Tanjong Pagar's proshop move at Clementi Stadium stalled SSC turn down S-League club's request to use VIP room at home ground

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SINGAPORE - It is no easy task for fans of Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League clubs to get their hands on replica kits worn by their heroes on the football pitch.

Over the years, many have approached the players from various clubs after full-time on the final day of the league season, in the hope of scoring the shirt off their favourite's back.

Tanjong Pagar United, in partnership with club apparel sponsors Thorb, had hoped to make club merchandise easily available while getting in touch with their fans, but they have been forced to put the project on the backburner.

Thorb and the Jaguars were looking to open a proshop at the Tanjong Pagar home of Clementi Stadium, but have so far failed to obtain approval from the facility's owners, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC).

Speaking to Today, Thorb managing director Kristian Thorbjornsen said: "This is a tie-up between Thorb and Tanjong Pagar United to put up a showroom to display club memorabilia and titles the club have won in the past, as well as a proshop of sorts where fans can buy Tanjong Pagar merchandise and Thorb merchandise."

While Tanjong Pagar officials claim that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) are in favour of their project, the problem lies in the specific room within the stadium the club are looking to rent from the SSC.

The VIP room was found to be ideal, being air-conditioned, with suitable size and structure, but the club said the SSC are unwilling to release the space.

"We were told that the room needs to be kept empty in case it is needed for other uses, for example as a rally venue for elections, or for sports days, where it can be used as a holding room for VIPs ," said Thorbjornsen.

While Thorb and Tanjong Pagar were willing to settle for the only other possible room within the stadium, the ticketing room, with a few alterations done, the SSC have yet to reply.

Said club manager Francis Lee: "We've asked SSC to install air-conditioning and change the gate at the ticket booth to a door instead and they've said they'd get back to us, but they haven't."

The club wrote to the SSC on July 6, after an SSC official visited the stadium to study the arrangements in June.

Responding to queries from Today, SSC's deputy director of leasing, marketing and business development, Vincent Chia, said: "The SSC is supportive of initiatives by S-League football clubs to nurture other meaningful revenue streams for their growth and development.

"We have and continue to work closely with Tanjong Pagar to help identify a suitable space within and around the Clementi Stadium to best suit the club's needs."

Thorbjornsen hopes there will be positive news soon. "We understand that it is difficult to justify letting us have the VIP room, but we have offered suggestions.

"What we've worked out with Tanjong Pagar seems like a good way to help the club get exposure, by helping fans see the history of the club, identify with it and make purchases," he said.

"We just hope there is help for clubs who want to take ownership of their home stadium."