KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 ― Allan Harris, a former football coach for Malaysia and defender with Chelsea, has died aged 74 in England.

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) duly paid tribute to Harris who has served Harimau Malaya from 2000 to 2004.

"The Football Association of Malaysia extends its condolences and appreciation to Allan (Harris) who passed away on Thursday for all his services and contributions during his tenure as national head coach from 2000 to 2004,” said FAM general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin yesterday.

Meanwhile, London club Chelsea delivered a tribute to Harris on Twitter as well as in the official Chelsea website.

"Chelsea Football Club is greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Allan Harris, our former defender who made over 100 appearances in the 1960s,” the club tweeted.

Harris played more than 100 matches in two separate spells for Chelsea across the 60s and 70s. He also made the first team for the Blues when they took on London rivals Tottenham in the 1967 FA Cup final.

During his tenure with Harimau Malaya, Malaysia took fourth place in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup, besides winning silver and bronze in two successive SEA Games.

Harris also had close links to Malaysian-owned Queens Park Rangers (QPR), first as a player and then as an assistant manager to Terry Venables. Harris worked alongside QPR as it reached the FA Cup final in 1982 and were then promoted to the top tier.

QPR too, posted its tribute to Harris, making a statement on its official Facebook page: "#QPR are saddened to learn of the passing of former defender and assistant manager, Allan Harris.”