Flying The White Flag
by Herman Phua
The LUFC flag was hoisted high when members of the Leeds United Supporters Club Singapore hiked around the city state during a recent national sporting event.
All dressed up in team colours, the main aim was to raise the profile of Leeds United and the local supporters club in the Big Walk -- a big event that attracted close to 70,000 people to participate in the 10 km route march.
Held annually, the Big Walk is jointly organised by a local newspaper and a few of the country's sports bodies. Surplus proceeds from the event are returned to the community through donations to charity organisations.
"This was a great opportunity for us to rally to our club's theme song and go marching on together in our yellow, blue and white colours", says LUSCS vice-chairman Dave Sowden who organised the branch's participation.
Branch chairman Greg Phua adds that the Big Walk was also a good opportunity to publicise the supporters club.
"LUSCS is still fairly young compared to some of the other football supporters clubs here in Singapore and parading the LUFC flag at a national sporting event was a good way to get exposure for the branch," says Greg. "We're counting on more Leeds fans to come forward to support the branch."
Indeed, there are still many United fans in Singapore who have yet to contact the branch, or sign up as members. Although LUSCS received a flood of messages from fans claiming that they are happy and excited about the establishment of a supporters club, many of these same people have failed to sign up with the branch.
"In the end, it all boils down to how committed these fans are to Leeds," says Greg. He points out that there are frequent activities for branch members.
Match meets are held whenever United's games are telecast "live" to Singapore. These meets have lots of singing and cheering, with games and lucky draws organised during the half-time break. LUSCS has also held a couple of "Members' Nights", where food and drink are provided free so that members can focus on getting to know each other better.
For the more active members, the branch books a decent pitch for soccer kick-abouts on Sundays. However, these football sessions have been suspended until the upcoming World Cup tournament is over.
And by popular demand, LUSCS will be arranging match meets at its "home pub" for selected World Cup games, particularly those involving teams with Leeds players. The schedule of its World Cup meets, and more information about LUSCS, can be found in the branch's website at www.luscs.org.
This article first appeared in the Official Leeds United Football Club website on 29th May 2002. Check out our Photo Album Menufor more photos of LUSCS members at the Big Walk 2002.
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