North Queensland Fury Head Coach Ian Ferguson has handed Marquee player Robbie Fowler the responsibility of leading the team during the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Season and has called on defender Robbie Middleby to back him up.
“It was a very tough decision because there are so many players in this team that show leadership qualities,” Ferguson said.
“Fowler and Middleby really stand out the way the other boys relate to them on and off the pitch – that’s important.”
“There were a number of players who were in my thoughts but I had a chat to Robbie and asked him about the captaincy and I was pleased with what he thought he could offer above being the Fury’s Marquee player.”
“Robbie Middleby was another who I’ve thought about as captain or vice-captain from the start and he’s also given me a commitment to be the one the players can go to with anything they need to discuss.”
Fowler said he was surprised and honoured.
“It wasn’t something I came here expecting to have but it’s a great honour,” Fowler said
“Brand new team, brand new manager so to be named as a captain is a great honour and a great achievement.
“I’ve played football for a living for a long time now and it’s something I love doing and as far as I’m concerned there’s no pressure on me or any of our players we’re here to enjoy the football and do as well as we can.”
“I can be vocal in the dressing shed and anything I can give to the younger players or even the more experienced players I will.”
Middleby said being given the club vice-captain’s role was a career highlight.
“It’s absolute honour especially with the group of players we’ve got here,” Middleby said.
“The club’s got a massive future and to be a part of it in the first year and to be in a leadership role is something I’ll look back on and really think of as a career highlight.”
“Newcastle was my home town and I was captain when I played there but we’ve adopted Townsvile as our home - I love living here and it feels like being a home town captain again.”
http://www.northqueenslandfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=28583 Captain Robbie eh, lets hope he's gets some silverware come the end of season (if not him then Perth Glory).