Although the facilities are world-class and the expertise is top-notch, with just about everything else on par with the competitive demands of modern-day football, success for Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) ─ on and off the pitch ─ doesn't just stem from the tangibles.
Building a football empire may require something more ─ a human touch, perhaps ─ but it’s definitely something JDT owner, HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor, seems to have in spades.
"If the 11 men on the pitch or 27 to 30 of them in the dressing room don't want to run for you, you will not win anything," HRH Tunku Ismail has said on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, while those words aren't what football fans would like to hear because it goes against what we believe football should be, it’s the reality of the situation; we've all read about player-power leading to managerial changes and poor results being the norm when managers lose the dressing room.
Knowing that it is what it is, the Crown Prince of Johor tackles this issue exceptionally well, judging by the way he handles his players, coaches, management and staff in general.
Sometimes it is the littlest things that make all the difference, such as knowing everyone’s names.
Having covered Malaysian football as a journalist for almost eight years and seen team managers or FA presidents not even knowing the names of their first 11, it was refreshing to see HRH Tunku Ismail knowing everyone by name — from the players, kitman and groundsman to those that handle the club's social media accounts.
The personal touch sees the owner regularly asking club personnel how they are, how are their families and so on; some players even seek his advice on personal matters.
Then there are the JDT family gatherings. Upon returning from pre-season, the coaches, players and staff were treated to a barbecue as a way of fostering camaraderie and during last year’s pre-season, the team enjoyed a day of thrilling rides on four-wheelers at Sand Dunes in Dubai and dined at the famous Nusr-Et.
Since the club aspires for greater things, work at JDT can be quite demanding and it is this human touch that encourages its personnel to put in that extra shift because it makes them truly feel like they’re a part of the organisation.
JDT is not a place where you perform a job and leave at the end of the day; it's a place where you want to be, to play your part and be a part of an ongoing legacy that achieves great things. ─ The Vibes, 14 January, 2021
Former journalist Vijhay is Head of Content at Johor Darul Ta'zim FC following stints with Malay Mail, Sports247.my, FourFourTwo Malaysia and FOX Malaysia. You may have also heard him on BFM Football or watched him on Media Prima's football programmes. Vijhay can be reached at @vijhayvick on Twitter.
