[AS PUBLISHED IN MALAY MAIL]
Distance no hindrance for Sivan
Distance no hindrance for Sivan
By Jordan Barnes
SIVAN JOHN woke up at his usual time of 6am yesterday to catch the KTM from Klang to KL Sentral.
Only it was different.
Sivan had a spring in his step, a smile plastered from ear to ear and a hoarse voice.
Why?
Just hours prior he was...
Speechless.
The insurance firm assistant manager cheered on Huddersfield's fairytale promotion to the Premier League at Wembley, London 13,000km away at his home in Klang.
Sivan was in ecstasy.
"It is absolutely unbelievable," he said.
"I could barely focus at work (yesterday). I could not control my anxiety.
"I just watched the clock ticking and couldn't wait to see the team play in the final."
Huddersfield beat Reading 4-3 on penalties in Championship playoff showdown.
Sivan has supported West Yorkshire club after visiting his uncle there in 2011.
Now he plans to return to watch games.
"I've never been back to UK because of work commitments," said a jubilant Sivan, who was fortunate Astro aired the final after being unable to watch his team all season.
"My uncle is a Liverpool fan so hopefully we can go watch when the teams play at Anfield."
The big question.
Can Huddersfield survive among the Premier League big boys?
"The club needs to spend on reinforcements because we are a small fish in a big pond," said Sivan.
"But I have faith in Huddersfield to do what it takes.
"Yes, we can!"
Huddersfield's return to the top division after a 45-year absence seemed just as unlikely as having an avid fan here in Malaysia.
> Sivan's story has been published by UK press.
> The Terriers were in League One (third tier) of English football when he adopted them as his club.
> He stays in touch with fellow Huddersfield fanatics around the globe.
"With social media I stay in touch with other supporters,” said Sivan.
"I've even spoke with fans in Thailand, Singapore and there's a man from Huddersfield working in Pahang.
"But now I can finally banter with my friends here about Premier League."
Colourful character Sivan has already taken Huddersfield to dizzy heights with a mission of his own.
He wore the club's blue and white colours 4,095.2m above sea level atop Mount Kinabalu, Sabah.
He has accrued a 1,000-strong Twitter following based on his love for the Premier League newcomers,
Follow him at @SivanJohn_.
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