The Vest-kept secret behind Sarawak’s rise

AS Malaysian football transitioned from its amateur roots into the semi-professional era in the early 1990s, a handful of foreign coaches helped shape the domestic game.

It was not just through tactics, but through character and conviction.

Among them were Milous Kvacek, Michael Urukalo, Ken Worden and Alan Vest. Each left a mark, but Vest’s impact on Sarawak was singular.

Vest, who passed away on Oct 31 last month at the age of 86, was more than a coach. He was a visionary.

His arrival in Sarawak in 1991 came at a time when the team had been relegated to Division Two.

Vest did not just revive Sarawak but redefined it.

The FA of Sarawak (FAS) broke tradition by giving Vest full control as both manager and coach – a bold move in a football culture that often favoured internal appointments.

After a closed-door meeting on New Year’s Day 1991, Vest became Sarawak’s fourth coach from outside the East Malaysian state, following Alan Bradshaw, Chow Kwai Lam, and Mohamed Che Su.

But unlike his predecessors, Vest was given full command and answerable only to the council.

Vest’s appointment marked a bold shift. While other teams clung to tradition, Sarawak broke new ground by hiring a foreign manager-coach and embracing professionalism.

His arrival marked a turning point. He gave Sarawak structure, belief, and a blueprint for success after the decline during the Ngap Sayot era.

Vest had earlier turned down a lucrative offer from Selangor, choosing Sarawak for the challenge and the autonomy.

Led by deputy president Taha Ariffin (later Datuk), Vest’s first order of business was to rebuild the squad – not with stars, but with professionals who fit his philosophy of discipline, teamwork, and tactical clarity.

He recruited Australian players John Hunter, Jeff Curran, and David Evans as each handpicked for their grit and pedigree.

Hunter, a six-foot striker, had scored 31 goals in 17 matches in Australia’s league and was named its best player.

Vest’s training sessions were intense and purposeful.

“At times I’m depressed, other times I’m impressed,” he had said, reflecting on the early days.

He corrected positional chaos and instilled a sense of structure that had long been missing.

Sarawak’s transformation was swift. The team, made up of the core of the team that won the gold medal in the 1990 Malaysia Games, began climbing the league standings, qualifying consistently for the Malaysia Cup, and earning a reputation for aerial dominance and fast counterattacks.

The defining moment came in 1992, when Sarawak lifted their first major trophy by winning the FA Cup after defeating Kuala Lumpur 2-1 in front of 35,000 ecstatic fans.

Hunter and Sazali Mohd Ramli scored in quick succession, and the state declared a public holiday to celebrate.

Vest mentored players, built character, and created a culture of unity.

Jalil Ramli, one of Sarawak’s standout players, flourished under Vest and later became his assistant.

Jalil, famed for his long throw-ins into the box, would go on to lead Sarawak to their first-ever Malaysia Cup final in 1999 before losing to Brunei, carrying forward the same humility and discipline that defined Vest’s tenure.

“I owe it to Alan,”Jalil recounted.

“He did a lot for the team and I learnt much from him. Making the final was a gift to him.”

“Until today I treasure all his coaching notes and jottings he gave me,” said Jalil, who served under Vest as a player, captain, and later assistant coach before taking over the team in 1999.

Jalil wrote a touching letter of condolences on behalf of former Sarawak players to Vest’s widow, Lillian, saying that “Mr. Vest was more than just a coach to us as he was a true leader, motivator, and father figure who transformed Sarawak football into a force to be reckoned with.

“Under his guidance, we experienced not only success on the field but also learned invaluable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and integrity that continue to inspire us to this day.”

“His passion for the game, his commitment to excellence, and his genuine care for every player left an indelible mark in our hearts.

“We will forever cherish the memories of his time with us – his fiery spirit on the sidelines, his belief in our potential, and his unmatched dedication to the team and to Sarawak football.”

Vest’s spirit still echoes in Sarawak’s heartbeat.