Former Sarawak Coach Alan Vest Dies At 86

KUCHING, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Former Sarawak football coach Alan Vest, who guided the state team to some of its greatest achievements in the 1990s, died yesterday. He was 86.

Perth Glory Football Club, where Vest later served as assistant and interim manager, announced his passing in a statement on their official website today, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the man fondly known as “Vestie”.

“Perth Glory is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former club assistant and interim manager Alan Vest. Vestie served the club with distinction between 2001 and 2006. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends,” it added.

Originally from Barnsley in the United Kingdom, Vest first made his mark as a player in the upper tiers of English non-league football before moving to New Zealand and then Australia in the early 1970s.

An industrious forward, he earned 17 senior caps for New Zealand, scoring six goals, including one on his debut against New Caledonia in 1972.

Vest then turned to coaching and achieved legendary status in Malaysia when he guided Sarawak to lift the 1992 Malaysia FA Cup, the 1997 Malaysia Premier League title and the 1998 Charity Shield, thus cementing his legacy as one of the most successful foreign coaches in Malaysian football history.

Upon ending his stint in Malaysia, he joined Perth Glory in 2001 as assistant to Mich d’Avray, helping the club win two National Soccer League (NSL) Championships and two Premierships over the next three years.

During his time with Sarawak, Vest transformed them from a mid-tier team into a formidable force in Malaysian football, with the coach's time there from 1992 to 1998 being hailed by fans as the “Bujang Senang” era.

Under his guidance, Sarawak won the 1992 FA Cup, the 1997 Premier League title and the 1998 Charity Shield. 

His emphasis on discipline, tactical organisation and teamwork instilled a new level of professionalism in the state squad, inspiring confidence among both players and supporters.

He was also credited with identifying and nurturing local talents such as Pengiran Bala, Abdul Jalil Ramli, Abu Bakar Amran, Affendi Julaihi and Abdul Razak Ismail, who later became household names in Sarawak.

By blending home-grown players with foreigners like John Hunter, David Evans and Jeff Curran, Vest built a cohesive and balanced team capable of competing against the country’s top clubs.

-- BERNAMA