These Sengkang fans are showing just how support ought to be done. It might still be a novelty at Singapore football grounds, but their localised Manchester United cheers are a breath of fresh air.
They almost sound as though you are watching a game at Old Trafford in Manchester or Turf Moor in Burnley. But hey, it beats the other wacko stuff the other local S.League fan clubs are chruning up match day after match day and as they were singing last night at Choa Chu Kang Stadium "just like a library". (Parents, if you are reading this, no harm trying a night's revision with the kids at the stadium.)
And more. Drumming without a proper tune (Makes you wonder whether the drums instructor who teaches these drummers is not that good or the drummers are simply incompetent in this area.), cheering without a common purpose, no charisma... The list goes on and on. They are also part of the reason why people are not enjoying the match-day experience.
Hussain Razzak, as passionate as he was in supporting Woodlands Wellington through thick and thin, could never get others to cheer beyond his own fan group which at its peak numbered at around 200. He could not move the entire Woodlands stadium to follow in their over-the-top fan culture.
Thus having him to spearhead the so-called tussle in "SOS Woodlands" seems slightly dubious. The writer personally hopes this devout Wolverhampton Wanderers and Woodlands supporter can rise up higher and rally at least 5,000 Singaporeans to support this cause, but he has his doubts whether even 50 will be there for him and R. Vengadasalam this time.
Young Lions ardent fan and newly-appointed Home United fan club chairman Daniel Lau, 17, is renowned for his zealous support for all things Singapore football. Such passion has made him noticed by the local football fraternity and media alike.
During the recent Youth Olympic Games, such is the Nanyang Polytechnic student's strong faith in the national Under-15 side that he bought all the tickets from the first group game to the final day. He would sacrifice hours making posters and banners, such as one of "The Spirit of Sivalingam (the late coach who would have remained in charge were he still alive)".
Such passion should be lauded. But he could not inspire. Other Singaporeans from all walks of life flocked to the stadiums because of the Cubs' feats during the Games.
They knew how to sing, cheer and jeer when they needed to. Ask the Singaporean Liverpool fans who were willing to dish out the dough to sing their hearts out for the Reds in 2009 at Kallang. Even if Lau was not present, they would still have turned up in force to support Lightfoot, Koh, Hanafi, Dukhilan and company.
"We Want Goal!" has a lot more meaning than "Defence! Defence!" (The Young Lions fan club think they are capable of succeeding V. Sundramoorthy as co-coaches of the team and are cheering in the wrong sport.)
In fact, when things did not go their way, these fans could turn so abusive, they even cheesed off other fans present at the stands who just merely wanted to enjoy the game.
Thus, kudos to these United4United fans for managing what many other local fan clubs have utterly failed to do - keep the SAFFC fans silent for 75% of the game. Even SAFFC coach Richard Bok praised them for their attitude and passion in their cheers.
If these guys could do it, then perhaps the other fan clubs of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs and Newcastle United could adopt a local Singapore club for a short-term basis and show the original fan club members how supporting a football side, local or foreign, ought to be done. Provided if they are keen to do so.
Meanwhile, keep up the positive work, United4United fans! Thumbs up!
Gary, I think these clubs can show the way to cheer for other groups of so-called "supporters", but asking fans of other clubs to adopt an S.League club for the short term would mean the foreign club gets more long-term support whereas S.League stadiums have to be content with quiet Saturdays or Sundays when the other club is playing.
ReplyDeleteDaniel and Co. have a lot to do, but local football needs more fans dedicated to the local game than part-time cheer squads who look the other way when more attractive more expensive UEFA football clashes with the games.
I'm grateful for U4U and what they've done, and 10 people singing louder than a fan club section equipped with drums, cheerleaders and signs is a great effort. But their priority is still outside the S.League, and I don't begrudge them that.
They are breaking new ground and adding new life to the local cheering scene, but more of the same is not going to help until we can inspire the next generation to start up on their own.
Gonna add on to this at icedwater.com but I've got plenty else I should be writing... will see how it goes.
WOW, Thanks people for the Comments and feedbacks, we know these are the true fans of the SG Football scene. Sick of hearing just Kelongs, Kayuis and some stupid basketball cheers in a football game, thats why we are here.
ReplyDeleteAnd yah BTW, we provide FREE lessons for Cheers/Chants on all Manchester United Matches in no.32 Boat Quay (Manchester United Cafebar)and most of the Sengkang Punngol Matches.
Cheers people.