Global LFC Family: Singapore

Back in 2001 it became the first country in Asia to stage an LFC match and now it boasts not one, not two but three different supporters clubs. Henry Han, representing the local official LFC Supporters' Club, has his father to thank for introducing him to the world's greatest club. This is his story...

Name: Henry Han
Age: 37
Country: Singapore
Job: Marine, oil & gas executive

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

My dad is a massive fan and his passion rubbed off on me back in the late 80s when I used to watch LFC playing on TV in the weekly Sunday soccer highlights show.

What's your earliest LFC memory?

I think that would be when I was 10, watching some of the games during the 1986-87 season. Back then my dad and I would bond with father-son time whilst watching the weekly soccer on the TV. I remember my dad would get very excited as the game drew nearer. He would incur the wrath of my mum for stopping her doing the housework so we could watch the soccer and I would get a break from my studies so that I would watch with him in the living room eating ice-creams. My dad used to tell me Kenny Dalglish was the best player and I should watch him as I played a bit of football in my neighbourhood alleys.

How did people in your country follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

If I remember correctly, back then there was no such thing as the internet so my dad would look out for bits and pieces of the news in the newspapers or BBC radio. Cable TV was available after 2000 and it became much easier for us fans to catch LFC games more and more. With that came the spontaneous forming of the various groups of LFC fans in their circle of friends.

Was it difficult to find out news or see the match?

In the late 80s we got a weekly roundup of English football in a TV show - The Big Match - and there were also some updates in the newspapers. Later on, as I became a teenager in the early 90s, I would continue to watch soccer with my dad on the TV at home. The weekend was generally spent on football for my dad and me. I remember when I was a teenager in my neighbourhood, the impromptu games that we had were always cut short as somebody would call the police to complain about the noise.

I went into the army in the late 90s after my studies and I would try to keep track of LFC news here and there. It was a bit tough as my work in the army was not exactly a day job.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

It would be Robbie Fowler. I guess back then, everybody wanted to score goals like him. I remember yelling like mad when he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal. Then there was his overhead kick that he did in one of the games. Everyone I knew spent the next season trying to recreate it.

What is your favourite LFC memory?

That would be in 2005 when we won Champions League. It was a crazy season but there signs were there when Steven Gerrard scored the third goal against Olympiacos, the wonder save against Juventus by young Scott Carson  and that goal against Chelsea by Luis Garcia.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

That's a tough one. I love King Kenny as he was the player-manager when I started to follow LFC more closely with my dad. I love Rafa too as he brought the Champions League trophy home to LFC. Considering we seemed to be blowing hot and cold each season, I honestly never thought I would get to see LFC win the European Cup.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

The 2008-09 season when we finished second. Losing out at the end was a bitter bill to swallow. I really thought we could win it.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

Yes, during the 10-11 season. My first visit was when LFC beat Napoli 3-1 in the Europa League with Gerrard's hat-trick. My second visit was few days later when we beat Chelsea at home with two goals from Torres.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

I was in Singapore, having left the army in early 2005 so I was able to follow all the games leading up to the final. It was a rollercoaster season from the play-off onwards and we had a bit of luck along the way. I was totally speechless when we were three goals down at half-time because the manner in which we conceded the goals, especially the first one, was really crazy.

I personally thought we were going to score at least two goals and bring the game closer and maybe - just maybe - we could get another chance.

The day before the final a few of us went down to an open-top double decker bus company to enquire how much it would cost if we wanted to hire the bus for half a day. I'm serious, we really did that!

Do Liverpool have a passionate fan base in Singapore?

Yes, there is a passionate and strong fan base in Singapore. This can be seen by fans wearing their LFC kits on a Friday leading up to the weekends and decorating their cars and houses with LFC items. Some even go to the extent of naming their kids after ex-players or something connected to LFC.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

It would be Manchester United.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

I go to Liverpoolfc.com, Liverpool Echo Online, Daily Mail Online and Daily Mirror Online.

Do you also support a local team?

I watch Hougang United FC in the local S-League.

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

I would like to meet King Kenny as he was the player-manager when I started supporting LFC with my dad.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

Being an LFC fan has presented me with a lot of pleasant surprises. I have been warmly welcomed in other countries when I have travelled overseas to work and fellow fans have made great efforts to guide me around when I've visited their countries. Fellow supporters will take me to their usual hang-outs where I love to experience the local lifestyle. You can never judge how big a fan someone is by the numbers of jerseys or items they own; you judge them by the way they treat you as a fellow fan.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

It's something I hold very close to my heart actually. The words 'You'll Never Walk Alone' are very intense to me as I found my wife through my love and support for Liverpool. As we move forward in our married life, supporting LFC and all things related to LFC will always be in our daily lives. We can't wait for the day when we share our love for Liverpool to our kids just as my dad has done to me. Supporting Liverpool is not just a passion to us. It's our way of life.

YNWA - ever.

Check out earlier interviews from our Global LFC Family series:

South Africa - Melissa Reddy>>
Thailand - Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot>>
Australia - Wayne Psaila>>
Mexico - Victor Alvarado>>
Indonesia - Andhika Sarwendha Suksmana>>
Nepal - Nischal Adhikari>>
Ghana - Aristo Dotse>>
India - Kaushal Goyal>>