Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Brisbane Strikers FC

Brisbane Strikers are planning for a 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaign without star striker Matt Thurtell, who has signed with Bentleigh Greens.

Thurtell, 21, this week became the latest Queensland player to join the Westfield FFA Cup semi-finalists, who compete in PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria’s top division.

He will be joined PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Most Valuable Player Chris Lucas at the club as well as Palm Beach SC midfielder Troy Ruthven.

Thurtell said he felt it was time for a change after scoring 113 goals for Strikers in 97 games since joining the club as a 17-year-old in 2010 when the club competed in the Queensland State League.

“I needed a new challenge.  I’ve been at the Strikers for five years and enjoyed my time every single season and I’ve been through some ups and downs – mostly ups, with the only down being my knee injury,” Thurtell explained.

“But I just thought it was time for me to have a change of scenery.  I’m very, very comfortable at the Strikers and it’s well and truly in my comfort zone.  I think it was time for me to get out of my comfort zone a little bit and just try something new.”

Thurtell conceded that his departure from Strikers will be emotional.

“It’s sad, you know?” Thurtell said.  “I’ve still been going to training and have been into the club and seen the girls in the clubhouse, and it’s a sad time – I’m leaving a lot of good friendships and really good people”.

Strikers Chairman Bruce Atterton-Evans wished Thurtell well in the next stage of his career.

“The Strikers’ Board would like to place on record our appreciation of Matthew’s contribution to the progress of the Strikers during his five years with the club,” Atterton-Evans said.

“We say goodbye to him with sadness in losing such a quality footballer, but also with happiness in that he is continuing to pursue his ambition to play at the best standard available to him.”

“The Board wish him all the very best and will always support him one hundred percent. Hopefully we might even see him back at Perry Park one day as we continue our own quest to play at the very best level/”

Striker coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said he will look to the club’s youth ranks as he seeks to replace the player known affectionately as ‘Turtle’ at the top of the formation next year.

“We should not forget that ‘Turtle’ was only 17 when he was given a chance in the starting eleven, replacing an injured proven goal scorer in Gareth Musson.  He never looked back”, A’Herne-Evans said.

“I’d love to have had Thurtell in my squad next season – what NPL coach wouldn’t?  But life goes on.”

“For the present, I just want to recognise the tremendous contribution Matt made to this club over the last five seasons and wish him every success down south,” A’herne-Evans concluded.