October 4, 2004
You could call him an optimistic fool
or a person throwing his money down the drain but even his most bitter critics
will admit Tampines Rovers would not survive without their charismatic chairman
In front of a crowd of 17000, Tampines
Rover romped Home United 4-1 in extra-time & completed the Double.
The prize money for Tampines Rovers
was $100000 but he had already spent more than $65000 of his own money to buy
13000 tickets at $5 each.
Why did Teo do that?
This was to ensure there would be a
sizeable crowd at the National Stadium which can seat 55000. Teo had convinced
FAS & S-league to switch the match from the original venue – Jalan Besar
Stadium – which could only seats 6000 fans with a guaranteed 10000fans for a
start.
But Teo will not use the prize money
to recoup what he spent in the final. Instead it will be distributed among the
players & team. Also for the S-league title prize money of $120000, the
club will keep only 20% while the rest go to the team.
No wonder Teo is known as the
Godfather by all connected with the Stags.
Teo said they had to fulfill their
part in drawing in fans after getting the venue changed to Kallang as it is
about putting his money where his mouth is.
This sum up Teo with
him not seeing everything in dollars & cents & not a talker but a
‘doer’.
For chairman Teo it was all worth it
as hugging his sweaty players on the field, he took turns holding both trophies
before saying this is a dream come true.