FANS FLOCK TO CAIRNS FC CLASH

THE spine-tingling atmosphere of Cairns FC’s Round 1 NPL encounter has directors, coaches and players hailing the new venture an early success.

While the home side went down 3-1 in their opening NPL match against Gold Coast United on Saturday night, the scene of most of the 1378 fans staying well beyond the final whistle said it all for Cairns FC director Shaun Donaldson.

“Certainly for the club it was a success off the pitch,” he said. “There were lots of families here, lots of people enjoying the night. No one left. Everyone was still here at full-time and clapped the boys off after a 3-1 loss, which says a lot.

“I think as a club it was a success. We had four kids from the region playing their first NPL game and they played really well, so who knows, maybe we will win the competition this year, but we’re certainly going in the right direction where we’re definitely not going to finish on the bottom.

“We had hoped for this ... but you never know who’s going to be here until kick-off.”

Cairns FC defender Shaun Owens, who was one of his side’s best in his first NPL start in 12 months, said the support was “excellent”.

“Walking out, it sent a bit of a chill,” he said. “After the game was fantastic. You had kids call your name to sign a ball for them and give them a high five, ask you about the game and it was really good to have that engagement.”

Owens said while the result was not what the team wanted, he enjoyed being back out on the park.

“I love the feeling of being on the pitch. It’s fantastic. It’s what you work so hard for all week,” he said.