Ariff Ahmad is among a minority of Singaporeans who support less popular EPL clubs. He has been a die-hard Middlesbrough fan since 1994.
But it was not always this way. The 41-year-old was initially a Manchester United fan but swopped the Red Devils for the red of Boro over 20 years ago.
He explained: "Growing up, I was a United fan because I loved the captain, Bryan Robson. When he made the switch to Boro in 1994 to become our player-manager, I still supported him.
"I also became passionate about Middlesbrough. I realised then what it meant to be behind a football club.
"It's easy for anyone to support the top teams who will always win trophies but it takes a whole other level of passion to back a smaller club - it's much more meaningful."
The Malaysia-born senior IT officer, who moved to Singapore in 2000, set up the official Middlesbrough Singapore Supporters Club 12 years ago. The 50-strong fan club - a mix of locals and Teessiders - gathered at the Boomarang Bistro & Bar earlier this month to watch the newly promoted side play - something that was always difficult for them to do in the past.
"The team were in the (Football League) Championship for the last few years and those matches weren't always on TV. This year, we're all very happy that we can get together and enjoy seeing Boro play live as a proper fan club," said Ariff.