When The Stars Came To The Padang - A Photo Blog

When The Stars Came To The Padang - A Photo Blog - By Reynold Godwin Pereira

Reynold Pereira finds a treasure of photos of football legends from the 70's and 80's.

 
While going through some of my old black and white negatives and contact prints, I came across some sets of black and white prints that I had taken back in 1996. 

I normally only made contact prints of my photos and unfortunately, I had overexposed most of the photos from this roll so the contact print showed many photos which looked 'washed out'. (These were the days before digital photos so you only had one shot to get it right!) 

I was quite disappointed and these prints fell into the archives folders only to gather dust in the cupboards.

But recently, I purchased a negative converter so that I could scan all my old negatives into digital format. and now with technology, I was able to 'treat' some of my old negatives and restore them to their former glory!!

I had completed a black and white photography course conducted of the Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS) in 1995. And after the course, I was keen to try out some new techniques that I had learnt. 

On this occasion, I decided to head out to the Padang when I heard that there was a game between a European All-Star lineup versus a Singapore team made up of ex-National players. 

It's funny but holding an SLR camera together with a bag of accessories somehow game you a bit of clout and I was able to mingle with the players before and after the match to get them to pose for photos. 

It also gave me an opportunity to speak to some of them whom prior to that, I only was able to see them on TV!  

Looking back, I'm glad that I did all those photo shoots and looking back at these photos, it reminds me that the memories that are stored in our minds may eventually fade away but photos act as a time stamp of a particular day in our life! 

Enjoy these memories!

The Singapore Ex-National team pose with the European All-Star team before the match at the Padang. The Singapore team consisted of players like Fandi Ahmad, Quah Kim Song, Malik Awab, Robert Sim, Jai Prakash and Sundramoorthy among others.

The European All-Star team. Among the players in the team were Alan Ball, Ossie Ardiles, Alex Stepney, Liam Brady, Rene Van Der Kerkoff, Alan Kennedy, Russell Osman, Tony Woodcock and Gordon Strachan. 

Two legends at the match: Fandi Ahmad, Singapore's football legend and the late George Suppiah who refereed several matches at the 1974 World Cup.

Alex Stepney who played goalkeeper for Manchester United when they won the European Cup in 1968.

The late Alan Ball who was a World Cup winner with England in the 1966 World Cup.

Russell Osman who played for Ipswich Town and England. He was also featured in the film, Escape To Victory together with Ossie Ardiles.

Malek Awab, the diminutive but very creative Singapore midfielder in the 80's.

Jai Prakash who was one of Singapore's 'hard men' in defence in the 80's

Tony Woodcock kicking off with another player (not sure who he is!) Woodcock was in the Nottingham Forest team that won the European Cup in 1979.

Liam Brady. Best remembered for his days with Arsenal and for his accurate pass that led to Alan Sunderland scoring the winning goal in the exciting 1979 FA Cup Final.

Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad posing with Osvaldo Ardiles who played for Argentina when they won the World Cup in 1978 and later played for Spurs in the English league.

Gordon Strachan who is the current manager of Scotland

Robert Sim, Singapore's tough left back who is best remembered for the photo of him shedding tears when Singapore lost to South Vietnam in the semi-final of the 1973 SEAP Games.

Fandi Ahmad posing with Gordon Strachan

Malek Awab and V. Sundramoorthy who currently the head coach of the Singapore National team.

Tommy Docherty (middle) who was the coach of Manchester United when they won the FA Cup in 1977.

Fandi Ahmad, the gentleman that he is, signing autographs for some kids after the match.

Malek Awab and Fandi Ahmad, two stars of the Singapore National team in the 70's and 80's.

Mah Bow Tan, former Minister of Singapore being introduced to the Singapore team before the match.

Fandi Ahmad after the match

Quah Kim Song (right) Singapore's Golden Boy from the 70's