Terry Pathmanathan
Singaporean footballer
About Terry Pathmanathan
Born 1956. Terry Pathmanathan is a Singaporean association football player and association football coach.
Thambiah "Terry" Pathmanathan (born 9 February 1956) is a former Singapore international footballer who played as a defender. He played for Singapore and Pahang in the Malaysia Cup. Towards the end of his career, he played for Tampines Rovers in the inaugural S.League season in 1996, retiring from playing professionally in the same year.
Football career
Club career He played generally in the role of sweeper, as the last man in defence. He was renowned for his poise on the ball and impeccable reading of the game. He was nicknamed "Captain Marvel", for his leadership qualities, and one of his trademark moves was the long throw-in. Among his national teammates, he was nicknamed "Ganesan's favourite" as one of the privileged ones under N. Ganesan when Ganesan was vice president of Football Association of Singapore.
In 1982, Pathmanathan left Singapore FA to join Pahang FA. In 1983, he won the Malaysia Cup with the team. He played with Pahang till 1987 when his contracts end on 24 April 1988. Pathmanathan then rejoined Singapore FA with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
In 1997, Pathmanathan joined National Football League Division 2 club Tessensohn Khalsa Rovers as a player-coach.
International career In 1984, Pathmanathan was recalled to the national team for Merlion Cup. He was initially unable to join the team until he was released by Pahang.
Management career In 1982, Pathmanathan worked as a supervisor at a mining company at Pahang In 1997, he was an account manager with DNC Advertising.
Pathmanathan is currently a senior manager with the Singapore Sports Council.
Personal life Pathmanathan was offered Malaysian citizenship by the Sultan of Pahang, Ahmad Shah of Pahang, who was also the President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM). Pathmanathan took up permanent residency instead.
Profile and achievements 1978, Called into national team 1981, Finals of Malaysia cup lost to Selangor Late 1981 appointed captain of national team until 1992 1985, 1989, Silver medalist at Sea games Thailand and Malaysia 1985, Merlion Cup Singapore, Joint Champions with Yugoslavia 1983, Voted most exciting player in Malaysia, equivalent to footballer of the year 1991, Sea games Philippines, Bronze medalist 1992,Voted Singapore footballer of the year 1990, Finals of Malaysia cup with Singapore squad 1992, In the Tiong Bahru squad in the Singapore Premier league 1997 to 2004, Player coach for Khalsa and Singapore Recreation club in Singapore Div 1 2005, National UNDER 21 Head coach and also assistant coach to young lions 2009, National UNDER 23 Head coach and led the team to Laos Sea games. Won the bronze medal with youngest team ever of average age 19yrs.
Honours Singapore FA
Malaysian Cup : 1980
Pahang FA
Malaysian Cup : 1983
Orders and special awards
Pinak Jasabakti Kerja : 1985
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Important facts
People in Terry Pathmanathan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Terry Pathmanathan's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Terry Pathmanathan?
Singaporean footballer
When was Terry Pathmanathan born?
Terry Pathmanathan was born on 9 February 1956 in Singapore.
What is Terry Pathmanathan's occupation?
Terry Pathmanathan is an association football player and association football coach.
What nationality is Terry Pathmanathan?
Terry Pathmanathan is Singaporean.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Terry Pathmanathan
· DBpedia: Terry Pathmanathan
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Terry Pathmanathan. https://biography.guide/terry-pathmanathan/
MLA: "Terry Pathmanathan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/terry-pathmanathan/.
Chicago: "Terry Pathmanathan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/terry-pathmanathan/.
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