Mackay is known primarily as a rugby league town that has produced NRL players such as Daly Cherry-Evans, Dane Gagai, Josh Hoffman and Wendell Sailor. But Smith's club want to help change that perception.

"It is traditionally a rugby league town, but it’s just a sporting town," he said.

"Plenty of good athletes have come out of Mackay in running and athletics like Kathy Freeman, swimming in Geoff Huegill, there’s sort of being every sport has had some strong representation, with the exception of football to be fair.

"Maybe it didn’t have the proper pathway when it was required, so now hopefully we can see someone progress through with Magpies Crusaders."

The NPL Queensland outfit are hoping to draw a crowd of more than 1000 this month to their home ground Sologinkin for their Cup tie.

"Last year we averaged crowds of around 800," Smith said.

"We’re looking for that plus, we’re expecting somewhere in excess of 1000. It’s a mid-week game so it’s always hard to predict. But I’m confident the local community will turn out and support us.

"These boys want to test themselves. This is the next level again. We’re excited to bring football back to Mackay. This round of 32 there’s never been a fixture in Mackay, so I’m pretty confident we’ll get a pretty good crowd."