FORMER Fiji football star Henry Dyer has passed away in Nadi.
Dyer was regarded as one of Fiji’s finest footballers during the 1980s, becoming a household name through his outstanding performances for Nadi FC, Lautoka FC and Fiji national football team.
A versatile and hardworking player, Dyer etched his name into local football folklore in May 1985 when Fiji defeated Newcastle United F.C. 3-0 in an international friendly in at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The Newcastle side featured notable players including Peter Beardsley, John Ryan, Derek Bell and Steve Carney.
The famous victory over the English Premier League team remains one of the defining highlights of Dyer’s football career.
Dyer’s district and national teammate Nizamud Peter Dean said mention Dyer and football fans immediately remember his style, guile and football knowledge.
“It is hard to believe Henry is no more. He was a great footballer of his time, but an even better person, a brother to the Nadi Football Legends Club and a distinguished servant of football,” said Peter.
Peter said the sport only gets to witness a footballer like Dyer once in a lifetime.
“Dyer was an extraordinary footballer who was head and shoulders above average. Football has lost a true legend of the game.”
Born and raised in Lautoka, Dyer represented Drasa Avenue Primary School and Ba Provincial School during his early playing days.
Legendary football administrator Bobby Tikaram identified Dyer’s talent during a secondary schools match between Lautoka Secondary School against Nadi Secondary School in 1978 in Nadi.
Tikaram said Dyer’s standout performance caught his attention and during a pickup game months later at Nadi Airport grounds, he approached him to join the Airport Football Club of which Tikaram was an official.
“There was something about Dyer, I saw him during schools game and was impressed, it so happened he was playing with friends at the airport grounds and I talked into him about playing for my team and the rest his history,” said Tikaram.
He said Dyer relocated to Nadi in 1980 and soon earned a place in the district side, playing alongside some of the best footballers of that era.
“An amazing footballer, Dyer was a big stage player, after the Newcastle-Fiji game, Newcastle coach Jack Charlton identified him as Fiji’s best performer, sadly opportunity for outside world football failed him.”
“Nadi, Lautoka and Fiji has lost a true legend of the game, Rest High champ.”
For 2 seasons from 1988-1989, he featured for Lautoka, before returning to Nadi for the 1990-1991 seasons.
He retired from the sport in 1992.
“On behalf of Nadi Football Legends I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Dyer families,” said Tikaram.
