Unbeknownst to many, the field along Tampines Street 81 was the training ground of some household names in Singapore’s football scene. In this editorial, we speak to Seeni Fairuz, the man who has been keeping the Tampines Mango Field up and running for the last two decades, about the people, stories, and memories tied to this unassuming plot of land.
With a short crop of black hair, an infectious smile, and clad in his electric blue head coach jersey, you could barely tell he was a day over 50. Yet, lounging in a white plastic lawn chair with a crow perched comfortably on his shoulders, Seeni Fairuz officially turns 70 this year.
From his time as a former national player from Toa Payoh United (previously called the Singapore Marble FC) in the 1970s to his present longtime career as a football coach, Seeni speaks about his love affair with the beautiful game just as passionately as someone who is newly infatuated with the sport.
Seeni Fairuz’s compassion and nurturing quality extends to all beings on the field. The crow on his shoulder was a rescue from one of two eggs that fell out of a mango tree. Now, they are residents of the field, accompanying the players as they train.
Rekindling the kampung spirit
Flanked by the bustling coffeeshops of Tampines Street 81 on one side and Temasek Polytechnic on the other, the field was nicknamed the Tampines Mango Field by neighbourhood residents after the nine mango trees that line the perimeter of the grounds. According to Seeni, the field is also a hot spot with the residents that live within its vicinity and is especially popular with joggers and pet owners.
“We have a very close-knitted community here and a strong sense of kampung spirit. Everybody knows my dad.” said Fazli Fairuz Shah, 34. As the son of coach Seeni, Fazli helps his dad out with the coaching and administrative duties at STAR Soccer Academy, whose training takes place on the mango field. Together with 12 other experienced football coaches, they groom more than 200 football hopefuls every week.
Seeni (left) and his son, Fazli (right), are the caretakers of the mango field. Residents use the field to walk their pets or hang out with friends and family. Likewise, it’s at these Sunday neighbourhood gatherings that Seeni’s family can catch up with one another amidst their busy schedules.
“We want this to be a place for whoever that wants to play. I think this is one of the only few grass fields left like this in Singapore.” he added, drawing reference to a plot of adjacent land that got turned into new Built-to-Order flats.
“Some people want to bring their dog in for a run, we tell them to let themselves in. This is a space for the community after all,” said Seeni, who was seen waving to the residents passing by and going up to the fences for a quick chat.
“But this is also a safe space for the boys,” said Seeni.
Seedbed of local talents
Seeni shared that the field was a form of healthy escape for the young football players, citing stories of underprivileged and at-risk youths sent here by parents to keep their time occupied with learning new skills and values that come with being a part of a team sport.
Previously, the boys trained only on Sundays. With the academy taking part in this year’s Singapore Youth League, the field is now a training ground all days of the week.
Prior to the academy’s establishment, the field was also the birthplace of many local football talents.
“This field was home to many national players like Shahdan Sulaiman and Faris Ramli. They came here, trained, and went on to other places as their careers progressed,” shared Seeni. Shahdan Sulaiman was a former national team player and is currently a defensive midfielder for Hougang United while Faris Ramli from Tampines Rovers is a forward for the national team.
“Every once in a while, I see old players coming back to this field. They know I’m here. So whenever they want to sweat it out, they come here.”
No man left behind
When Seeni said it was a space for all, he meant every word. During his coaching stints in various secondary schools, he met many talented players whom he took under his wing, regardless of whether they could afford the training or football gear.
“Good players deserve to play. Shoes, bags, drinks - if I am able to give, I will. This is what I want to do with my life. I want to bring up a lot of young players,” says the head coach.
When asked why he continued to coach even when many of his former teammates have left the sport, his answer was a resounding affirmation of his devotion to football. “I love the game. I want to elevate the skills of our young players and teach them the ways.”
Planting the seeds of lifelong friendships
On a field full of football players, Seeni’s passion for the sport has also inspired many other young players. “Seeni was my neighbour. As a kid, I used to play football recreationally, so he asked me to join him. He’s taught me a lot of things over the years and I’ve improved a lot. Now, he’s not just a coach to me, but a fatherly figure as well,” said Lee Zhong Xuan, 23.
Faizul Fajar, 24, agreed with Zhong Xuan, “He really treats us like his own sons. Outside of training, we often talk about our personal problems with him. He will help us if he has a solution or give us words of advice.”
Lee Zhong Xuan (left) has been training under Coach Seeni (right) for the last decade and is currently serving his National Service. He keeps up with the game by training during his rest days.
The camaraderie behind football is one of the many reasons for the game’s nickname. The mango field has witnessed many blossoming friendships, like the one between Zhong Xuan and Faizul. “He looked very fierce when I first met him. Now, after 10 years, my impression of him is totally different,” recalled Faizul, who has been training under coach Seeni for 13 years.
Faizul has also made friends with fellow players over the years through their shared enthusiasm for the sport. “Every Sunday, we will gather here to play a few games and mingle around with the younger kids,” said Faizul.
Keeping the field fit for play
A great piece of land comes with great responsibility. Taking care of an open space as big as the mango field has proven to be quite the challenge, especially if it is meant for use as a football field which requires proper maintenance for safety and ease of play.
“When we first started using the field, it looked like a swamp. There was no grass and the ground was uneven. We had to call a contractor to patch it up with grass, and a roller to even out the grounds. Now, we maintain the field ourselves,” said Seeni.
“We drew the lines and put up these nets. Sometimes, when I’m not playing, I help to maintain the grass,” added Faizul.
Seeni and Fazli are content to keep the place up and running as long as people keep playing football. Ultimately, it is a passion project for the father-son team.
To Faizul, Seeni, and others alike who have spent many years on the mango field, the place is filled with cherished memories.
For Zhong Xuan, the field is an integral part of his training to become a good footballer. “Coach Seeni once said that if we could play on this field, then we could play on any field. Unlike artificial fields that are flat, this field is full of bumps that teaches me how to predict the movement of the ball better,” said Zhong Xuan.
Faizul added, “When I was young, I would be here from Monday to Sunday. The field taught me how to fall and get up again. I treasure this field so much because this is where I grew up.”
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