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Inaugural North Queensland Football Club coach Ian Ferguson has outlined a three-year plan he believes will see the fledgling club challenge for finals silverware and a spot in the Asian Champions League come 2012.
Ferguson, who touched down in Townsville, believes it will take time for NQFC to become a dominant force in the A-League, which they enter in 2009-10.
“The goals are very hard to predict, we have just got to get a competitive team on the park and hopefully we do well and then in the next season we will take a bigger step again,” Ferguson said.
“Hopefully by the third season we will be pushing for things (finals).
“The Mariners have done it I think it was after three years they are in Asia this year, we are pretty similar in stature, we are a country club we are not a big city club.
“It is just about getting the right players in, hungry players, determined players and we are trying to get them here.”
While Ferguson may have logged 350 appearances for Glasgow, including nine consecutive Scottish Premier League Championships, he cautioned fans not to expect such smooth sailing in Townsville.
“I think we have got to be realistic about this, every other team is four years ahead of us and we have got to go and find players as well which is pretty hard.”
“I think there is a shortage of players here for the A-League and with two new teams coming in it is going to be even harder.”
Ferguson will use players from Queensland’s state league and local talent as part of his squad for next season but will also lean on his many overseas contacts.
“There are a lot of players I don’t want to start getting out names just now,” he said.
“Don Matheson (NQFC chairman) knows a few players as well from the local leagues so it is just getting to know these kids and going and watching, seeing what they have got.
“If they are good enough, hopefully there is a pathway to come into the A-League.”
After spending a four year apprenticeship under Mariners coach Laurie McKenna, Ferguson believed he was ready to call the shots.
“That’s the main thing, making these decisions and when the tough decision needs to be made I will make them – it is simple as that,” he said.
“That is definitely the difference between being a head coach and an assistant. This time I have got the final say on things and what happens.”
NQFC chairman Don Matheson confirmed the club was expecting to announce the signings of three to four players in the coming days.
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