The Roaring Sixties in Michaelian Soccer............ 

The sixties saw Michaelians making their forays into international soccer. There was as yet no proper stadium in Ipoh so Ipoh Padang remained the main arena where  the high drama of league games was played. The evening matches drew enthusiastic crowds and Michaelians were always there to  be dazzled by the  sheer talent of the local and foreign players. Among the colourful teams in action were the Irish Hussars, the Royal Devonshire Yeomanry, the Gurkha Rifles, the Ramblers, Cheng Wah Club, the Kinta Indians (KIA) and the Turf Club Trotters.

The Khoo Brothers Khoo Luan Khen played for Malaysia in the Munich Olympics (1964). He went on to become Hongkong’s national coach.His brother Khoo Lee Khen played for Perak in the 1960s.

In the absence of television (which only arrived in Ipoh in 1964), Ipoh Padang provided all the football thrills we needed, as we were the closest school to that venue. Yes, it yielded positive results as Michaelians played actively for  the local teams and  some of them went on to achieve fame in the gallery of Malaysian international football..........  
Pic

The Michaelian soccer team 1964 with Mr Albert Teh and Brother Ambrose Loke. (Far left). At far right, is Mr Jinadasa (coach).  

Pic

The Three Vincents who brought soccer glory to SMI in  the 1960s.

Vincent Joseph (left) who studied at St Michael's in the 1960s was a first rate Burnley Cup player for Perak and later Selangor. He was also a regular for the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) together with Malaysian soccer maestro Soh Chin Aun. 

 Vincent Arokiadoss (Michaelian 1970s) represented  Perak and Malaysian youth at soccer in the 1970s. The pinnacle of his soccer career was when he was selected to play for Malaysia U-21 in the Asian Youtj Soccer Tournamnent in Teheran (1970). Vincent was a key player for Kinta Indian Association and the Telecoms in the Ipoh League. He was also attached to the JOA (Jabatan Orang Asli) in Gombak,Kuala Lumpue until hs retirement from the government service.

SMI soccer XI  1968 with Brother Ambrose Loke (Standing 2nd Left)  and Coach Mr Jinadasa (Standing Extreme Right)

Another explosive player in the 1960s was Ng Boon Bee of later badminton fame. He was a prototype of the future Maradona – a stocky, powerful, unstoppable attacker who shattered defences and had  devastating shots.....