NORTH Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson will learn a lesson or two about the state's geography over the coming fortnight as he meets the region's soccer stakeholders ahead of the club's A-League debut next season.

The former Scotland international is heading to the Far North on February 10-11 to spend time with Mareeba-based Queensland State League side the FNQ Bulls before travelling to Cairns the following day.

Ferguson’s trip to the warmer half of the state will follow visits south in the preceding week to Mackay and Rockhampton, all of which is considered part of the Fury’s zone.

With countless new faces to see and hands to shake, Ferguson is enthusiastic about the journey awaiting him.

"I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a chance for me to get up there and meet the football coaches and the football teams," Ferguson said.

"I want to let the players know and show them that there is a pathway there to the A-League and that we will be having scouts at their games and anyone who is recommended to us, we’ll be having a look at.

"The support we’ve been getting from the community has been excellent. We’ve had a lot of people wanting to help us out."

With kick-off to the Fury’s debut A-League season less than 10 months away, Ferguson has been busy building a side. Thirteen players, mostly from interstate, are so far part of the club’s roster but Ferguson said the Fury’s biggest aim was to cultivate its own reserve of talent from the soccer fields of North Queensland.

"That’s the plan. We’re not a big city club. We’re more of a small town," he said.

"In the past players have had to go down south to make it but now they can stay up here.

"I would love to be able to develop local talent and get it on the park. Developing those pathways is a way to build a strong relationship with the local football community.

"That’s one of my biggest goals."

Another is landing ex-England international Robbie Fowler as the club’s marquee signing.

The former Liverpool striker visited Townsville last month to inspect the club’s set-up and, according to Ferguson, he was impressed with what he saw.

But Ferguson said he would not pressure Fowler into making a rushed decision about his playing future. "It’s a massive step for Robbie and his family. They’d be leaving behind parents and grandparents.

"I’m happy for him to make his decision in his own time.

"He was really impressed with the training facilities, with Dairy Farmers, the gymnasium and the other stuff with the football side of it on his visit.

"But most of all he liked the lifestyle and that was probably the biggest selling point."

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