Capital job by Smurfs

Leprechauns get the gold, gnomes are good luck, but the Falcons will have their very own Smurfs to cheer them on in Wellington tomorrow.

The Nelson Falcons play their third round ASB Youth League match against Team Wellington, on a day that coincides with the Wellington Phoenix taking on Newcastle at the Cake Tin.

The feast of football will see an influx of fans from the top of the south. Family and friends of the team are headed over, JPL Sports Travel & Escorted Tours is taking a group and a pack of rouge man-children painted blue with funny white hats will make an appearance.

Local football players and fans Paul Evans and Damien Hobbs will lead a group of five mates across the straight to support the Falcons in their first away game, before taking in the Phoenix game later in the afternoon.

The pals who play for a sec- ond division side in Nelson have been impressed with the Falcons’ start this season, and wanted to make sure they had some support in the capital.

‘‘There has always been a gap in local football so it’s good to see the Falcons doing so well, and the Phoenix are playing at home, so it’s going to be a footy trip,’’ said Evans.

‘‘We decided we would go as Smurfs to support Nelson, with the Falcons playing in blue. My brother apparently just got Smurf hats made and some blue body paint, so that should be entertaining too.’’

In another gesture of goodwill, the group have scheduled a sausage sizzle at the Warehouse to help fundraise for the Falcons.

Emma Thompson, part of the Nelson Falcons organising committee said: ‘‘This is something they have organised off their own bat, which is really cool. The guys are rapt at the support they are getting from Nelson.’’