North Queensland Fury owner Don Matheson enjoyed great recognition at this week's 'Leaders in Football' conference at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.
Matheson, who counts on Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler as his marquee player and nine-in-a-row Rangers legend Ian Ferguson as head coach, fielded great interest from fellow delegates and media alike.
Matheson told tribalfootball.com: "While I am Australian and come from rugby background I have been travelling to UK for decades. My wife is from Yorkshire and we get across to see family often. I know how big football is here and how big the name of Robbie Fowler is.
"The people here are fascinated to understand why Robbie is doing so well after a lean few years in English Championship.
"Well all I can say is Robbie is enjoying his time in Townsville, his family are settled and his team mates love Robbie."
Matheson warmed up for the conference by taking in the Old Firm derby on Sunday in Glasgow and added: "But special mention must go to our head coach Ian Ferguson and his entire staff for the way they have managed to get up for all of our league games so far. It takes a big coach to manage a big player and after having been up to watch Fergie's old club on Sunday, by walking around the trophy room and seeing what a legend Fergie was at Glasgow Rangers makes me proud that my modest club has been able to attract such football stars to North Queensland."
On the subject of would Matheson entertain selling Fowler to the many interested clubs in UK and MLS, he just shook his head and muttered "Fowler is irreplaceable".
