A.L. Henry - The Best Footballer In Malaya

    On 19 December 1933, a person known as A.L. Henry won a Tiger Beer Competition and was awarded as "The Best Footballer In Malaya". It was every football player dream in Malaya at that time. This competition was held by Malayan Breweries Ltd in searching the best footballer from Malaya to be awarded with this great title. It was the first competition in Malaya of its kind and A.L. Henry was the first person from Malaya to be awarded with this title of its kind. This competition was based on counting of votes from supporters. A.L. Henry was a Selangor state player won 28,617 votes. Meanwhile, two Singapore players that were Chia Keng Hock won 27,293 votes and Dolfattah won 21,342 votes. The winning of A.L. Henry was a quite shock because in the early round of counting votes, Chia Keng Hock and Dolfattah were leading A.L. Henry. However, the final result of counting votes turned out that A.L. Henry was "The Best Footballer In Malaya". A.L. Henry was a leader of Tamilians' Physical Culture Association (TPCA) football team in 1933. On that year, he bring his team to the top level by winning Selangor A.F.A League without losing any game and also won the Watson Shield without losing any game. Through this great performance, he managed to be absorbed as as Selangor state player and play for Selangor in HMS Malaya Cup 1933. He also played in other friendly football tournament which impressed the supporters with his great performance and football skills. Furthermore, he also played cricket, badminton and rugby for TPCA and Selangor state team. He was just a government clerk, but his talent in sports was marvelous and honoured by his supporters.

A.L. Henry.

TPCA football team 1933 in golden era.

    By winning this competition, he won a trip to England and played in several football clubs. He departed to England on 19 January 1934 with P. & O. R.M.S. Naldera ship. In England, he played in Athenian League for Golders Green Club, one of the top amateur club in England. During his stay with this club, he managed to score a grand goal and earned a title as the best forward. He scored twice in three matches. Then, in Highbury, he was trained with Arsenal and was invited as an Arsenal Reserves. He learnt many things about football when he was in England. In addition, he also watched every football big match including international match between England and Scotland. He stayed in England for four months.

P. & O. R.M.S Naldera ship

Athenian Football League emblem.

Golders Green Club match card.

    When A.L Henry returned back to Malaya, he was appointed as a captain of Selangor HMS Malaya Cup team from 1935 until 1939. In 1935, 1936 and 1938, Selangor lifted the HMS Malaya Cup as a champion and he was the captain. For the first time in HMS Malaya Cup final, Singapore lost to Selangor in their own home ground of Rifle Range Road with a result of 0-2 in 1936 HMS Malaya Cup final and A.L. Henry was the Selangor captain. A.L. Henry was a successful captain in bringing Selangor team to achieve three HMS Malaya Cup victories after he came back from England. He was "The Best Footballer In Malaya" and  it was undeniable until today. He is also an uncle to Edwin Dutton who follow his uncle footsteps by playing for TPCA and Selangor and being awarded "The Most Popular Footballer" in 1954. Edwin Dutton also was a Selangor captain.

Edwin Dutton.