Rafzan Ramli’s most memorable moment supporting Everton was last season, as he was among the lucky ones to be featured in the unveiling video of the club’s home kit.
While it was an enjoyable moment, it was also “torture” as he had to keep his involvement a secret.
“The Everton Supporters Club of Malaysia nominated me to be part of the unveiling video, as Everton wanted talented fans from around the world to be a part of it,” said the technician, whose hobby is woodworking.
“For the video, I made a wooden clock in the shape of Prince Rupert’s Towers (which appears on the Everton crest) based on the ‘dazzled pattern’ of the kit.
“The hardest part was that I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and I could not tell my friends about the jersey.
“It was killing me, as I was so excited. I could only share the story after the unveiling video was made public.”
The design for last season’s jersey was inspired by the role of Liverpool and its docks in painting naval ships with inventive and bold camouflage patterns during the First World War.
The use of contrasting shapes, tones, and colours proved highly effective in disguising a vessel’s size, speed, distance, and heading, making it difficult for German submarines (U-boats) to track and plot a firing solution on these vessels at sea.
Rafzan, who hails from Gombak, about 20km from the heart of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, said he was “forced” to be an Everton fan as his elder brother supported Liverpool during the 1986 English FA Cup final.
The match was on Malaysian television via the Road to Wembley programme. Rafzan and his brother Rohaizad watched the game together.
“Back then, there were hardly any football matches on television. One of the few programmes was Road to Wembley,” said Rafzan.
“We watched all the episodes that culminated with Liverpool playing Everton in the final. As he was supporting Liverpool, I had to choose Everton.
“It seems fated that we supported the teams as the clubs are like brothers, as they are from the same city.”
Although Everton lost that final 3-1, Rafzan stuck by the team, a decision he has never regretted.
He visited Goodison Park in 2015 with his family to watch his beloved club beat Burnley 1-0..
“I hope to visit the club when the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock opens in 2024,” said Rafzan, who believes Frank Lampard can bring the good times back to the club.
“Lampard had a torrid first season, as he could not bring in new players after replacing Rafael Benitez (on Jan 31, 2022).
“He started slowly this season, but I can see the identity he is trying to bring to the club.”
Everton failed to win its first six games of the season but has since won two matches before losing last time out to Manchester United.
It sits 12th in the table with 10 points after nine matches, and faces Tottenham on Sunday (12.30am).
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Brentford vs Brighton (3am)
Leicester vs Crystal Palace (7.30pm)
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest (10pm)
Fulham vs Bournemouth (10pm)
SUNDAY
Tottenham vs Everton (12.30am)
Southampton vs West Ham (9pm)
Manchester United vs Newcastle (9pm)
Leeds vs Arsenal (9pm)
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (9pm)
Liverpool vs Manchester City (11.30pm)
