 Far East AngliansWritten by Marcus on Thursday, 18th Aug 2016 11:45 I’ve never really liked the term ‘Far East’ as it tends to conjure images of China and Japan rather than the plethora of different countries and cultures in South East Asia. However, for the sake of it, ‘Far East Anglians’ works quite well to indicate Town (and the other lot's) supporters here in Asia. Ultimately I’ve been a Town fan who has travelled and worked across Asia while waving the Blue flag. Some of the more interesting places I’ve followed the game have included using a shortwave transistor radio in the deserts of Rajasthan while riding a camel, in the only working Internet café in the Baliem Valley, Papua and using a very unreliable connection at 4am in the morning in Yogyakarta, Java during a minor earthquake. Also an honourable mention to a very unsteady hotel Internet connection in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam – as was often the case I got snippets of commentary and eventually the result. On occasion I’ve met others – in Hong Kong for the play-offs just over a year ago there was a good group of people. I travelled over from mainland China (where I was working) for the weekend and joined the group. I wasn’t able to drink due to breaking my foot on my way to the bar but I got myself out of hospital on crutches so I could watch. I met a few other Town fans in Bali, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia but Hong Kong was the best organised. It was amazing to have a sudden feeling of being back home when watching a game. While not a Town game I met other Town fans while watching England defeats, sorry, games at the World Cup and European Championships. There was one bar in particular in Bandung, Java that was packed for the games and I distinctly remember a few from Ipswich. There were times I’ve been travelling or working around India and Indonesia where I had to find an Internet café. One alternative I found when I was totally out of Internet coverage (or just couldn’t go to an Internet café at silly o’clock) was to set up an email account and redirect message headers to my SMS. It was a bit fiddly but TWTD at least posted the scores quite quickly and I could then check the reports in the morning. Many times I’ve listened to the online streaming – including three times from hospital beds – once in Singapore, once in Brugge, Belgium (OK, not Asia, but I was abroad!) and once in Makati City, Manila. My health is fine now but I acknowledge I’ve had a bit of a chequered history. With the local derby this weekend I sending out a message about a meet-up in Makati City – about an hour from me. Again it will be great to meet other ‘Far East Anglians’- as there aren’t that many places showing the game I imagine some of the yellow ones will be there as well so there should be a fair amount of good-humoured banter – I’ve found when abroad the rivalry is still there but not the bitterness. Friends 361-364 days a year, rivals on match days! Finally, I just want to sound out the idea for joining a ‘Far East Anglian ITFC’ group on Facebook. I’ve set up the group here – if there’s interest we can develop it. Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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