MJ Vincent, who celebrated his 90th birthday on January 22, an iconic name in football development in the nation, passed away this afternoon (July 13).
Vincent who started his football love with Selangor, where he played the game, was an official with the FA of Selangor, team manager of the Selangor Burnley Cup team (now Razak Cup) and referee, was among the founder members of Federal Territory Football Association (now Kuala Lumpur FA) in 1974 with others like Datuk K. Rasalingam, Datuk Goh Ah Chai, Hamzah Muhamad, Shariff Mustafa, Jeswant Singh and T. Manickarajah.
I have known Vincent from the time I started writing in 1977 and my first trip to London was with him, when I was invited by the KLFA President, late Tan Sri Elyas Omar, to join and report to the KL 1974 victorious Razak Cup team during their one-week training stint in Birmingham City, under coach Patrick Wright.
I last spoke to him on his 90th birthday and even sent a video message which his daughter Jenny, had prepared for her dad and had requested me to say a few words.
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| Vincent watching the video message I sent to him on his 90th birthday of Jan 22 |
Indeed, a gentleman to the core and was involved in the game till extremely late in his age – actively being involved with the Ex-Internationals Association.
Few may now this, but Vincent has been credited for giving the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari his career path in the game.
Much is said about the late Mokhtar Dahari and that no player like him has come through since.
But do the very people who talk about ‘Super Mokh’ know that he was not discovered by design but by chance — because of a club coach who felt Mokhtar had the talent and recommended him?
In my interview with Vincent seven years ago for the New Straits Times, the Selangor team manager of the Burnley Cup (now Razak Cup) team, said Mokhtar was introduced by a coach of a club team by the name of Wan.
“Wan told me there was this player whom he thought was an excellent player.
“I told him to bring him for trials and the rest is history,” said the then 83-year-old Vincent.
“Without doubt, if not for this coach, Mokhtar would have been discovered later or never. This coach, who acted as a talent scout indeed played a key role,” added Vincent when talking about talent scouting in the interview.
Mokhtar himself in an exclusive interview to Suresh Kumar and Shanmuganathan for the Seladang magazine (Victoria Institution school magazine) in 1982, had acknowledged Vincent, when he asked if he was, he was popular in school:
“No, no not exactly. Well, that came only after I left school. It was
during a trial to play with the Selangor Junior Squad at the Piala Razak tournament. Later, my manager, Mr M J Vincent, recommended that I join the
senior squad and from then everything started coming my way.”
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| MJ Vincent the team manager being hoisted by Selangor team members after their Burnley Cup victory in 1974 |
There were many other youngsters whom Vincent had put them on their football path and among them was Datuk Yap Nyim Keong, the former FA of Malaysia general-secretary and current secretary of Mini Football Malaysia (MiFoM).
This is what Yap had to say:
“He was also my manager
when I captained the victorious Selangor Burnley Cup team in 1970. He was the
one who approached me to come for training with the Selangor team. I was
disillusioned because I was dropped in the last minute from the team the year
before. An older player was preferred on top of me, although I was in the
starting 11 in all the friendly matches. My name was also in the souvenir
programme.
He assured me then that this time was different
and made me the captain despite the presence of other senior players who
represented Malaysia in the Asian Youth competition. We remained good friends
throughout and I have great respect for Mr Vincent, the gentleman. It is incredibly
sad that I did not get to meet him because of the pandemic. May his Soul RIP.
Another player from Kuala Lumpur. T. Gopinath Naidu had this to say:
“Good man and manager. Sad to see him go.
Thanks for everything sir. My manager for many youth tournaments from 1988-1992.
We love you sir.”
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| Vincent second from right with the KL youth team |
Probably his daughter Jenny best sums up
Vincent’s life when she wrote this message for her dad on his 90th birthday:
“Dearest Dad. I have so many things to say to you
as you turn 90 today. You have been such an inspiration to many young and old.
You have been a father figure to many young football players, inspiring them to
be their best. You have brought your football managerial ways to our
round-table family meetings too. Football runs through your veins and the
passion you have for it has kept you going all this time. A heart attack in
Bangkok while refereeing a game in 1969 did not set you back but you continued
with football.
Mum always and still complains that you were never home while we were growing up, but you know what, I get it now! When you have that passion, it truly drives you. I recall going to many football matches with you. From Merdeka Tournaments to Malaysia Cup matches. You have been on the team organising the Merdeka football tournaments when teams stayed at the Federal Hotel.
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| MJ Vincent standing fourth from left with the FA of Selangor Council members with the Malaysia Cup |
The football life continued even after your retirement from the government service. Going to the Kuala Lumpur Football Association was a thrill for me when you worked there. Being a football player from a young age you have kept up with staying fit. I remember those days when I waited in the car for you as you did the long Taichi sessions at the Selangor Chinese Recreation Club. After moving to Taman Desa, both mum and you have always kept fit by walking to the nearby park. Pottering in the garden being a favourite past time for many years. Even a bypass in 1997 never stopped you from being involved in the Ex-International Malaysian Football Association together with Uncle Clement Soosay.
MJ Vincent standing far left with ex-internationals including the likes of late Mokhtar Dahari in an undated photograph
Through all of this you lead a very colourful life with many loved ones
who bring so much joy to you. Happy 90th birthday D, may God Almighty continue
to bless you in abundance and I thank the Lord for every day that I can be with
you.
Dad @ M.J. Vincent you are a legend, a treasure to the
football growth in Malaysia, so special to all your family and friends. Loving
you always, Jenny.”
REST IN PEACE VINCENT. MAY THE LORD GRANT YOU ETERNAL REST.
YOU MAY BE GONE, BUT FOND MEMORIES AND YOUR WORK FOR FOOTBALL WILL FOREVER
BE REMEMBERED.
