Arthur Leong (footballer) explained

Arthur Leong
Fullname:Arthur William Leong
Birth Date: 1931
Birth Place:Guangzhou, China
Death Place:Hamilton, New Zealand
Clubs1:Hamilton Technical Old Boys
Nationalyears1:1962
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalteam1:New Zealand

Arthur William Leong (1931 – 30 August 2023) was an association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.[1] Born in Guangzhou, China, he emigrated to New Zealand as a two-year-old and became the first ethnic Chinese player to represent New Zealand in football.[2]

As well as winning a Chatham Cup winners medal as captain of Hamilton Technical Old Boys on the 1st of September at The Basin Reserve, Wellington beating Northern 4–1, Leong played two official A-international matches for the All Whites in 1962 against visitors New Caledonia,[3] the first a 4–1 on 2 June 1962, his second a 4–2 win on 4 June.[4] They were to be his only official matches as New Zealand played no other official matches until 1967.

In December 2013, Arthur and his wife Maureen, a retired midwife, were both awarded Community Awards by the Hamilton City Council at a special ceremony attended by their extended family, for service to the community.[5]

Leong died in Hamilton on 30 August 2023, at the age of 92.[6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A-International Appearances - Overall . The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website . 22 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081007054503/http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1708.htm . 7 October 2008 . dmy .
  2. Web site: Asia:NZ Media Newsletter. Scoop. 13 September 2005.
  3. Web site: New Zealand International Matches 1904-2006 . 22 October 2009 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100215001152/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nz-intres.html . 15 February 2010 . . dmy .
  4. Web site: A-International Lineups. The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. 22 October 2009.
  5. News: Awards celebrate years of community service . 14 December 2013 . . 2 September 2023.
  6. News: 31 August 2023 . Former All White Arthur Leong dies . 31 August 2023 . The New Zealand Herald.
  7. News: Arthur Leong obituary . 2 September 2023 . . 2 September 2023.