For some Cowboys supporters, watching every game, buying all of the Cowboys gear and cheering on their team at every opportunity is the best way to lend their support to the Cowboy.
Others take showing support one step further. For Mick and Rhonda Coulson this support means not only being foundation members of the Cowboys Leagues Club, season ticket holders and members of the Supporters Team. In their garage they have an ultimate display of support.
When Mick and Rhonda Coulson drive down the street in their ute they always attract a second glance.
The ute is the ultimate vehicle for a diehard Cowboys supporter. Painted in the Cowboys colours it also sports Cowboys logos on the bonnet and tailgate and upholstery inside.
“Everywhere we go the kids yell out C’mon the Cowboys,” Mick said.
The ute started out simply as a way to get to and from the dump for the Coulsons, but they admit they got a little carried away after deciding to paint the vehicle in the Cowboys colours.
“I needed a ute to go to the dump and I picked up this ute in this horrible looking yellow colour” Mick said.
“I bought it in 1994. It wasn’t registered and we had to get a roadworthy certificate and to fix the suspension.
During the inaugural season in 1995 when the Coulsons wanted to do something more to support the Cowboys club they decided doing up the car was the perfect option.
The transformation from dump truck to Cowboys car was a gradual one.
First they painted the ute in the Cowboys colours, slowly added the logos and then the upholstery on the inside, which also includes Cowboys logos.
The Coulson’s have been strong supporters of the Cowboys from the beginning, purchasing two of the first Cowboys jerseys and attending most functions help by the club.
“Cowboys are the best thing that has happened for North Queensland,” Mick said.
Spoken like a true supporter.
This article first appeared in issue 2 of the 1995 'Cowboys Round Up' magazine.
Part 1: From the vault: Cane farming Cowboy
Part 2: From the vault: Working Cowboys
Part 3: From the vault: Looming Loomans
Part 4: From the vault: Soaking up the sun
