"We see great value in talking to him and I've met him a couple of times," North Queensland bid boss Don Matheson told au.fourfourtwo.com today.

It's understood the former AIS and Socceroo staff coach could be taken on in a consultancy role working with the club's technical director Blair Burke. Smith was assistant to Graham Arnold at the Olympics this month.

"I guess what we want to do is formalize the licence first and then we can look at these types of appointments," said Matheson.

The club is set to be based at Townsville's Dairy Farmers Stadium. And as Matheson puts it, "we'll be a people's team. Less about buying players and more about developing them."

A decision will be revealed today by FFA regarding North Queensland's fate.

In the meantime, it's also been confirmed that both Michael Thwaite and Wayne Shroj, both Queenslanders, are also on NQ FC's radar.

"Queenslanders are probably going to play with their hearts on their sleeves more so we'd see benefit in talking to those guys," added Matheson.

Shroj, who's spent a number of years in Romania, has been linked with Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory while Thwaite is currently on a one year loan deal at Melbourne Victory from Norway's SK Brann.

Other players tipped to be targeted include Perth Glory's bench keeper Tando Velaphi and rising star at VPL club South Melbourne, striker Hamlet Armenian.

NQ FC recently went to market to gauge interest in season ticket sales and, according to Matheson, over 7000 pledges were made.

"And even if we just reach half of that, we're stronger already than a few A-League clubs," he said.

"It's a hardened Rugby League city but pound for pound, Townsville is as good a sporting city in this country. They prove it over and over again.

"The Cowboys are not having a great season but they're still pulling 17-20,000 fans."