He was the club’s vice-president, its football groundsman, grasscutter, janitor and biggest cheerleader.
“Uncle Lee”, who helped UKRC build strong bonds with the community, died last Wednesday from Covid-19. He was 71.
The tributes from footballers and officials from other clubs here and abroad stated the same about Lee – that he was a kind, generous person and an exemplary volunteer.
UKRC president Andrew Gopal said Lee, who operated a car air-conditioning service workshop, was a devoted club member for over 40 years.
“He always made it fun, safe and fulfilling days out for everyone during football matches,” he said.
Gopal said the UKRC field was Lee’s priority and the hundreds of matches there were played on a high standard pitch maintained by him.
One of the events that was close to Lee’s heart was the UKRC International Soccer 9’s tournament. The last of the 17 editions was held in 2019.
“He began the preparation of the field three months before each tournament to ensure it was at its most playable. He selected the soil, bought the grass to replace patches, cut the grass to the correct length with a lawnmower and watered it,” Gopal said.
He said Lee received wide praise for his excellent groundskeeping and for sacrificing time with his family and business to get the field ready.
Compliments came from the likes of two former Malaysian captains, the late M Chandran and Soh Chin Aun and several other ex-internationals who featured in a charity match for the late national goalkeeper Ong Yu Tiang in 2002.
Lee also played a big role in UKRC’s efforts to raise about RM100,000 for the medical treatment of club member Ong who died later that year from leukemia.
Gopal said Lee’s thankless tasks also ranged from preparing drinks on match day, readying jerseys for the UKRC veteran’s team and washing them after each game.
“Off the pitch, he looked into the security of the clubhouse, arranged tables for hospitality events, washed the hall, fixed what was broken and put out the bins although we had a caretaker.
“And he was always there to provide a warm welcome to visiting teams and answer any questions from new fans of any age,” said Gopal.
He said Lee helped introduce several family-friendly initiatives, with children at the forefront.
Lee was actively involved in the UKRC junior football development programme from 2005 until 2013 before the field was taken away by the Selangor government.
Gopal said Lee was heartbroken when UKRC lost the field, which was later abandoned by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.
“However, Lee ensured the international soccer 9’s (tournament) was moved to a nearby stadium to avoid the players’ disappointment of not having a proper field,” he said.
Gopal said Lee’s contribution and dedication to UKRC was irreplaceable. “He built a name for UKRC over decades and to anyone who knew UKRC, Lee would be first in their mind. Wherever he went, he walked proud with his UKRC T-shirt on. That was his life.”
Gopal said the soccer 9’s would be renamed UKRC-Uncle Lee Soccer 9’s in memory of Lee’s contributions and legacy.
Lee’s eldest son, Brendan, said his father’s dream was to reclaim the UKRC field, to rebuild the clubhouse and serve the community better. “We are sad that he will not be around to see his dream come true,” he said.
Lee is survived by his wife, Janet Tan, sons Brendan and Stanlee, daughter Wiv Lee, and four grandchildren.