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 Madrid or AC Milan, there are significant policies & strategies of these big clubs that can be adopted & successfully implemented in the local context.

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.