FOOTBALL COMRADESHIP SEES WEDNESDAY FC BLOOM

WEDNESDAYS UNITES WEDNESDAY FC

BY TONY MARIADASS

PICTURES COURTESY OF NANCY LEKS

The Covid 19 pandemic has taken a toll on all, including veteran football players, who used to play in tournaments and friendly football matches, week in and week out.

But now it is reduced to a handful of matches organised with strict SOPs observed and minus inter-state travel.

However, the love and passion for football and enjoying the comradeship has not stopped veteran team, Wednesday FC, from playing friendly matches whenever possible during this Covid 19 pandemic.

 At the last count by the Malaysian Football Veteran (MFV), initiated by N. Thashnamoorthy, the count was 75 registered veteran football clubs.

 But there are easily more than 100 veteran football teams in Malaysia, many of whom who also have their own youth football academies.

 Like many veteran clubs, Wednesday FC, have a history behind the formation of their club in 2006.

 It all started with a group of veteran players in the Klang Valley who wanted to play matches weekly, and it was decided that mid-week was the best day as fields were available more easily.

The number of players turning up for the team weekly kept increasing and they wanted to name the team.

Since they played every Wednesday, the majority suggested why not call the team “Wednesday FC” and the team was born.

Wayne Lee, the assistant secretary of the club who doubles up as the coordinator of the team is among the founder members of the team together with president of the club Jason Ng.

Wednesday FC also boost of several former State players who include Too Sen Fee, Liew Kim Tu, Yeo Swee Hock and Roy Lee Ban Tat a former national U16 and KL player.

The number of players in the team has now grown to more than 60 and each contribute RM600 annually for expenditure to book the fields, pay for match officials, and travels for friendly matches. Of course, there are well-wishers who donate or sponsor the club for some of their trips, gathering and participation in veteran tournaments.

Wednesday FC is helmed by president Jason and ably assisted by his two-vice presidents Datuk Jimmy Hoo and Tan Hong Hean.

Other key members in the committee are advisor, Hiew Fooi Leong, secretary Alex Chee, treasurer, Alan Lau, assistant treasurer Yee Wai How and committee members, Tek Kim Kwee, Stanley Ng,Ong Mok Hooi, John Chow, Eric Law, Leks Leong, Wong Swee Hoong, Sia Chong Wee and Siva Kumar Krishnan.

“This team was set up in 2003 with the aim of providing us with more than just the weekend football actions. Matches were initially played on different days of the week. As the number of players grew, we decided to have a fixed day on each week to host our friendly matches and Wednesday was chosen,” explained Wayne.

“In line with that, the club’s name KL Wednesday FC was named.  With increasing members, there came the idea to formally registered this club. In 2012 the club was formally registered with Registrar of Sports as Kelab Bola Sepak KL Wednesday.”

 

“The current number of members of this club stands at 65.  With the growing number of members, the club tries hard to ensure all members feel that their memberships are worthwhile. We have been organising weekly matches and occasionally trips for members to strengthen their bonds with each other.”

And one such trip was last Sunday to Sungei Sedu, Banting to play the local veteran team. Wednesday FC went down 1-3 to the homesters.

But this trip turned out to be a grand outing in any case, as former Kuala Lumpur’s international defender See Kim Seng, who not only arranged the friendly match, but managed to get his business partner Patrick See Feng Seng to host Wednesday FC to a seafood dinner after the game at See’s Attapka Seafood Restaurant.

Kim Seng even arranged for buskers Jimi and Elenna to entertain them for the night.

But the event had a nostalgic touch, as arrangement was made to invite former internationals which included former national skipper Datuk Soh Chin Aun and his wife, Datuk Chen Hooi Hwa and wife, Chow Siew Yai and wife and K. Gunalan, who graced the occasion.

Also present by special invitation was Datuk (Dr) Lim Teck Kiong, the president of Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Cina Tawau, Sabah.

Wednesday FC president Jason Ng presenting a souvenir jersey to Datuk Soh Chin while vice president Datuk Jimmy Hoo presenting to Datuk Dr Lim Teck Kiong, flanked  by Alan Lau and Wayne Lee at the ends.

The seafood dishes prepared at the Attapka Seafood Restaurant was the talk of the night as each dished was savoured and disappeared just as soon as it was laid on the table.

The 57-year-old Kim Seng, father of five daughters, who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, who played for KL and Negri Sembilan, took to his current seafood restaurant last February when he took over youngest brother’s (Kim Huat), business, whose health was ailing.

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register, and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

His wife, Doris Wong is always at hand to assist him and on Sunday four of his daughters were also present to help to ensure their dad’s guest were served well with the dishes all coming out in sequence and on time.

Kim Seng with wife Doris Wong (third and fourth from left) and guests

Kim Seng with Moses Wan and Leks Leong from Wednesday FC

Kim Seng with Wednesday FC vice-president Datuk Jimmy Hoo

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables monthly for poor families around the area, working with the Community Service centres.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab.

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.

Indeed, it was a grand affair for Wednesday FC and guests, both on and off the field and all returned home with fond memories till they met at their next outing and their weekly matches