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Tag: Jermaine Pennant

  • Tampines Rovers Chairman Krishna Ramachandra Resigns

    Tampines Rovers Chairman Krishna Ramachandra Resigns

    He took the S.League by storm. Within months of helming Tampines Rovers, chairman Krishna Ramachandra put the S.League on the world map.

    Internationally recognised names Jermaine Pennant, Gerard Houllier and even Ronaldinho were associated with the five-time league champions.

    But it has not been plain sailing for the 45-year-old corporate lawyer, who is relinquishing his post as Tampines chairman after less than two years in the job.

    The New Paper understands that Krishna has recommended a successor, who will need to be approved by the authorities.

    Said Krishna in a statement: “I intend to step down as chairman of TRFC in the coming weeks… after TRFC’s 2016 accounts have been audited and finalised. I will be dealing with all outstanding queries relating to TRFC’s statement of accounts before stepping down.

    “The high demands of my professional career have overtaken my ability to keep volunteering at the level of intensity that is needed to fulfil the role of chairman of TRFC,” added Krishna, who said he will remain as a committee member to assist in the transition phase.

    Financial issues also cropped up at the club. These include late payment of salaries to Stags staff, which raised the attention of the Central Provident Fund Board.

    Despite the woes, Krishna said he has derived joy from his involvement with the club.

    “It has been an honour and privilege to serve this wonderful club. I have enjoyed many memorable moments with the fans, players, coaches and staff – all of whom have been just an absolute joy to work with,” he said.

    “I have absolutely no regrets on the footballing experience I have had in the last six over years and I will certainly continue to support Singapore football.”

    Krishna is hopeful of a better future for S.League clubs, though.

    “Hopefully, in the near future, S.League clubs will be allowed the option to be privatised, and those that can, may possibly install a viable model,” he said.

    “This will take time but more importantly will need the support of all stakeholders.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Even Lionel Messi Would Not Have Helped S-League, Says Jermaine Pennant

    Even Lionel Messi Would Not Have Helped S-League, Says Jermaine Pennant

    Tampines Rovers player Jermaine Pennant, who will leave Singapore next week after failing to agree to new terms, gave a withering assessment of the S-League.

    In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, Pennant, 33, said that without proper investment, the current state of affairs – poor attendances, lack of public interest, limited sponsorships – will not change, even if Barcelona star Lionel Messi signed for an S-League club.

    Asked if he had done enough to revive the S-League, the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger said after training at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday night (Oct 27): “All I can do is go out there and play my best and hopefully create a buzz. But it needs more than that, you can’t just expect me to come here and change everything.

    “No matter who you get, you could bring Messi here, yes, you’d attract fans but without money, and the government and the league helping out out like they do with other sports, or what they do in other countries, it’s not going to grow.”

    Pennant’s signing generated much interest in local football. A pre-match friendly with Hougang United attracted close to 2,000 fans, unheard of in local football.

    Local and foreign media tracked his transfer closely, and he was even featured in British newspaper The Times after settling in Singapore.

    But, while crowd figures went up after a third of the S-League season, the hype eventually dissipated. Plans to bring back the Marquee Player Scheme, which provides subsidies for clubs to sign high-profile players, were scrapped.

    Tampines also ran into cash-flow problems after a sponsor pulled out. Tampines chairman Krishna Ramachandra also decided to stop operating jackpot machines, calling it a “social ill”, and are undergoing cost-cutting measures to balance the books next season.

    However, Pennant refused to say his time here was a failure. The Stags, who finished second in the league, have so far not won any silverware. But that could change on Saturday (Oct 29), when they play Albirex Niigata in the RHB Singapore Cup final.

    He said: “I don’t think it’s a failure. I’ve enjoyed my time here. It’s a bit disappointing what’s happened to the club. When I signed everything looked good. But I definitely didn’t regret it.

    “If we’d won the league it’d probably be a bit better but hopefully we can end on good note and win on Saturday.”

     

    Source: The Straits Times