KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — First villain, then saviour, and now, the subject of an Irish folk band’s tribute to his “fashion and passion” — tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s time as the owner of newly-promoted English Premier League could rival any dramatic turn of events on the field.
Tan’s exuberance and flamboyance in celebrating the club’s successes, particularly in the watershed victory over wealthy Manchester City this season, was what moved the Corrigan Brothers to pen the ditty to the Bluebirds’ owner, according to news portal Wales Online on Wednesday.
“When we saw Vincent Tan appear on the pitch, we thought: my God, this guy really has the spirit of the club — he’s sincere and delighted with himself and the way he appeared with the shirt over his business suit,” Ger Corrigan, who makes up the band with brothers Brian and Donnacha, told the portal.
“Vincent has the businessman style and sporting delight. He’s the only one who does it that way.”
The song features lyrics that laud Tan for his style and passion, with words such as “He’s a fashion icon, loves the big occasion/He’s got Cardiff soul, this great Malaysian” and “This fashion trend-setter/Is a passionate guy”.
According to the Corrigan brother, the tune has been well received here in Malaysia and even led to invitations for the group to perform for local television stations.
Tan became a major shareholder in Cardiff City in 2012 and arrived with unconventional ideas on how to revamp the club. Among the more controversial were plans to change the club’s colours from blue to red and replace their bluebird badge with a dragon.
The kit change was dropped initially, after fans protested, but has since come to pass. The dragon, however, remains on the backburner.
The Berjaya Corp chairman’s fortunes at the club has outshone that of another Malaysian magnate, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, whose QPR went in the opposite direction and was relegated from the Premier League the same season Cardiff was promoted.
The lyrics:
He’s a fashion icon, loves the big occasion
He’s got Cardiff soul, this great Malaysian
With his Cardiff shirt
Over his business tie
This fashion trend-setter
Is a passionate guy
The Cardiff supporters
Know he’s the man
With his big beaming smile
He’s Vincent Tan
Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Lan
He has passion and fashion – that’s Vincent Tan
They’ve beaten Man City
Playing with no fear
And already it seems
It will be a good year
Beat any team
They know they can
With their lucky mascot
Mr Vincent Tan
Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Lan
He has passion and fashion – that’s Vincent Tan
So bring on the season
Some amazing tales
Cardiff can be
The pride of Wales
With Vincent Tan
They know they are able
To keep moving up
The Premier Table
Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Lan
He has passion and fashion – that’s Vincent Tan
Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Loo Toora Lan
He has passion and fashion – that’s Vincent Tan
He’s a fashion icon, loves the big occasion
He’s got Cardiff soul, this great Malaysian
