In the name of the football, the club and the ‘holy’ goal

Being the supporter of a football club is like giving a commitment that one would give to a close, long-term friendship or even relationship.

Of course, for some, it is almost a family-like commitment too. One cannot change clubs based on its fortunes on the pitch, because the club, like family, is for life.

But for many true blue (or red, depending on the club you support) fans, supporting a football club is more like being a follower of a religion.

One does not choose the club, but instead one is called or chosen to be a "devotee" of the club.

In the current environment in our country, where some despicable people, for their own self-serving purposes, stoke the fires of religious fervour and discrimination, I would like to think that football is a "safe religion" to follow and that which truly unites people of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds.

I have thought of this topic for a long time now, but I have been moved to write on it after the events of the past month.

On the road to a greater goal

Firstly, let me share about an Arsenal supporter from the United Kingdom, who made a life-changing decision, following a devastating personal loss.

Anderson's effort to raise money for charity and travel the world has been endorsed by Arsenal FC, who invited him for an interview at the Emirates Stadium last August.Peter Anderson, more popularly known as the Gooner On The Road (GOTR), lost his mother to breast cancer in February last year. She was 57.

He describes it as the lowest point of his life, that he was in a "bad place" and needed a new challenge to help him move on from the tragic loss he had suffered.

Anderson had his calling to be an Arsenal supporter while a young lad of 10, when by chance, he watched The Gunners defeat Italian side Sampdoria in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1995, on TV.

So, after more than 15 years of growing in his faith as a Gooner (as Arsenal supporters are called), and experiencing the best of the Arsene Wenger years, he decided to use his passion for Arsenal to aid in his healing.

Anderson, who turns 30 in November, made a promise to travel around the world - traversing the European continent, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Macau – watching every single Arsenal match live on TV with one or more Gooners in the host city.

At the same time, he made a commitment to raise funds for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his late mother, as she had passed away after losing the battle to that fast-spreading strain of cancer.

His goal is to raise US$15,000 and he is about 30% short of his goal at the moment, since starting his trek last August. There is a link to donate direct to the Foundation from his blog, www.goonerontheroad.com.

One unique thing about his travels is that he is couch-surfing his way across the various cities. Couch-surfing follows the principle of staying for free, "sleeping on the couch" at the home of a stranger.

In this case, he stays with Arsenal supporters based on the network of official Arsenal supporters clubs around the world. The simple rationale for this is to travel on a very low budget in order to keep to the spirit of the fund-raising effort.

He arrived in Kuala Lumpur on March 4 and has been staying over at my apartment, with occasional short breaks to other destinations in the country, namely Penang and Sabah.

With the away game against Chelsea tonight, Anderson would have watched his fourth Arsenal match while in Malaysia – 2 in KL, 1 in Penang and 1 in Kota Kinabalu.

He plans to be back in London for the last home match (2nd last match of the season) at the Emirates Stadium against West Bromwich Albion, on May 3.

Recognising his faith and passion for The Arsenal, the club invited Anderson to write about his travels for the official Arsenal.com website.

The Gooner On The Road with the official Arsenal Malaysia supporters club at a match viewing party.He will be moving on to Vietnam, China and Macau next, before returning to London. To complete his objective, Anderson will write a book about his travels, and if it is anything like Fever Pitch, that ultimate non-fiction account of the life of another Arsenal devotee, Nick Hornby, then I am sure Gooner On The Road (working title) will be another "bible" for current and future Arsenal fans to look forward to.

Passion of a pioneer

As much as I love Arsenal, I recognise and respect the passion of those who fervently support other football clubs too.

On that note, I wish to pay tribute to a man "who started it all" for the supporters' club movement in Malaysia.

His name is Laurence How, and he started the official Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC) back in 1992.

Sadly, I learnt of his passing last Saturday. He lost his long battle with leukaemia. He was 66.

Laurence was generous and helpful in his advice to me when I first wanted to start the Arsenal supporters club back in 2000. I will always appreciate his advice and support for the supporters' club movement in Malaysia.

I also must thank him for he fulfilled the wish of my late eldest brother who was a lifelong Manchester United supporter and was one of the first 100 to sign up for the MUSC in 1992. He passed away in 1994.

May you rest in peace, Laurence.

Tweet heard around the world

Now for the final tribute, this time to a faithful Liverpool supporter on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

His name is Andrew Nari and his daughter's tweet had been a heart-wrenching piece of news for anyone who read it, regardless of which team you supported.

Maira Elizabeth Nari tweeted last Sunday, during Liverpool's match at Old Trafford, "Daddy, Liverpool is winning the game. Come home, so you can watch the game! You never miss watching the game. It's your very first time. :')"

You can feel the love in that message, and after reading it on this website and on the official Liverpool FC website, I was almost moved to tears reading all the response from Reds supporters from around the world.

As a supporter of a football club, sacrifice is one of the key traits one has to demonstrate their faith in the club.

The flight MH370 chief steward had never missed watching his beloved Liverpool, as his daughter's message stated. That is enough for me to know where he stood as far as his faith in Liverpool is concerned, and for that I salute you Andrew Nari.

I also pray that all on board flight MH370 are safe. – March 22, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.