September 29,
2004
Advantage MCS — a locally-based sports
marketing & management company that come under the renowned Football
Management Marketing International (FMMI) — said they have struck a deal to
turn around beleaguered S-League side Tanjong Pagar United.
In the stable of their parent company
are European football giants Roma, Inter Milan & Chelsea
Over the next 3 years, Advantage will
oversee the club's marketing initiatives, sponsorship programmes
& commercial entities. They will also provide strategic consultancy to the
management with the aim of enhancing the image & quality of the club.
Faced with debts of more than
$600,000, many felt that the Jaguars would follow in the footsteps of Gombak United, Jurong, Sembawang Rangers & Sengkang
Marine & pull out of the S-League next year.
But now, Advantage are determined to
use their expertise and contacts to resurrect the Queenstown club's glory days.
Advantage's business development
director Jeffrey Lim said this partnership is a crucial step as it shows their support
for local sports & soccer in particular with then wanting to play their
part & contribute. While not expecting Tanjong Pagar United to be another Man United, Real
He added they need to re-brand the
club to alter some misconceptions the public may have concerning Tanjong Pagar United & regain
their confidence. That will have to be done before sponsors can be convinced to
invest their money.
Already, the results are showing.
Following the partnership with
Advantage, Japanese electronics giant JVC pledged at least $150,000 to the
Jaguars for next season. The seven executive committee members on the Tanjong Pagar board have also
promised to raise at least $50,000 each.
A delighted Jaguars' chairman Matthew
Kang said they have been on a rough journey for many years but now, with the
support from Advantage, Tanjong Pagar
United can go full steam ahead to regain their glory days.
Kang also revealed that his management
have put together a structured repayment plan for the clearance of their debt within
3 to 5 years.
He said no matter what others say, Tanjong Pagar United are
determined to stay in the S-League for many more seasons to come now they have Advantage to show them how.