In 1906 Jendarata Rubber Company was founded in the Hilir Perak District located 10 miles away from Teluk Intan Town (formerly know as Telok Anson). As time passed by, a number of estate companies were amalgamated and United Plantations Berhad was formed in 1917. It has now reached 100 years and is a well known fact that this is one of the best operating and administrated plantation companies in Malaysia, giving welfare to the employees.
Thus a football field was given to every estate to provide recreations for the employers and employees and soon all the managers and planters, mostly foreigners, particularly the Danish were deeply involved in this sport.
All estates and divisions have a maximum size football field and they were very well maintained. Underground piping system was set up for Jendarata field in 1940s.
In the early fifties (1953) Jendarata Football Team was an outstanding team in the district, and the company decided to register the sports body with the Registrar of Society, bearing the registration No of PPP/PK/43/53. During this time our great beloved, the late Y.B.Tan Sri Dato’ Seri B. Bek Nielsen (then known as Bek), an enthusiast and also a member of the team, played a very active role, giving full support to the team. Together with Tan Sri, we must also never forget Mr. H.V.Speldewinde, who at that time, a manager of Sg Bernam Estate, had given great support to the team. He recruited players, mostly residents of Sungai Bernam, ranging from conductors to school teachers etc. Under his guidance, advice and influence, he managed to train a player, our late Mr Gunasegaran who had rose from state player to national player in 1957. Our special thanks to these three great people.
Gradually our management began to Malaysianise. Younger generations left the estate for the town areas and the number of players started to decline. Most of the football fields were not in use but they were well kept.
Nevertheless, In the 60s, Jendarata Estate and Sg Bernam was ranked the best team in the district. It is always a practice to have inter-estate and inter-state tournaments at district levels. Jendarata went up to the inter-estate level at national level in 1966 and played for the final at Merdeka Stadium with Johor River Tex Estate. Our team became champion, beating them 3-1.
In 1989, United Planters Association of Malaysia (UPAM) held another inter-estate football tournament. Jendarata Estate did fairly well, qualifying for the state champion and national level quarter final.
In 1991, great changes took place in our UP football team. Our late Y.B. Tan Sri B. Bek Nielsen’s two sons, Carl and Martin decided to join the football team. With their football spirit, effort, support and encouragement, the Jendarata team started to move forward vigorously. Jendarata’s name came up top in football. Appropriate needs and proper training were given to the team. Today the team is taking part in the country’s top level tournaments.
From 2001 to 2004, we have taken part in the FAM Cup (a tournament for top clubs in the country) and became the runner-up in the 2004 FAM Cup Final. We were promoted to play in the LIGA PREMIER 2005. It is great to say that the foundation for these achievements goes to our great beloved, the late Y.B.Tan Sri B. Bek Nielsen with his endless efforts and support to ensure that the team participated in the FAM Cup.
We are proud to say Jendarata Football Team is the first club from a plantation in Malaysia to participate in the nation top level football tournament-LIGA PREMIER. Eventhough this is the first time the team is participating in this prestigious league, we have achieved fifth placing in the above league. With less budget and less experienced players, we consider this to be a major achievement.
