"What's in your head, in your head? Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie"

FC Anyang have made enormous strides on and off the pitch in the last 12 months. As they find their feet in K League 1, Anyang know they need to make their home a fortress. The process has begun.

I'm not sure exactly when The Cranberries' Zombie became a stadium anthem, but it has to be one of the most suitable stadium songs on the menu right now. One Irish provincial rugby side - from Dolores O'Riordan's home town of Limerick - have been using the song for several years and it was then adopted as the unofficial anthem for the Irish national rugby team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Since then, it has taken over across the world, even reaching as far as South Africa.

So imagine my surprise when I took my seat in Anyang's new media box and heard an altered version of Zombie blaring from the sound system. And this wasn't just another song over the PA system. Zombie is Anyang's walk out song, with accompanying graphic displays on the big screen and across the new electronic advertising boards pitch side. It kicked ass, sounded great as it bounced around the exposed little stadium in the foothills of Gwanak Mountain. 

This song wasn't played last season when Anyang finished three points clear at the top of K League 2. But it is now part of the match day experience at the top flight's newest ground. The visit of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors wasn't Anyang's first home game of the year. However, it felt like it was. A new club anthem to go with the myriad of changes that have taken place at a club determined to ensure this K League 1 adventure is permanent.

Media makeover

Two changes the regular match-day going public will be unaware of relates to the media. Firstly, the club, with the help of the local City Hall, has constructed a new media room next to the main entrance under the East Stand. The old media centre was horribly outdated, a common feature in multi-purpose stadiums. It was small, cramped, and claustrophobic. The giant windows would have provided views of the pitch had they not been fogged out.

Now, in a highly unusual move, the media centre is accessed from outside the stadium walls. As Jeonbuk Motors' manager Gus Poyet made his was to the centre following his side's 1-0 win earlier this month, he was led out the side of the stadium and through the adoring Jeonbuk fans. I've never seen anything like that. The centre, though, is huge, spacious, and bright. The table where the managers sit wouldn't look out of place in a World Cup Stadium.

Inside the ground, the media seats have moved from the temporary pitch side stand to the original structure, under the only roof. This isn't ideal for the press corps but I doubt there will be too many tears shed. The temporary stands have a limited capacity, so by moving the press, the club can now accommodate more fans and VIPs. Anyang doesn't have executive boxes, so this is the only way they can entertain city officials and sponsors. 

It is difficult to put into words exactly how weird the new media section is, but I'll do my best. There are fan seats in the original structure, but they are opposite in the West Stand, and behind the goals in the North Stand. The press box is therefore completely isolated from the crowd. Between the laptops and the players are about 20 rows of red seats, a running track, and a temporary stand. From my seat at the Jeonbuk match, the view of the pitch was good but I had no sighting of the away fans. The noise felt so distant, as if we were watching the contest from a neighboring hill.

If there is one positive to this change, it is that the media are the only people in attendance under the cover a roof. During the rainy season last July, journalists were forced to watch some of the matches from the media centre because there was no shelter from the rainfall. And as readers might be aware, when it rains in July, it absolutely buckets down. All in all, I've no problem with the move.

Home Improvement

Aside from the music and a more professional media set up, Anyang, with the help of the local authorities, have also improved their team store. Since year dot, the club has sold merchandise out of a container. Like the media centre, this isn't rare but it was, nonetheless, insufficient. Now they have a brand new store next to media centre. Before the match with Jeonbuk, the queue to enter snaked around the closed ramps leading to the main stand, and through the car park. Most club stores in K League 1 and 2 are too small. In Bucheon, they sell jerseys and scarves next to beer and packets of chips. In Pohang, you need to register to enter. Anyang have jumped from the worst store in the top flight to the best in the wink of an eye.

The supporters' stand increased in size over the winter break with more standing room added. Anyang are known for their skinny flag collection and even that has jumped to a new level. At the second match of the season in Sangam, one supporter told me he was breaking into his new flag that afternoon. It looked great and clearly he wasn't alone.

Other improvements are noticeable. The number of food trucks inside the stadium has sky rocketed since promotion. And just as well; because even with the increase, lines are long. There were a dozen operational when Jeonbuk came to visit. Last season, there were five. Another significant change has been the overall make up. It doesn't take much to do this; new paint, better sound system, improved signage and less clutter. And yet, most clubs/city halls are reluctant to pay for cosmetic surgery.

Despite the glowing praise, Anyang Stadium isn't up to the standards required to maintain a long term professional club in the city. Whilst the work done to make it a better venue for football fans is impressive, this is a stadium within a stadium and that makes it feel lower league. Anyang's population of approximately 600,000 is bigger than four other K League cities (Jeju island, Pohang, Chuncheon, and Gimcheon) but given the lay out of their stadium, the club is unable to attract more corporate sponsors or have a tiered pricing structure depending on where you want to sit. Lost revenue.

Plans for the new stadium have been shelved indefinitely. Naturally, the City Hall is baulking at the price tag and citizens aren't happy about footing the bill. There are no other options in the area. Anyang Stadium is the only facility capable of hosting professional football. The best the club can do is to continue making minor alterations as time goes by to improve the experience and attract new fans. So far, that hasn't been a problem. Anyang averaged 5,500 spectators to the title last winter. They've almost doubled that number already, and that's with three home games played in difficult conditions.

 

Most impressively of all, Jeonbuk were limited to just two sections behind the goals on the north end. They are well supported. Almost 12 months to the day since Suwon Bluewings were accommodated in the entire stand, Anyang's support base has grown exponentially since, meaning the club is not as reliant on away supporters to boost attendances and fill out the gaps in their stadium.

FC Anyang 2025

With the necessary adjustments having taken place, all they need now is a good football team. Before the season started, I predicted Suwon FC would finish 12th (and therefore automatic relegation) with Anyang in 9th. Jeju SK and Daegu FC were my picks for 10th and 11th (the relegation play-off positions). Anyang are currently in 8th spot, with nine points from seven matches. Below them are Daegu, Jeju, Gangwon, and Suwon FC. 

Thomas Oude Kotte celebrates his goal against Gangwon FC. Thomas has been a solid pick up.

My thinking was the Anyang first XI (with everyone fit) is pretty good despite the relative lack of experience. Their entire squad is better than, at least, Suwon's. So it doesn't come as much of a surprise to see them push clear of the currently winless Suwon. The battle to avoid relegation will be tight and Anyang could very well get sucked into it. However, Ryu Byeong-hoon's side has shown they deserve to be here and they will pose a threat to anyone. 

Anyang have four more matches in April, with three at home. Suwon FC visit on April 19 with Jeju due in town the following weekend. The other two matches are glamour fixtures against Pohang Steelers (away) and Ulsan HD. I'm sure the team would bite your hand off for six points right now. All the signs point to summer officially arriving in time for Suwon's trip. With much warmer weather and an improved match day experience, Anyang just need a decent run of form to make Zombie the sound of the summer.