Our interest in finals football is officially over, yet NQ Fury are in the most important month of their existence to date. For those who have lived under a rock for the past few months, January is the final chance for the club to cobble together $1.5 million to ensure the club's survival for next season.
It would be easy, as a Fury fan, to go on a rant about the past month. We've given as good as we've gotten in our run of games, yet we have ended this round of games at the foot of the table. Some referee decisions haven't gone our way, some chances haven't gone in when otherwise they might, but that's what football is about. You win some and you lose some.
Of course, everything on the pitch is overshadowed by what's happening off the pitch. I'm not worried about Rabieh Krayem's recent admission that there is $0 in the bank for survival; business deals take time to negotiate and lock away, and I have full confidence in the NQFC administration to secure the money.
So, what next for the club's passionate fans? We have genuinely little control over what happens off the pitch, besides trying to ensure crowd numbers are good. Of course this is hard to do when the club has no guaranteed future and lies at the foot of the table. Catch 22 there.
Our fans remain some of the best in the league. We had over 5000 in horrendous conditions last week against Wellington, yet some other A-League fans felt the need to attack the club for having no support base. Then we played Melbourne Heart on Sunday afternoon, the day before a public holiday, and they barely scraped 6000 - so I'm not so worried about our home crowds. The number we had travelling as well was fantastic and they were in good voice throughout the game.
My wife was lucky enough to attend and told me a great story about a family of five, formerly of Townsville, driving to AAMI Park all the way from Wodonga to watch their team play - another example of the fantastic supporters this club have.
On the pitch it's obvious goals are our problem, and the club's predicament is obviously sapping the players of energy and confidence. Despite the problems we remain competitive and keep every game interesting, and the fans need to make sure they keep supporting the boys.
With that said, it's a strange feeling to be a Fury fan right now. All we're left cheering for is the club's future: goals, performances, referee decisions, they're all more or less irrelevant to us right now.
So roll on 31 January, and a huge kudos to Rabieh Krayem, Robbie Middleby and the club's administration for the work they're doing to get the $1.5m together.
To our southern brothers and sisters, we appreciate and welcome your support. Please keep it coming.
FORZA FURY!
