Sunday, December 14, 2014
Wear Your Colours
I've written on more than one occasion about the almost total lack of marketing savvy that afflicts most clubs in the region with the possible exception of clubs in Thailand.
So it is good to see when one club does try and break the mould.
Johor Darul Tazim have come on leaps and bounds since the state royalty invested a few bob in the club. Not only have expensive imports been brought in, with varying degrees of success. Money has been ploughed into the club's training and medical facilities.
On my last visit last season, in a Super League game against Terengganu, there were so many changes from my visit before, when they were a second tier without fans nor royal patronage, including a small club store selling merchandiise.
It may not have been particular busy when I was there but judging by the fans milling around the stadium, plenty had handed over their cash to show their colours.
Now comes news JDT have inked an agreement with a Malaysian sports retailer to sell their merchandise through their outlets across the country.
It may seem simple but go into an average sports store and you fall over Liverpool and Brazil shirts. Now we have JDT putting their stuff out there and perhaps they could be the first of many? Certainly when you think of the likes of Kelantan and Selangor they too have the potential to go down the same road.
Indonesia? Nah, don't be silly!
So it is good to see when one club does try and break the mould.
Johor Darul Tazim have come on leaps and bounds since the state royalty invested a few bob in the club. Not only have expensive imports been brought in, with varying degrees of success. Money has been ploughed into the club's training and medical facilities.
On my last visit last season, in a Super League game against Terengganu, there were so many changes from my visit before, when they were a second tier without fans nor royal patronage, including a small club store selling merchandiise.
It may not have been particular busy when I was there but judging by the fans milling around the stadium, plenty had handed over their cash to show their colours.
Now comes news JDT have inked an agreement with a Malaysian sports retailer to sell their merchandise through their outlets across the country.
It may seem simple but go into an average sports store and you fall over Liverpool and Brazil shirts. Now we have JDT putting their stuff out there and perhaps they could be the first of many? Certainly when you think of the likes of Kelantan and Selangor they too have the potential to go down the same road.
Indonesia? Nah, don't be silly!