New Season! Big News!
A new season awaits, finally, for the Outsiders after a rather tumultuous end to last season. Major boardroom troubles coupled by various internal scuffles ensued, as well as several disciplinary issues and injuries have clouded the Mavericks' previous season, after such a promising start.
The Maverickian owner came under-fire after several off-season decisions, which effectively halted the drive of the players to perform on the pitch, notably obvious in the run of defeats towards the end of last season. The owner, having been seen as the 'Messiah', for turning around the fortunes of the club in early 2007, was seen as the focal point of a new era for the Outsiders, with several notable big name signings over the past year or so (except for that portuguese, Jeremiah, of course).
The club was given a new lease of life, and were rejuvenated under this new regime, and ultimately, the fans were appeased in what was a successful 2007 for Mavericks FC. However, things began to look bleak, and very much far from what it had been, personified by the rather indifferent footballing year of 2008.
Several protests were made outside their home ground, with protesters demanding a change of ownership during the pre-season. Their hopes were dashed, however, as several US-based and Hong Kong investors were chased out of the market due to the recent sub-prime crisis as several banks defaulted and collapsed under the pressure, leaving the current Maverickian owner having no choice but to press on with the club's financial dealings.
Several further bank failures and government bailouts of financial firms did not help the situation at all. With the club running the risk of liquidation, several club shareholders have sold all their assets and backed out, leaving behind the Maverickian owner, who now owns a 100% stake in the club's shareholder stock. This worsened the situation, with many club season ticket holders expressing their disgust at such a monopoly of power. This further internal dissension grew, and the transfer of ownership saga dragged on, and now, the fans have grown impatient.
It's high time the deluded Stade de Sembawang faithful win something, after what was a barren season, coupled by the poorly-timed decisions of the transfer of one of their most-prized players, Boon Leng, to X-S FC as well as the releasing of star striker Zhi Fei on loan to Taiwan Shihlin FC. Furthermore, several injuries to Chung Wei and Kee Siang have ensured that things would not be smooth for the Outsiders towards the end of last season.
However, at a recent press conference a fortnight ago at the club's reception room, the owner has released details on an "almost-done deal" regarding the selling of the club's ownership rights to an unidentified interested buyer. Reliable sources have described the new owner as being effective and ambitious with the drive to fuel the passion of the fans. Further sources have even mentioned that the new owner is a very young, yet, powerful presence in the Asian market.
Latest reports have even quoted the new owner at a press conference as saying that the club is just simply
"太烦恼 !!! (Too Much Trouble!!!)" and it is up to her to change that and bring the club back to where it belongs.
Photos of new owner from the press conference:-
Press Conference
The Mavericks fans hope that this will be the start of a new era and signs are already showing that this will be a much, much better season, as the queues for the season opener have started since last week.
Here's a treat from the new owner as well!
At the moment, it looks like the new owner has already garnered unwavering support and the fans can't hardly wait for the action to resume, and the club to start getting back on their winning ways again.
May the force be with the Outsiders!
The Maverickian owner came under-fire after several off-season decisions, which effectively halted the drive of the players to perform on the pitch, notably obvious in the run of defeats towards the end of last season. The owner, having been seen as the 'Messiah', for turning around the fortunes of the club in early 2007, was seen as the focal point of a new era for the Outsiders, with several notable big name signings over the past year or so (except for that portuguese, Jeremiah, of course).
The club was given a new lease of life, and were rejuvenated under this new regime, and ultimately, the fans were appeased in what was a successful 2007 for Mavericks FC. However, things began to look bleak, and very much far from what it had been, personified by the rather indifferent footballing year of 2008.
Several protests were made outside their home ground, with protesters demanding a change of ownership during the pre-season. Their hopes were dashed, however, as several US-based and Hong Kong investors were chased out of the market due to the recent sub-prime crisis as several banks defaulted and collapsed under the pressure, leaving the current Maverickian owner having no choice but to press on with the club's financial dealings.
Several further bank failures and government bailouts of financial firms did not help the situation at all. With the club running the risk of liquidation, several club shareholders have sold all their assets and backed out, leaving behind the Maverickian owner, who now owns a 100% stake in the club's shareholder stock. This worsened the situation, with many club season ticket holders expressing their disgust at such a monopoly of power. This further internal dissension grew, and the transfer of ownership saga dragged on, and now, the fans have grown impatient.
It's high time the deluded Stade de Sembawang faithful win something, after what was a barren season, coupled by the poorly-timed decisions of the transfer of one of their most-prized players, Boon Leng, to X-S FC as well as the releasing of star striker Zhi Fei on loan to Taiwan Shihlin FC. Furthermore, several injuries to Chung Wei and Kee Siang have ensured that things would not be smooth for the Outsiders towards the end of last season.
However, at a recent press conference a fortnight ago at the club's reception room, the owner has released details on an "almost-done deal" regarding the selling of the club's ownership rights to an unidentified interested buyer. Reliable sources have described the new owner as being effective and ambitious with the drive to fuel the passion of the fans. Further sources have even mentioned that the new owner is a very young, yet, powerful presence in the Asian market.
Latest reports have even quoted the new owner at a press conference as saying that the club is just simply
"太烦恼 !!! (Too Much Trouble!!!)" and it is up to her to change that and bring the club back to where it belongs.
Photos of new owner from the press conference:-
Press Conference
The Mavericks fans hope that this will be the start of a new era and signs are already showing that this will be a much, much better season, as the queues for the season opener have started since last week.
Here's a treat from the new owner as well!
At the moment, it looks like the new owner has already garnered unwavering support and the fans can't hardly wait for the action to resume, and the club to start getting back on their winning ways again.
May the force be with the Outsiders!
posted by The Outsider at
1:27 AM
