Perak FC’s 'sad and shocking' fall from grace

By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- Just four years ago, in 2018, they were crowned Malaysia Cup champions. Fast forward to the present, and Perak FC are at their lowest ebb.

The eight-time Malaysia Cup champions and, once, among the giants of Malaysian football, are struggling to get their act right as they find themselves at the bottom of the 10-team Premier League standings with no points on board after losing their first two matches.

For a team used to scaling the heights in the top-tier of the Malaysia League (M-League) in the Super League, they are now confined to fighting for crumbs in the second-tier Premier League.

While domestic football clubs have been strengthening their level of professionalism through the process of privatisation, Perak are still plagued by financial issues, including old debts, besides grappling with the problem of the owner’s ability to manage the squad.

Former Perak player and coach Abu Bakar Fadzim describes the fate that has befallen Perak FC as “sad and shocking”, adding that it has only elevated the level of concern among players, coaches, supporters and every individual involved with the team.  

“The main characters are the players, who signed contracts as professional players with Perak FC and never received what they were promised. So, surely it will affect their concentration, commitment and determination both in training and matches,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Speaking of his experience as a former player and as a coach of Perak and PKNP FC, Abu Bakar said planning and targets are the two crucial elements at the start of every season.

Apart from that, he said it is also wise to always spend within their financial capability in order to avoid wastage and piling on unexpected debts.

“That’s why it is important to have a knowledgeable management team to handle finances… the best examples being when Perak were helmed by the likes of (former Perak Football Association presidents) Datuk Seri Abdul Fuad Mat Nayan and Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin.

“They managed the team professionally and that helped the coaches, players and supporters’ club a lot in dealing with any problems. Perak, then, had an aura of invincibility about them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abu Bakar feels that what is required for Perak to change their fortunes is to be helmed by a capable owner in the administration of the team as well as having a management that is transparent, trustworthy and sincere.

Apart from that, he said Perak also need to be governed by an owner or a company with solid financial backing and cash flow for at least two years.

“The company must also be good at generating its own income through marketing, merchandising, ticketing (including season tickets), sponsorships and managing their academy.

“The academy can be opened to the public, especially to Perak supporters to send their children every week at a reasonable fee. The academy trainers can be former Perak players,” he said.

According to Abu Bakar, once all these efforts have an impact on the community as well as football in the state, it may then attract the interest of the state government to also channel funds to help further spur the growth of the sport in Perak.

Recently, Perak FC, who are embroiled in a change of owner, became the first club to be given a three-point deduction after failing to pay the remaining salary arrears of players and officials of both the first team and reserve side for last season.

-- BERNAMA