CHINA vs SINGAPORE : LATW LIVE GATHERING!

LATW CREW IS SET TO ROCK CHINA FROM THE LION CITY AGAIN!


In a bid to unite the Lions fans who will not be travelling to Kunming this Friday, the LATW Crew is organising its second live gathering. This time, it will be at Durty Nelly's.

The event title are as follows:

Venue: Durty Nelly's:

Come down in red and join arms with your brothers from LATW as we sing our way to an historic victory!

for any queries, do refer to our facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169104036498365

[OFFICIAL STATEMENT] :WHAT IT TAKES TO BE LATW... (PART 2)

The DOs, the DON'Ts and the Taboo of being an LATW

A brotherhood that is made up of  unique individuals but united for one cause and that means,  blinding all differences we have from our fellow LATW members.

A deeper understanding of what LATW is about and how it started will also be shared in this blogpost and how we have adapted to the local context after taking inspiration from the many other fans around the world that are ever so patriotic and loyal.

The Crew has gone big on paper ( from the facebook page) and also in reality. This means that as a group, we have to know what it takes to be an LATW.

At the same time, this statement of the code of conduct expected from any LATW member shall be the official word and any form of breach shall be dealt with accordingly through advice, warnings and what have you. This is not to create an exclusive club but more to deter any form of misconduct as well as maintain the reputation of the LATW Crew that we have painstakingly built over the past year.

continued from......


6. Match day tickets
Match day tickets should be bought individually. In no way should any member expect any other members to purchase for him/her. Any previous arrangements to help in the purchasing of tickets are due to the goodwill of the members and not an entitlement. However, personal arrangements to help purchase tickets are as that, personal and nothing more.

In some instances, complimentary tickets may be available from some sources but do not expect this to be an entitlement because as far as possible, the LATW project aims to contribute to Singapore football in various ways including paying for our tickets to increase gate receipts and revenue for FAS and the development of Singapore football. The distribution of these complimentary tickets due to the goodwill of some sources will be based on whether the crew members are regular in supporting the Lions and based on whether he or she deserves the ticket and this is seen from the level of contribution and dedication of the member to the crew and Singapore football.

*even if we get complimentary tickets, those receiving this tickets are encouraged to chip in the money they save to our kitty fund to make banners and flags and purchasing of other materials.

7. Banners and Flags
Any member who owns the state flag is encouraged to bring along the flag when the Lions play. However, the  owner of the state flag must be responsible for his or her own material.

Banners are created and designed by the members itself and anyone with the creativity and ability to design can push forward his/her design to the Core members to be approved. This is so as we are against any form of banner that can trigger hostility between opposing fans and we are also against any banners that have negative connotations towards the FAS as well as our very own Lions.

The cost of producing the banners and the flags shall be beared by members of the crew and this can be done through collection of funds. Rest assured that all money collected will be just about enough to purchase the materials and no money shall be used for any individual in our kitty fund. Transparency of our funds shall be kept open in order for proof.

Self made flags and banners will be done from time to time. All members are encouraged to volunteer their services to help in making this DIY banners  but there is no obligation to do so.

8. Songs and Chants 
The songs that we sing are mostly inspired by fan groups of other countries. And yes, we admit we may not be 100 percent original.

The creation of the lyrics and songs are contributed by members of the crew and anyone can contribute. We will discuss whether the songs are appropriate before making it official as one of our songs.


In order for the crew to sound in unison and to be loud enough, ALL MEMBERS MUST follow the lead of these leading conductors in singing the songs.

The singing of these songs will be led by the conductors on the day. These conductors will be the ones holding the loudhailers and most of the time, they are the Core members of the crew. They will most likely be at the front of the crew crowd on match days.

9. Treatment of away fans
The LATW Crew expects its members to treat away fans with as much respect as possible.

Of course, it is understandable if emotions can get heated during the game and vulgarities and abuse may be hurled. However, that is as far that is accepted by the crew.

In no way shall any member pick a fight outside the stadium with away fans.

10. At the final whistle...
Crew members are expected to stay behind to cheer and sing for the players outside the dressing room as and when possible unless if they have school or work commitments very early the next day.

Even if the team loses, LATW Crew members shall never jeer at the players or hurl any sort of abuse. As far as possible, the LATW Crew shall be the pillar of strength for the Lions.

11. Away matches
Away matches is a delicate issue. As far as possible, do go together as a crew for safety purposes and anyone who has the means and the money to go to away games are encouraged to do so under the umbrella of LATW Crew.

12. Conduct on social media
The facebook page has been setup as a form of feedback and discussion. It is not a forum or a platform to air your personal grievances as well as advertise any personal agenda or motive. Social media sites are heavily monitored and any postings that can cause disharmony WILL be removed without question.

Action will be taken in of course questioning the one who posted afterwards by the administrators of the facebook page. Of course, if you have justification that is reasonable, the admin must also reason out with justification.

13. Talking to the media
Due to our enthusiastic support, it is understandable that the media are also interested in us. Therefore, any form of communication with media such as the newspapers and reporters must be done carefully so as to prevent any negative image linked to the crew.

As far as possible, refer the questions to either myself (Arief) or any other core  members in order to safeguard  the interest of the crew. This is to prevent any misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the crew in any form. However, if you are confident to handle the questions, by all means, do so.


After reading this two part series, I hope that all crew members and the core members and myself alike will abide by them.


At the end of the day, it is not about me, not about you but it is about the Lions and Singapore football. We do this not because of fame but because of our love for the game and the country.


We are not hooligans, we are not violent, we are not official, we are just LATW. 


Let us spearhead in the support of local football and be a positive example on how supporting should be done. The Lions and Singapore football has had enough of glory hunters and robotic cheering and singing from the stands. 

Regards,
Arief
founder of LATW CREW and on Behalf of the LATW CREW!

[OFFICIAL STATEMENT] :WHAT IT TAKES TO BE LATW... (PART 1)

The DOs, the DON'Ts and the Taboo of being an LATW

A brotherhood that is made up of  unique individuals but united for one cause and that means,  blinding all differences we have from our fellow LATW members.

A deeper understanding of what LATW is about and how it started will also be shared in this blogpost and how we have adapted to the local context after taking inspiration from the many other fans around the world that are ever so patriotic and loyal.

The Crew has gone big on paper ( from the facebook page) and also in reality. This means that as a group, we have to know what it takes to be an LATW.

At the same time, this statement of the code of conduct expected from any LATW member shall be the official word and any form of breach shall be dealt with accordingly through advice, warnings and what have you. This is not to create an exclusive club but more to deter any form of misconduct as well as maintain the reputation of the LATW Crew that we have painstakingly built over the past year.

1. Understanding History and Culture of LATW
What makes LATW so special for its members is the way it all began. If you think that we are all about jumping on the bandwagon, then you are wrong. In fact, the formation of the crew started because we felt that Singapore football was at its lowest point and something had to be done to help in its revival. This henceforth forms the culture of LATW which is to be there for the Lions irregardless we win,lose or draw.

In fact, we have always believed that true fans should be there most when the Lions lose and not claim a stake in glory when we convincingly beat our rivals (grins).

2. Membership
Since we are not in any form official, there is no such thing as applying to be a member or membership fees involved. In fact, we recognize every Singapore fan who is willing to lend their voices, love the Lions and share the same vision and mission as us to be part of the LATW.

Respect is earned and as long as you abide by the simple rules and put in that dedication for the Lions without any personal agenda or cause disharmony, you are recognized as being a member.

3. Attire
Attire on match days is simple. RED.

This is the colour that represnts brotherhood and equality in the flag of Singapore is also the colour that binds the Singapore spirit and the LATW brotherhood and equality between all Lions fans irregardless of what job you hold or what education level you possess.

Coming in the RED of your favourite Singapore clubs such as Home United or even you favourite foreign clubs is acceptable but as far as possible, try your best to be in the RED of Singapore or the BLUE jersey of Singapore or in RED T-SHIRTS.

4. Home matches
Gathering for home matches usually take place at an MRT station (Lavendar/Kallang) where LATW Crew members will meet before heading down to the stadium together.

As for where we sit, it truly depends on whether the different sections are opened up for us but as far as possible, we will sit as far away as possible from the official fan club as to prevent any conflict of interest.

Timing of gathering and where we sit shall be announced via the website or the LATW Crew facebook page.

5. Conduct of LATW CREW
LATW believes strongly in adhering to the rules and laws set by the FAS and the law and in no way shall we defend any crew member if he/she breaks the rules and the law. Instructions given by FAS MUST AT ALL TIMES be abide by.

LATW believes in treating its members as mature and responsible citizens. As such, IF ONLY NEED BE, crew members will be given advice by other members and also the LATW Core members.

regards,
Arief
founder of LATW Crew and on behalf of the LATW Crew


to be continued..........

ONE MORE WEEK TO WCQ! ;

Preparations on the pitch for the Lions are paralleled by preparations off the pitch from the fans...

LATW crew members at the front of the queue on Monday
(photo from FAS facebook page)

The Lions left for their preparations for their all important clash against the dragons on Monday morning and just a couple of hours later, fans were seen flocking to the Jalan Besar Stadium to get their hands on the precious tickets for the home games of the World Cup Qualifiers.

There was already a long queue before the ticket office was opened and even though only about 1000 tickets sold by the end of the first day, this is a sign that interest is slowly creeping its way back in Singapore football, well at least for the national team.

Geared up for the game after a good run out against Thailand came around the same time that it was "facebooked" that the gallery tickets for the Iraq game have been sold out.

And when the Lions left for Kunming on Thursday, it was reported that 30 Singaporeans will be supporting them at the heights of the Tuodong Stadium in one week's time. Again, this is a far cry as to how it was like a few months ago. At least, now, there is talk of away support when there wasn't much interest since a couple of years back.

Kudos to the FAS team running the website and facebook team as they have been able to provide updates, personal stories and pictures of the Lions. Again, this is so much better than it used to be. And yes, even flight timings have been included in stories in a bid to get supporters well informed so they can send off the players for away matches. Now, this is much more like it!

In a week's time, LATW will be travelling to a road less traveled as they hope to continue to represent for the Lions. In a bid to ensure that the Lions will not be alone when they take on China.

Fixture timings don't always fit with the work schedules and school schedules of Singaporeans. And there is also an issue of cost. But as and when possible, LATW pledges to try and make it possible for away support. This is no guarantee but we will surely try.

And when Majulah Singapura is played next Friday on Tuodong Stadium next Friday, at least we will know that at least someone in the stands will sing to the tune of it.

Keep the faith Lions and have no fear.

BELIEVE!

Good Luck, All the Best and BELIEVE!

Thank you for sacrificing so much for the country. LATW Crew is behind you!

Tomorrow marks the day the Lions will fly off to Thailand for a friendly and after which you will then fly off to Kunming for the first game of the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

This is a journey that will test you physically and mentally as well with all the obstacles facing you ahead.

After the game in Malaysia, the Lions have got everyone to be behind them and now, the whole of Singapore will be rooting and supporting you.

Thank you all who have sacrificed so much especially those that will be away from their families in this festive period. All for the country we love.

And for that, we, the LATW Crew wishes you all the very best.

Remember, the ball is round and anything can happen. Keep the faith and BELIEVE.

Never fear, at home and away, the LATW Crew will be with the Lions.

See you in Kunming!

regards,
Arief
on behalf of the LATW CREW!

IMPACTING FROM THE GALLERY!

Go and get your tickets onwards....

Grandstand or Not, we shall prevail!

The past few matches have seen the LATW Crew singing and cheering the cubs and Lions on from the grandstand.

This time around, for the World Cup Qualifiers at least, we are going to be placing ourselves from the Gallery (open top).

So, when purchasing your tickets for the upcoming matches, do purchase gallery tickets if you want to sit with the LATW Crew!

Lets put a challenge on ourselves and show that we can be strong enough and big enough to make an impact from an area that is obviously going to be tougher to be louder.

BELIEVE!

World Cup Qualifers tickets!

Turn up in numbers in the third round!

lets stand  by all our countrymen in this tough journey!

Matches against Malaysia or our regional rivals are not the only important matches that we should care about. Ahead for the Lions are the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Not 100 percent certain but with the support the Lions receive against Malaysia being replicated for the upcoming games, anything is possible.

And yes, lets support the lads so they will prove the non-believers wrong!

So here are the ticket details for the upcoming matches, as taken from the FAS website.

Match Details

Match : Singapore vs Iraq

Date : Tuesday 6 September 2011

Time : 7.30pm

Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium

Ticketing Details

Early Bird Special 

In order to show appreciation to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents for their unwavering support for local football, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be entitled to purchase the early bird tickets. Each person is entitled to purchase a maximum of four tickets upon showing your NRIC card at the sales counter.

Date    : Monday 22 August to Friday 26 August 2011

Time   : 12pm to 8pm

Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium, FAS Main Office

Price : Adult - S$17.00 (Grandstand), S$7.00 (Gallery)

          Concession - Child/Student/Senior Citizen - S$3.00 (Gallery seating only)*

*Students and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes at the sales counter. Concession tickets are applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.

Early Bird Special Bundle 

 (First 100 fans to purchase this Early Bird Special Bundle will each receive a Singapore Scarf priced at S$10 for free)

Includes tickets for all three home matches – Singapore vs Iraq - 6 Sept’11, Singapore vs Jordan – 11 Oct’11 and Singapore vs China – 15 Nov’11

In order to show appreciation to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents for their unwavering support for local football, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be entitled to purchase the early bird tickets. Each person is entitled to purchase a maximum of four bundles upon showing your NRIC card at the sales counter.

Date    : Monday 22 August to Friday 26 August 2011

Time   : 12pm to 8pm

Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium, FAS Main Office

Price : Adult - S$51.00 (Grandstand), S$21.00 (Gallery)

         Concession - Child/Student/Senior Citizen - S$9.00 (Gallery seating only)*

*Students and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes at the sales counter. Concession tickets are applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.

**Pre- Match Sales (subject to ticket availability)

Date    :  Monday 29 August 2011 to Monday 5 September 2011

(Sales Counter will be open only during weekdays. There will be no ticket sale on weekends and public holidays)

Time   : 12pm to 8pm

Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium, FAS Main Office

Price : Adult - S$20.00 (Grandstand), S$10.00 (Gallery)

          Concession - Child/Students/Senior Citizen - S$3.00 (Gallery seating only)*

*Students and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes at the sales counter. Concession tickets are applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.  

**Open to Public

***Match Day Sales (subject to ticket availability)

Date    : Tuesday 6 September 2011

Time   : 5pm onwards

Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium, North and South Gate

Price : Adult - S$20.00 (Grandstand), S$10.00 (Gallery)

          Concession - Child/Student/Senior Citizen - S$3.00 (Gallery seating only)*

*Students and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes at the sales counter. Concession tickets are applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.

***Open to Public

*Do take note that the LATW Crew will be sitting at the gallery this time round, SO... you know what to do!

Isn't playing for your country a form of National Service?

Co-operation for sporting excellence needed!

photo courtesy of IMSG-NIKE

The big fuss about Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin not being able to be released from the national service duties shouldn't be an issue, in my opinion, in the first place.

Hariss recently was enlisted with the Singapore Police Force to undergo his basic police training while Safuwan's status in the national team in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers still hangs in the balance.

Much as been said about having special arrangements for national servicemen who are sportsmen as well but somehow, this situation becomes worse each and every year.

I am fine if these players can only play for Home United or SAFFC, depending on their enlistment or even Young Lions in the S.League during their national service stint (eventhough it might not be exactly fair for the club academies that have groomed them).

But in my opinion, it is a totally different ball game if you are representing your country.

Something or someone must rectify this problem.

To me, representing your country in any positive aspect and that includes sports, is one great honour.

It has been theorised that national service commitments disrupts the progress of these sportsmen.

At the same time, I do also understand the need to be equipped with the skills learnt during national service be it from the Army or from the Home team.

But I guess, if some special arrangement can be done for students studying medicine, then why not for these sportsmen who obviously are key players in the national sports setup.

Again, one food for thought IF we want to progress in our sporting culture.

INTERNATIONAL CALL UPS... [ information taken from FAS website]

Raddy announces squad for upcoming matches... 

The National Team squad list has been confirmed for the International Friendly against Thailand on the 24th of August 2011 and the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™ ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND THREE matches against China PR and Iraq on 2nd and 6th September 2011 respectively.  

The squad list is as follow: 

S/N	Full Name	DOB	Position	Club	Caps	Goals
1	Hariss S/O Harun	19 Nov 1990	MF	Courts Young Lions	19	0
2	Mohamad Izwan Bin Mahbud	14 Jul 1990	GK	Courts Young Lions	3	0
3	Mohamed Ruzaini Bin Zainal	17 Oct 1988	MF	Courts Young Lions	2	0
4	Mohammad Afiq Bin Yunos	10 Dec 1990	DF	Courts Young Lions	2	0
5	Muhammad Safuwan Bin Baharudin	22 Sep 1991	DF	Courts Young Lions	7	0
6	Muhammad Zulfahmi Bin Mohd Arifin	05 Oct 1991	MF	Courts Young Lions
7	Shahdan Bin Sulaiman	09 May 1988	MF	Courts Young Lions	5	0
8	Mohamed Hafiz Bin Rahim	19 Nov 1983	FW	Geylang United FC
9	Sevki Bin Sha'ban	02 May 1984	DF	Geylang United FC	4	0
10	Hamqaamal Shah Bin Hamzah	05 Sep 1986	DF	Gombak United FC	2	0
11	Ismail Bin Yunos	24 Oct 1986	DF	Gombak United FC	15	0
12	Juma'at Bin Jantan	23 Feb 1984	DF	Home United FC	21	0
13	Lewis Lionel	16 Dec 1982	GK	Home United FC	68	0
14	Mohammad Isa Bin Abdul Halim	15 May 1986	MF	Home United FC	33	0
15	Qiu Li	06 Jun 1981	FW	Home United FC	8	1
16	Shi Jiayi	02 Sep 1983	MF	Home United FC	51	7
17	Mohammad Shahril Bin Ishak	23 Jan 1984	MF	Medan Chiefs FC	85	5
18	Bennett Daniel Mark	07 Jan 1978	DF	SAF FC	99	6
19	Fazrul Nawaz S/O Shahul Hameed	17 Apr 1985	FW	SAF FC	46	4
20	Mohamad Shaiful Bin Esah Nain	12 May 1986	DF	SAF FC	12	0
21	Aleksandar Duric	12 Aug 1970	FW	Tampines Rovers FC	35	18
22	Mustafic Fahrudin	17 Apr 1981	MF	Tampines Rovers FC	57	7
23	Shukor Bin Zailan	08 Dec 1985	MF	Tampines Rovers FC	2	0
24	Delwinder Singh S/O Ranjit Singh	05 Aug 1992	DF	Tanjong Pagar United FC
25	Muhammad Ridhuan Bin Barudin	23 Mar 1987	GK	Tanjong Pagar United FC