Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Northern Fury have announced they will play Hyundai A-League powerhouses Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix in friendly matches this September.

The announcement also included confirmation that Fury are seeking to forge close ties with City, with tentative plans for Fury’s juniors to travel to Melbourne next year for a series of matches.

City, who are owned by English Premier League superclub Manchester City, are also anticipated to provide coaching clinics to Fury juniors during their stay in Townsville.

Dates for the friendlies are yet to be finalised, however Fury fans are expected to welcome the post-season addition to their calendar with their club already out of the running for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series and the Westfield FFA Cup.

It’s anticipated that both clubs will bring their full squads to line-up against Fury's stable of local north Queensland talent as they enter the final stages of their pre-season preparations.

City's squad for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season includes Socceroos stars Aaron Mooy and Ivan Franjic, last season's Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner Bruno Fornaroli and former English Premier League and Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sørenson.

Phoenix also boast a number of stars on their books for next season including All Whites Kosta Barbarouses and Brazilian midfield maestro Gui Finkler.

The friendlies will be the first time Fury have lined up Hyundai A-League opposition since 2014’s Townsville Football Cup, which saw Fury host Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets.

Fury Chairman Rabieh Krayem said the matches are a continuation of his club’s aim of providing opportunities for local talent to be exposed to the Hyundai A-League.

“I think it’s important that we provide access to elite level football in our region,” Krayem explained.

“It’s always been our aim to give our players opportunities to be seen by A-League clubs and also watch A-League level football without having to travel to Brisbane.”

“We have fantastic facilities for training, fantastic weather and a great environement - it ticks all the boxes for the A-League clubs.”

“If clubs want to come here and work in partnership with us then they get the benefit out of it and our football community gets a benefit out of it too.”

Krayem added that one benefit is the potential for current Fury players to showcase their skills to the visiting teams coaches.

“You never know when players are given that opportunity where it might lead to - last time we did it we had Braedyn Crowley was picked up by Newcastle Jets.”

Details on the proposed partnership between Fury and City are yet to be confirmed, however Krayem said he is eager to see Fury’s junior teams travel to Melbourne and learn from one of the country’s biggest clubs.

“It’s about giving the football kids in the north an opportunity to experience things at an A-League level with access to facilities and their key people and also to play games against teams in that environment,” Krayem said.

It is understood that other interstate Hyundai A-League clubs are also planning to travel to Queensland as part of their pre-season preparations with potential further friendly matches against PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues clubs on the radar.