt after Football Federation Australia (FFA) rescued financially-stricken A-League club North Queensland Fury.

Fowler, the club’s star signing, has been told that he will have to take a massive pay-cut if he is to stay after the FFA agreed to help Fury stop going out of business.

The FFA Board, determined to ensure it does not lose a first-year club while it bids to host the World Cup, decided to make up the shortfall after the North Queensland business community failed to raise $2.5 million (£1.5 million)/$2.2 million) required to keep it in the competition.

Don Matheson, the club’s owner, thrilled the cash-strapped club will survive after he could not afford to continue to bankroll it, said it would be “an absolute tragedy” if Fowler was allowed to leave.

Matheson said: ”You can’t put a figure on Robbie’s commitment to this club and the character he has shown.

“It would be an absolute tragedy if he was not here next season.

“All I can do is recommend [to the FFA] that he should be here.

“He’s not just a legend of the game but he’s a great character and leader and you can’t measure the importance of his personality in the team and the impact he has on the young players.

“To me, I think it’s essential that we make a great effort to keep him.’

Fury, who are based in Townsville, were not disgraced in their debut season.

After a slow start, they were competitive and also drew solid crowds of 8,000-plus, on average, better than fellow Queensland clubs Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United.

The FFA was impressed with the support from the local North Queensland community and expect more sponsorship and financial support to roll in now the club’s future has been guaranteed.

Ben Buckley, the chief executive of the FFA, said: ”There has been a tremendous amount of commitment and a significant level of financial support generated from people and businesses in the area but there is still more work to be done.

“The job is far from finished and we will continue to talk to potential investors and sponsors to make sure North Queensland Fury is a viable proposition in the long term.”