Latest posts by Martin Moodie (see all)
- From Lisbon to Lon Y Coed and on to Hong Kong - January 4, 2026
- Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa – where “the sardine is queen” - December 18, 2025
- In memory of Roopa, a Mitti Café and travel retail heroine - November 23, 2025
When I arrived at my hotel in Singapore yesterday afternoon – the Mandarin Oriental – the place was abuzz with expectation, with scores of expectant-looking people gathered outside the entrance with their cameras.
The reason alas was not The Moodie Report’s arrival but that of Liverpool Football Club as part of their Asian tour. They play in Singapore on Sunday night and enjoy a tremendous fan base here.
The hotel is crawling with fans in red and security men wearing ‘The Kop comes to Asia’ t-shirts and who look as if they dine out on Singapore Fried Steroids rather than noodles. You would not want to meet any of them in a dark alley or indeed in a brightly lit one.
So far I have avoided telling any of them that I support the mighty Crystal Palace. But after breakfast this morning no fewer than six players got into the lift after me – had word of my allegiance spread?
No such worries. They barely spoke a word to each other, let alone to me. I was struck by how young they all looked. Just kids, with the world – and a football – at their feet.