Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

The Entrepreneur

Its that time of the week again..

Feb 08, 2009
Categories: Others

Its the weekend again and its all about football, football and more football. I'm no Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or recent Chelsea fan. So its weird because although we sponsored Manchester United, I will be rooting for West Ham like always tonight. Got a big game coming up tonight with my team going in for a thriller against one of the best. Yes, I am a proud fan of West Ham United and tonight promises some great action. Have been a supporter since the Hammer's FA cup win in 1975 and have been hooked since then. Some call it a loyal following, to me, its more like a drug and West Ham has been among the most addictive.

Have been riding their highs and lows with them all these years; through their second FA cup victory back in in 1980, the European Cup Winner's Cup finals, 3 relegations and 3 promotions back to the top tier again and with the current new regime under Gianfranco Zola, who I feel is a superb player and a great coach. For us West Ham fans, its been mostly downs, but loyalty can't be bought and I will die a Hammer. All the greats have come from West Ham as the only team to play with style. Upton Park has seen its share of illustrious players from the likes of Trevor Brooking of the past and the current crop of stars such as Joe Cole and the father-son connection of Frank Lampard Sr. and Jr that rose through the ranks. That singular passion is simply going to take us over the top tonight.

There were two great days in the English league and I was there when on two occasions, West Ham grabbed their two FA Cup victories. Each has been sweet memories that will definitely go down in Upton Park lore. Was also at Upton Park when we last topped United 2-1 so the Devils know whats coming up tonight as we add another sweep over the reigning champions tonight in the history books. Theres Old Trafford and then again, theres Upton Park.

We are chasing a place in Europe next season and tonights game promises to be a cracker with the boys labelled the 'underdogs' and thats just the way we like it. Hope you got your tellys tuned and banners ready because I've got my money on West Ham taking the match tonight. Will hear from you guys and gals at the end of the whistle. I'm forever blowing bubbles.

Watch this space next to find out what Dato' Nazir Razak and Temasek has in common.

Tags: football, manchester united, premier league, uptown park, west ham
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10 comments »

10 comments

skydreamer from Australia wroteon Feb 08, 2009 at 16:48
Well, Well!!! This is so wrong!!! Sponsering Man U and support West Ham. But Westham didn't good in these few years!! Nice to know that you like West Ham
Supporting West ham has been good trainning for the avaiton industry hahahaha
But there is a business lesson in this. Loyalty. This is key in business. because Loyalty will be rewarded . stick with oartners through thick or thin.
we didnt win but we played damm well,
go the hammers,
tony
ferdinand v zeppelin from Malaysia wroteon Feb 08, 2009 at 18:50
Hopefully Edwin Van Der Sar will be able to break the long standing British record. Edwin Van der Sar broke Stve Death's Football League record of 1,103 minutes without conceding a goal for Reading, when the Dutchman kept his 12th consecutive clean sheet last Saturday (against Everton). Van der Sar now needs to keep West Ham at bay for 75 minutes to break Chris Woods' British record of 1,196 minutes, set between November 1986 and January 1987, when keeping goal for Glasgow Rangers. No doubt Zola has done well, but West Ham have dropped more Premier League points to Manchester United than any other club (62). Having said that, Manchester United has a dismal record in London, i.e. one win from 09 matches.
taggnas from Malaysia wroteon Feb 10, 2009 at 15:44
Hey Tony, nice article. I am almost certain that AIG would not continue to sponsor Man United next year onwards (http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/21/manchester-united-aig-markets-equity-cx_ll_0121markets09.html) and that would mean Man United's management will be on the look out for a new shirt sponsorship deal. Is AirAsia making a bit for that sponsorship? I know that you guys have your brand on the sleeves of the referees but it would be great if you guys have your brand on the Man United shirt. Man United has one of the biggest sales from the home and away shirts, and by having AirAsia's brand on their shirts, just imagine the mileage it will fetch you guys. Think about it! :) IMHO, the mileage would be far better than the one you guys have on the Williams F1 team. Just my two cents.
taggnas from Malaysia wroteon Feb 10, 2009 at 15:51
Oh, by the way, I am a Man United fan (since 1981) with the likes of Gary Bailey, Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Kevin Moran, Ray Wilkins and a very young Bryan Robson donning their shirts back then. Surely, I will add the new shirt to my existing collection, better still if its AirAsia printed on the front :)
zekodd from Malaysia wroteon Feb 11, 2009 at 11:14
pppppphhhhrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!! Anyway, this Y chromosome talks over a ball , fascinating.
rzarazor from United Kingdom wroteon Feb 15, 2009 at 19:26
tony, being a malaysian and a fellow iron, i have heard rumours that the famous tony fernandes is an avid hammer follower too. it is good to know that somehow you have made it clear in your latest post here. i was lucky enough to make it to the last two home games, yesterday against boro and last weekend against air asia sponsored team - manure. i have to say that the team is playing the most beautiful football we have ever played since the 80s most probably. savio nsereko the new signing played so well yesterday that it made me felt the 9 million spent was worth it and would probably be a good business in the next 3-4 years. we didnt play as well yesterday, but a sign of a good team is - they will still do alright even when they are not playing well. mebbe that could also be a good sign for a good company? performing alright through hard times ? i wish air asia all the best. and might consider getting on a few flights when i go balik kampung for a visit. by the way, do you know that there is now a west ham malaysia supporters club? kind regards, ray
cintatheresalee from Malaysia wroteon Mar 29, 2009 at 15:33
Hi Datuk Tony, You must be someone really into soccer...grin. I used to play football a lot when I was 8 to 12 years old. Haha ..it was so amazing!! Girls team vs boy team well, we girls always won the match because guys were not dare to be too harsh. Now, no such a fantastic match for me anymore..... Why don't we set up our team among Airasia airlines staff one day? I think it would be fun!! Ok, it's just a suggestion for airlines events. Best Regards, Theresa
limei from Singapore wroteon Mar 30, 2009 at 16:24
Thanks Tony for your reply.
nickychua from Malaysia wroteon Apr 05, 2009 at 21:30
Dear Dato', I found out that the airline ticket price can be start from rm200++ drop to rm89,after that drop to rm25, and now current promotion drop to rm9. Is that this call World's Best Low Cost Airline because of YOU. Although you can get this awards but it was unfair to many early bird users that booking ealier.
cintatheresalee from Malaysia wroteon Apr 08, 2009 at 18:09
hi there uncle Robert, I'm so surprised to read your entry!! wow..47 year-old man still desire to become a pilot!! Haha...I think that you are just simply amazing! I'm tried to send in some entry for the pilot blog competition too but i dun think i will get shortlisted becasue my age is the biggest barrier. I've been writing since the beginning of the competition till this eraly April. Well, i'm not trying to let you down, but at this age, you probarly need to have self-sponsore. I'm a 30 year-old single lady with full of hope to become Airasia pilot but now I think I've to give up. No because I dun want to effort for it but this is how we call luck!! I 've ever attened one of the asian entrepreneur convention in Singapore, which one of the sucessful entrepreneur tell us a definition of LUCK.....Opportunity and Preparation. So, even if you have done your 100 % Preparation, You still need that Opportunity!! I hope you wil get your wing one day. Because miracle can turn up who knows?? There's one 70 year-old women who entered to one of the singapore University to get a Bachelor Degree. Her efforts maek all the youngsters stun and yet she won the Best Spirit Award from the Ministry(Can't recall the minister's name) Is age a barrier? I'm actually not that sure.. So let miracle turns up!! Theresa

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Hi guys. Thanks for stopping by. This is where I plan to share my ideas, thoughts and observations on a variety of topics with anyone who cares to listen. There's just so much to say these days and with new developments in areas of sports such as the 1Lotus team and the ABL and in new ventures of Tune Talk and more to come, stay tuned. Cheers!
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Opinions expressed here and in any corresponding comments are the views and opinions of Tony Fernandes, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the AirAsia and Tune Groups of Companies.

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