Singapore Whites' Kit Man
by Herman Phua
Exactly 10,884 kilometers separates the island of Singapore from the city of Leeds. Today, that's just a short 13-hour flight away. But 20 years ago, that seemed a world away to a 14-year old.
Still, that did not stop a young Leeds United fan, Chang Tou Yuen from taking that important first step to proudly show off his team's colours. The problem was that as a football fan in the 1970s, it was impossible to get the authentic kit because there just wasn't anywhere in Singapore to buy it from.
"I remember constantly thinking about how to get a Leeds Admiral kit but never finding an easy way to do so," says Tou Yuen, who began supporting United in 1977.
There was however one last option at the time - ordering the kit directly from the club in England.
But that came at a high price. On his weekly allowance of $5, Tou Yuen had to skip meals during school breaks to save the 20 pounds (more than $80 at the time) needed to buy his first official Leeds United kit. As he recalls, "Buying jerseys was a terribly expensive passion in those days as the cost was such an intimidating factor.'
However, Tou Yuen says getting his hands on that first Leeds kit was worth all the sacrifices he had to make. His first hard-earned kit was the 1981/82 RFW-sponsored one worn by Allan Clarke's team, which sadly was doomed for relegation to the English Second division.
His next purchases were the home and away Burton set worn by the team during Billy Bremner's reign.
After 20 years as a Whites fan, Tou Yuen now has a wardrobe of 13 different jerseys and about 20 other items of Leeds United clothing. And it's not just a collection, but more a tapestry of his memories of the club. "Every single jersey I have reminds me of a particular era of United's rich history," he says.
For example, the Burton kit brings back memories of the Bremner team that almost made the FA Cup Final in 1987. And Tony Yeboah and his explosive goals spring to Tou Yuen's mind when he looks at the Blue and Green effort of 1996 while the white Packard Bell kits are a reminder of the dull days associated with George Graham.
So which is his favorite kit?
"I like every single kit but if forced to pick a favorite, it would always have to be the latest home kit," says Tou Yuen. At the other end of his list is the Snow White high-collared Asics design of 1996. "The eggcup neckline is like you're being gripped in a constant headlock by Vinny Jones," he jokes.
To Tou Yuen, putting on a Leeds shirt is more than just a fashion statement. "It means being part of a membership of supporters who have supported Leeds through thick and thin over a long and proud tradition," he says.
That's why he has no intention to stop adding to his collection. Thankfully, it has become a lot more affordable since he began working, which is also good news for his young son. Tou Yuen is already nurturing young Jordan as the next generation of Leeds fans. "I'm
prepared to shell out my hard-earned cash to outfit him with the latest Nike fare."
And Tou Yuen's expertise in all cloth white is being put to good use by LUSCS. His role as Promotions Officer in the Executive Committee means he's also in charge of arranging for the local supporters club's merchandise. In the past few weeks, he has been busy helping members get the team's latest shirts, and preparing the goodies for the supporters club membership pack.
There's no doubt that Tou Yuen truly deserves to be called the Singapore Whites' Kit Man.
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