So I thought it will be interesting if we can contribute some ideas for the incoming CEO in 2012 since Mr Winston Lee is stepping down.
1.) Change the team names
Am I only the only one who think that the current names of Balestier Khalsa and Hougang United just don't pique the interest of the fans? I mean c'mon, how many of the fans are geographically biased in Singapore? We move around the country so much, we don't give a damn whether its Woodlands or Geylang... if the team I love is playing in Bedok and I stay in West Coast, I will drive that "long'" journey down to see them play... well then again, this example is pushing it a little too far.
My point here is... why not go for superfluos names that will make people sit up and take notice? Like Tokgong City, Gelek King FC, Kampongcastle, Ah Beng Ga Ga Chiong United.
C'mon, a little Singlish wouldn't hurt. It is our identity.
2.) Bring in local sponsors
For all the footballing fanfare, I am wondering why our local sponsors have not been tapped on in this huge market. If the league is marketed in an interesting manner, many sponsors will love to jump on the publicity bandwagon and have their logo and pictures plastered on our proud team jerseys.
Imagine the towkays from Breadtalk, Charles and Keith, Pastamania, Best Denki, Sheng Shiong, Han's, Jackson's Hokkien Mee, Blanco Court Kway Chap, Adam Road Prawn Mee, Ayer Rajah Indian Rojak, Al-Ameen Roti John....
That is a crap load of sponsorship money and a whole lot of delicious and practical freebies on matchday !!
3.) Kacang Putih and watery coke
Whatever happened to our Kacang Putih man and the coke that pretty much tastes like plain water (because the ice added is more than the coke put in)?
Ok, small point but still important anyway.
4.) Ownership of football teams
I love colorful football owners. Look at the Russian czar Roman Abramovich sitting atop of London's Chelsea, the Egyptian pharoah Al Fayed at Fulham and recently the Malaysian nutty businessman Tony Fernandes at QPR... they add color and character to the team.
Politically charged perhaps, but why not get a certain political party to take ownership of the team in their GRC? Perhaps the opposition leaders will never get a chance to whip the incumbent party at the polls, but could possibly hand out a thrashing on the football pitch... that will drive most Singaporeans delirious already.
5.) Change the mascots
Again, am I the only one who find animals as our team mascots extremely BORING ?!?! We don't need a rhinocerous or a bull to show the team's brand of football... we need attractive and attention grabbing mascots !!
May I suggest the following...
- Michelle Chong in any of her The Noose roles either as Babarella, the Chinese PRC or Leticia the maid. She can represent 3 teams if she likes.
- Gurmit Singh as Phua Chu Kang (he can represent any team from Yio Chu Kang or Choa Chu Kang)
- Fiona Xie as the irresistable genie
- Ris Low as herself, the proud Miss Singapore with her red bigini and zebra prince
- Patrick Kinghorn (with "Dracula" teeth as his props)
6.) Recruit famous coaches that the fans identify with.
Needless to say, the following names deserve to be full fledged coaches of S League teams:
1.) Fandi Ahmad, Sundramoorthy, Abbas Saad (need I say more?)
2.) Michael Vana (if we can find him...)
3.) Shebby Singh (yes John, absoutely John....) - we shall see if he is as good as he critiques
4.) Alexander Duric (at 41 and still Singapore's only good goalscorer, so he is a player manager obviously...)
5.) Alex Ferguson (cos he is as famous as it gets...)
7.) Hire me as the new marketing head.
Yours sincerely,
Fisheye
