Hadiah Anugerah Pemain Bola Sepak Terbaik – Lawatan ke England!

Pada akhir tahun 1933, pengilang Tiger Beer iaitu Malayan Breweries Limited, telah mengumumkan peraduan untuk memilih pemain terbaik bola sepak Malaya untuk kali pertama. Pemenang ditentukan berdasarkan undian terbanyak melalui kupon dalam surat khabar Malaya Tribune bersertakan penutup botol Tiger Beer sebagai bukti pembelian.

Tiga pemain yang mendapat bilangan undi tertinggi termasuk A.L. Henry, Abdul Fattah (Dolfattah) dan Chia Keng Hock berjaya ke peringkat undian akhir, di mana A.L. Henry telah diisytiharkan sebagai pemenang setelah berjaya meraih undian popular terbanyak.

Sebagai pemenang, penyerang Selangor A.L. Henry dihadiahkan lawatan ke England selama empat bulan. Semasa di sana, beliau dapat menonton beberapa perlawanan liga dan kejuaraan Inggeris. Jelas baginya mutu dan tahap permainan di England jauh lebih baik daripada di Malaya dan menganggap Arsenal sebagai kelab terbaik dalam liga Inggeris.

Henry juga diberi peluang untuk berlatih di padang Arsenal dan mengikuti perbincangan taktikal kelab. Beliau juga berkesempatan mewakili kelab Golders Green untuk tiga perlawanan dan berjaya menjaringkan satu gol.

Malam ini akan berlangsung Majlis Anugerah Bola Sepak Kebangsaan 2024-25. Siapakah pilihan anda untuk pemain terbaik musim ini? 

Foto menunjukkan A.L. Henry (dua dari kiri) semasa lawatan beliau ke England.

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At the end of 1933, Tiger Beer manufacturer Malayan Breweries Limited announced a contest to decide on the best Malayan footballer. The winner was determined based on the largest number of votes through coupons found in the Malaya Tribune newspaper, that was to be sent in with a Tiger Beer cork as proof of purchase.

The three top-voted players: A.L. Henry, Abdul Fattah (Dolfattah) and Chia Keng Hock made it to the final stage of the competition, where A.L. Henry was declared the winner after securing the most votes.

As the winner, Selangor striker A.L. Henry was gifted with a four-month trip to England. During the trip, Henry attended several English league and championship matches. It was evident to him that the quality and level of play in England was much better than in Malaya. He even considered Arsenal to be the best club in the English league.

Henry was also given the opportunity to train on Arsenal’s pitch and follow the club’s tactical discussions. He then got the chance to play alongside Golders Green FC for three matches and managed to score one goal.

The Malaysian National Football Awards 2024-25 will be held tonight. Who is your pick for best football player of the season? 

Photo shows A.L. Henry (second from left) during his trip to England.