IT IS rare to find an Everton fan in a nation obsessed with the "Big Four" of English football - Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

But Tommy Low, chairman of the Singapore Everton Supporters' Club (SESC), believes that it is this rarity that makes them a close-knit and passionate bunch of fans.

"It is hard to get an Everton jersey in Singapore, so if you have one, it is very likely that you are a dedicated fan," said the 42-year-old.

The SEC have around 500 members who will have their sweet tooth satisfied when they get to see their beloved Toffees grace the National Stadium when Everton arrive for the Barclays Asia Trophy from July 15-18.

Most of the fans, who are known as Evertonians, started supporting the club in the 1980s when they were one of the top English sides, winning two league titles (1985, 1987) and the Uefa Cup-Winners' Cup (1985).

The SESC are the official affiliated supporters club of Everton in Singapore, with Low and club treasurer Keng Wei Terk having visited Goodison Park earlier this year to meet the club's ambassadors, as well as manager Roberto Martinez and the first-team players.

They have a Facebook page which is updated regularly with timings of matches and other events for the fans.

Their "home ground" is Victoria Bar at the Intercontinental Singapore, where they have gathered to watch Everton matches for the past two seasons.

And although the SESC may not boast membership numbers to rival those of the other supporters' clubs, they have been gaining popularity among the younger generation, which Low attributes to the club's "attractive style of play" under Martinez.

Honorary secretary Eugene Beh believes that the SESC are on the rise.

For instance, The Liverpool Echo, a daily newspaper on Merseyside, interviewed Low when he visited Goodison Park.

"Everton tend to be quite a low-profile club but now everyone wants to interview us," said Beh.

"It's good because then so-called 'closet Evertonians', who support the club on their own, can get to know about us due to this increased media presence.

"Overseas fans can also just Google us and find our Facebook page."

The executive committee of the SESC have already planned a host of activities when the Toffees arrive in Singapore, starting with a rousing welcome for the team at Changi Airport and a session for fans to meet the first-team players.

They will also be hosting a futsal tournament on July 18, the day of the Barclays Asia Trophy final.

Eight teams have already signed up, with three from Singapore and five from overseas, including one from Britain.

Everton FC ambassadors and former players such as Graeme Sharp and Graham Stuart will be invited to present the prizes at the tournament.

For Low, it will be the second time that he is watching his team play live but he is just as excited as anyone else.

"We want to get to know Evertonians from other regions as well," he said.

"All of us are really looking forward to it."

isaacneo@sph.com.sg