Stags chairman Teo Hock Seng says that the former England international, who is now plying his trade at Premiership strugglers West Ham, would be the ideal example of his view that old age does not matter in football.
Yes, if the 41-year-old were to play in Singapore, he would be more than welcome at Tampines Stadium.
The rather cruel 'DadÂ’s Army' label continues to stick to Tampines like random pieces of chewing gum to this writer's trainers. But Teo for one, says his sideÂ’s record in recent seasons speaks volumes about their team selection policy.
"We will be difficult to beat this season no doubt," he said in a media conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday.
"The team has had a few new players coming in but most of the players have been together at the club for a long time; the consistency and the understanding between a lot of the players is just incredible.
"In football, age doesnÂ’t count for much. Teddy Sheringham, if he were available, I would take him on!
"ItÂ’s about experience, they are still players of high calibre. Are you going to leave (36-year-old forward) Mirko (Grabovac) alone for ninety minues? I donÂ’t think so."
As part of their pre-season preparations, the 2006 RHB Singapore Cup champions went on a playing tour of Bangkok where they won one of three friendly matches.
And despite the one-in-three record, head coach Vorawan Chitavanich saw enough positives in his sideÂ’s performances ahead of their AFC Cup away match against IndiaÂ’s Mohun Bagan on March 6.
"We played well considering we did not bring the whole team over to Bangkok," the former Thai international said. "A few of the players took some time off after national team duty (at the Asean Football Championship) but what pleased me the most was the positive team spirit during the trip."
After a poor season by TampinesÂ’s high standards where they only won the RHB Singapore Cup last year, club Chairman Teo has targeted the S.League crown and AFC Cup as the two most important pieces of silverware for 2007.
"Of course, we also want to win the Singapore Cup again and also the (SingTel) League Cup. If we can win all four, why not?
"But the league remains very prestigious as far as we are concerned and we are also very serious of doing better in the AFC Cup. So those are our priorities. We have won the AFF Championship (in 2005 in Brunei) so we want to go one better (and win the AFC Cup)."
The already impressive-looking squad has been strengthened with additions in goal, defence and midfield.
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar joins from Woodlands Wellington and will challenge Hafez Mawasi as the backup goalie to former Singapore number one Rezal Hassan. Defender Shariff Samat has signed on from the Young Lions while the Stags midfield will no doubt benefit from the presence of midfielders Ridhuan Muhamad (from the Young Lions) and Sutee Suksomkit (from Home United).
And although the closest Noh Alam Shah has come to a holiday in the past two years was probably something he watched on the Discovery Travel & Living Channel, the 27-year-old says he is eagerly looking forward to playing again after sitting out much of last season on a knee injury.
"I am actually looking forward to playing as much football as I can this season," said the tournament top scorer and Most Valuable Player at the recently concluded Asean Football Championship.
"When I get a day off to rest, then thatÂ’ll be enough rest for me. The knee injury is still there and I am still taking painkillers but at least it is not affecting my game that much."
Tampines will host Home United in what looks like the pick of the SingTel League Cup preliminary round on Friday and club Vice-Captain Rafi Ali is expecting a tough contest.
"It will be a tough game," he said. "(Home United coach) VincentÂ’s (Subramaniam) teams are always full of fighters and I am not expecting FridayÂ’s game to be an easy one. But we are prepared for it and should be able to play well."
Tampines Rovers FC Squad
Goalkeepers: Rezal Hassan, Ahmadulhaq Che Omar, Hafez Mawasi
Defenders: Shariff Samat, Satria Mad, Sead Muratovic, Nazri Nasir, Zulkarnaen Zainal
Midfielders: Ridhuan Muhamad, Ibrahim Noh, Tan Kim Leng, Sutee Suksomkit, Shahdan Sulaiman, Santi Chaiyaphuak, Mustafic Fahrudin, Aliff Shafaein, Rafi Ali
Forwards: Noh Alam Shah, Mirko Grabovac, Peres de Oliveira
