FOOTBALL Federation Australia has entered talks with business and community leaders in Townsville in a bid to help save embattled A-League club North Queensland Fury.

The club’s future is under threat after reportedly losing almost $5 million in its inaugural season and chairman Don Matheson having to scale back his investment in the club.

FFA officials arrived in Townsville yesterday to discuss the club’s future and appear to have embraced rescue plans by Matheson to convert the Fury from a single-ownership model to a "broader community" model.

That means local business investors will be offered the chance to buy into a broad-based ownership model, similar to ones employed by the Townsville Crocodiles and fellow A-League club Melbourne Victory.

"To be successful long-term there needs to be wider community and corporate support for North Queensland Fury and it can not be left to one person to drive the club," FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said yesterday.

"We are working through the processes with many interested parties and are confident there is strong support for football to remain in Townsville.

"I strongly encourage everyone in Townsville and North Queensland to get behind the team and show how much they want a successful football club in their region.

"There is a lot of goodwill around the Fury but like any large sporting venture it needs support and investment to remain viable as it builds on the progress it has made in such a short time."

It is feared if new investors cannot be secured the Fury could fold after just one season but Buckley said
the club remained an important part of the expansion plans of the A-League.

FFA also addressed the Fury’s players and staff yesterday and said the process of discussions with the club and potential investors would take "several weeks".

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