Liga Malaysia (1982–1988)


Liga Malaysia was an amateur football league in Malaysia that operated from 1982 until 1988. The league was managed by Football Association of Malaysia. Malaysian League was established in 1982 after an introduction of league trophy for the winner of league stage qualification round for the Piala Malaysia competition.
During its inaugural season in 1982, 16 teams participated in a single league-tier. All 13 state football teams, Kuala Lumpur, Armed Forces, and Brunei compete in the league. In 1985, Singapore joined the Piala Malaysia competition again and thus also compete for the Malaysian League.
A new format with the introduction of league stage was done in 1979 where eight top teams will qualified from the league to compete in knock-out stage of the Piala Malaysia.
The league was the nation's top-tier league until it was succeeded by the formation of Liga Semi-Pro in 1989 by Football Association of Malaysia.

History

Origin

The concept of an annual competition between the states in Malaysia goes back more than 95 years. In 1967 the Malaya Cup was replaced by the Piala Malaysia.
In 1979, FAM introduced a new format for Piala Malaysia with the introduction of league stage qualification round for the Piala Malaysia. This football league competition involving the representative sides of the state football associations. When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the Piala Malaysia.

League trophy introduction

It was not until 1982 that a league trophy was introduced to recognise the winners of the preliminary stage as the league champions. Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right. From 1982 until 1988 the league is an amateur status continue its purpose as qualifying round for Piala Malaysia and only in 1989 it has been succeeded by the formation of Liga Semi-Pro.

1982 season

In its inaugural season, the league consist of teams as below.
In its second season, the league consist of teams as below.
In its third season, the league consist of teams as below.
In its fourth season, the league consist of teams as below with the inclusion of Singapore. Although, Malacca was suspended from the league during the league season.
In its fifth season, the league consist of teams as below.
In its sixth season, the league consist of teams as below.
In its last season, the league consist of teams as below.
Below are the list of the top division amateur league champions from the introduction of league trophy in 1982 to 1988.
YearChampions
Runners-upThird place
1982PenangFederal TerritorySelangor
1983MalaccaPenangKelantan
1984SelangorPahangPenang
1985SingaporeJohorPahang
1986Kuala LumpurSingaporeSelangor
1987PahangKuala LumpurSingapore
1988Kuala Lumpur SingaporeKelantan