Post by England 3 Lions on Aug 11, 2009 23:49:32 GMT 10
We won't let A-League down: Fury
Ray Gatt | August 11, 2009
Source: The Australian
NORTH Queensland Fury boss Don Matheson remains adamant the competition new boys will not let the A-league down and is here to stay despite expressing disappointment with the small crowd for the club's opening game of the season.
A modest 8897 went through the gates at Dairy Farmers Stadium for Saturday night's 3-2 loss to Sydney FC, raising concern in some quarters about the club's future.
Given it was a night that featured marquee signing, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, Fury's first appearance in the A-league and Sydney FC, one of the glamour clubs of the competition, the figure was well down on pre-match expectations of a 12,000-plus crowd.
However, Matheson, the man instrumental in the Fury's place in the A-League, is upbeat and confident the club will grow as the season progresses.
He is supported by Football Federation Australia. A-League head of operations, Archie Fraser, insists both parties are in "for the long haul".
"I was very happy with the way things turned out on Saturday," Matheson said yesterday. "Of course, we would have liked to have won the game, but that's football.
"The big thing is that the side showed that it has a terrific attitude and a never-say-die character that the fans will warm to and appreciate.
"The boys were a bit star struck in the first 20 minutes and that hurt us, but once they settled down they were terrific." Matheson, however, admitted he was "very disappointed" with the attendance.
"In terms of atmosphere, those who were there made a hell of a lot of noise. They almost lifted the roof off, so that was great," Matheson said. "But we had hoped for more.
"Still, when you put it in perspective, we didn't do that bad. I think the (Central Coast) Mariners got 5900 in their first (home) game in the A-League in season one."
While refusing to make excuses, Matheson conceded there were some factors that worked against the club, some of their own doing.
"Maybe we could have been a bit more proactive in the community, but that is something we will work hard on," he said.
"The other factor is that we are still fighting for the same coin (with the North Queensland rugby league team).
"There is still a lag over with the rugby league, but that will sort itself out. We also had the V8s up here recently and given the financial climate, it can be tough for families to fork out so much money in a short period of time.
"I think there might have also been a 'we'll wait and see' attitude from some of the people."
Matheson also admitted the club, despite having a good deal with Dairy Farmers Stadium, will take a financial beating if the crowds don't improve.
"We need to get around 12,000 just to break even," he said.
"But I am confident we will reach that average. I think the fact the side did so well and wasn't the easybeat some had predicted will win over the fans.
"They will see we have a great product and I know the people of Townsville will support us once they see that."
Fraser was delighted with the opening round of the new-look A-League and far from unhappy with the Townsville attendance.
While Fury and Newcastle Jets delivered lower than expected crowd figures, the opening round averaged 13,631 -- 300 more than last season's first round average. However, it was still 823 down on season three, 1110 down on season two and 3920 down on the inaugural season.
"Generally, I think the competition got off to a great start this season," Fraser said. "There were plenty of goals, a lot of quality football and the key players -- Robbie Fowler, Jason Culina and John Aloisi -- all delivered.
"Our first round crowd average was up on last season and that is a real positive."
Fraser said he had no concerns about Fury and that he believes the people of Townsville will warm to the club.
Ray Gatt | August 11, 2009
Source: The Australian
NORTH Queensland Fury boss Don Matheson remains adamant the competition new boys will not let the A-league down and is here to stay despite expressing disappointment with the small crowd for the club's opening game of the season.
A modest 8897 went through the gates at Dairy Farmers Stadium for Saturday night's 3-2 loss to Sydney FC, raising concern in some quarters about the club's future.
Given it was a night that featured marquee signing, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, Fury's first appearance in the A-league and Sydney FC, one of the glamour clubs of the competition, the figure was well down on pre-match expectations of a 12,000-plus crowd.
However, Matheson, the man instrumental in the Fury's place in the A-League, is upbeat and confident the club will grow as the season progresses.
He is supported by Football Federation Australia. A-League head of operations, Archie Fraser, insists both parties are in "for the long haul".
"I was very happy with the way things turned out on Saturday," Matheson said yesterday. "Of course, we would have liked to have won the game, but that's football.
"The big thing is that the side showed that it has a terrific attitude and a never-say-die character that the fans will warm to and appreciate.
"The boys were a bit star struck in the first 20 minutes and that hurt us, but once they settled down they were terrific." Matheson, however, admitted he was "very disappointed" with the attendance.
"In terms of atmosphere, those who were there made a hell of a lot of noise. They almost lifted the roof off, so that was great," Matheson said. "But we had hoped for more.
"Still, when you put it in perspective, we didn't do that bad. I think the (Central Coast) Mariners got 5900 in their first (home) game in the A-League in season one."
While refusing to make excuses, Matheson conceded there were some factors that worked against the club, some of their own doing.
"Maybe we could have been a bit more proactive in the community, but that is something we will work hard on," he said.
"The other factor is that we are still fighting for the same coin (with the North Queensland rugby league team).
"There is still a lag over with the rugby league, but that will sort itself out. We also had the V8s up here recently and given the financial climate, it can be tough for families to fork out so much money in a short period of time.
"I think there might have also been a 'we'll wait and see' attitude from some of the people."
Matheson also admitted the club, despite having a good deal with Dairy Farmers Stadium, will take a financial beating if the crowds don't improve.
"We need to get around 12,000 just to break even," he said.
"But I am confident we will reach that average. I think the fact the side did so well and wasn't the easybeat some had predicted will win over the fans.
"They will see we have a great product and I know the people of Townsville will support us once they see that."
Fraser was delighted with the opening round of the new-look A-League and far from unhappy with the Townsville attendance.
While Fury and Newcastle Jets delivered lower than expected crowd figures, the opening round averaged 13,631 -- 300 more than last season's first round average. However, it was still 823 down on season three, 1110 down on season two and 3920 down on the inaugural season.
"Generally, I think the competition got off to a great start this season," Fraser said. "There were plenty of goals, a lot of quality football and the key players -- Robbie Fowler, Jason Culina and John Aloisi -- all delivered.
"Our first round crowd average was up on last season and that is a real positive."
Fraser said he had no concerns about Fury and that he believes the people of Townsville will warm to the club.
