Many people call me a nerd. Just look at my beautiful blog picture: glasses, reasonably dorky haircut, ears slightly too large for my head, goofy smile. This extends to how I like to watch my football irrespective of the level it's played at. I don't generally get too animated, and my singing is reserved strictly for the shower and the confines of my car.

Luckily, not all football fans are like me, and so this week I want to pay special tribute to NQ Fury's own special brand of football fan, the F-Troop.

The boys and girls in the F-Troop are, for want of a better term, simply sensational. Many critics have pointed out that our attendances at Dairy Farmers Stadium are well short of the figures we want to reach, and this is true (for now), but you wouldn't know it by being there.

The atmosphere is electric, and this is largely due to the efforts of the F-Troop to remain engaged with the game and fellow fans before, during, and after the match. Their singing and chants are generally tasteful and fun to listen to, though this assertion may be severely tested this Saturday with the visit of the blue Melbourne team (unfortunately minus Messrs Muscat and Kruse - their sportsmanship and good grace will be sadly missed in Townsville).

For me though, the true value of the F-Troop was revealed when a few of our intrepid fans travelled to AAMI Stadium two weeks ago for the match against the red Melbourne team.

Those who are geographically-challenged know that Melbourne is a long way away from Townsville, but the number who made the trip, and the noise they made, was phenomenal. They completely outsung and outcheered the Heart fans and were a credit to themselves and our club.


At a time when some in Australia are questioning the football culture in Townsville and North Queensland, the F-Troop have stepped up and given a great reason to keep us going in the competition.

Payne and Cernak choose Vietnam over DFS?!

Many Fury fans have been left a bit confused and outraged by Isaka Cernak and Chris Payne jetting off to Vietnam to play in some Olyroos friendlies; it's not hard to imagine why they're upset considering the two have been among our top players this season. Although we'll miss them for two weeks I think it's a positive thing, first for the guys themselves as it shows they're on the radar for representative honours, and second, it allows the likes of Panni Nikas, Jason Spagnuolo and Adam Casey - who we haven't seen much of yet in green this season - to step up and be counted.

Old McDonald and the call for more youngsters

The calm and measured performances of Brad McDonald at left back in the past couple of games have shown that we may have picked a real gem from the QSL.

Chris Grossman is an okay option back there but McDonald allies a nice left foot with an urge to get forward, and the useful fact that he's actually a defender. It'll be interesting to see if Franz sticks with him or recalls the fit-again Grossman, although I for one hope that McDonald is retained and given a chance to show what he has to offer.

On the subject of QSL players, with the state league season now over it'd be nice to see Fury round off its roster with a couple of signings from the local league, especially to plug gaps in defence and up front. Tyson Holmes, from QSL Premiers Sunshine Coast Fire, has been hotly tipped to join the club in previous months and looks a good prospect, while Brisbane Strikers and former Australian Schoolboys goalie Sebastian Usai has arrived to cover for the injured Matt Ham. I know that the Fury keeps its eyes on other QSL players as well so don't be surprised to see a few new arrivals, especially if we suffer any injuries.

Looking ahead

The last time we played Victory we defined ourselves as a never-say-die team that could match it with the big boys. The Fury lads will be keen to put their season back on track after underperforming against Adelaide and emerging with a desperately unlucky loss against Heart, and I can see us doing it, especially with influential duo Muscat and Kruse missing.

My tip is a 2-1 home victory with goals for Williams and Edds.

And the F-Troop to be outstanding yet again.

COME ON YOU FURY!