Shimla-the birthplace of the Durand Cup and the Indian Air Force ...

The Unforgettables...
Jarnail Singh
Jarnail Singh, a football legend in his lifetime and one of
India’s greatest footballers passed away in 2000, at the
age of 64. A stopper-back in the three-back system, Jarnail
was a prominent member of the Indian team that won the gold
medal in the 1962 Asian Games at Jakarta. Four years later he
led the team in the Bangkok Asian Games. He was also the
Indian captain for three years in a row in the Kuala Lumpur’s
Merdeka tournament in the 60s. At the domestic level, Jarnail
spent his best years with Calcutta’s Mohun Bagan. Born in
Lyallpur (now in Pakistan) in 1936, Jarnail Singh Dhillon first
caught the eye while playing for Punjab University in the DCM
tournament. He shifted to Calcutta to play for Rajasthan Club
in 1957. Next year he joined Mohun Bagan and remained their
most prized catch till he decided to go back to Punjab in 1969.
At the fag end of his career but still possessing enough fire, he
led Punjab to their first Santosh Trophy triumph in Jalandhar in
1970. He joined Punjab Government and retired as Additional
Director (Sports).
M. Kempiah
M.Kempiah, the stalwart of Indian football passed
away on 3rd July, 2008 at the age of 75 at Bangalore
A box to box midfielder who excelled in defensive
qualities he stole the eye of the pundits with his
uncanny anticipation and neat tackling much so that he not
only became a permanent feature but also an asset to the
Indian side. Kempiah aptly fit into the role of a defensive
half back in the 3-2-5 formation. He made his international
debut in the 1955 Quadrangular football tournament. At the
International level, he is capped twenty eight times by the
country - being the member of the Indian team in the Olympics
(1956, 1960), Asian Games (1958), Asia Cup (1959), Merdeka
tournament (1959.1961) and Pre Olympics (1959,1960,1963).
He also scored his only international goal vs Afganisthan in
Jia’s 5-2 win in Pre Olympic tie in Kabul in 1959. At the club
level he shot into prominence with Bangalore Muslims from
1953-55. In the following year he shifted to the Mecca of Indian
Football, Kolkata and joined East Bengal. He helped the elite
club win Durand Cup and P.K.Nair Gold Cup that year. In 1957
he switched over to Mohun Bagan and stayed with them till he
hung up his boots in 1964.
20 July 2011 purple beret
Ashoklal Banerjee
Ashoklal Banerjee was 64 when he passed away
in 2008. He started his footballing career in the
Kolkata maidan in the mid sixties as a defender. He
first drew attention while playing for Kidderpore
Club and switched over to East Bengal Club in 1968 to fill the
vaccum created by the sudden departure of legendary stopper
Nayeem. He went back to East Bengal in 1971 and was a part
of the glamour outfit till 1976. He achieved many laurels with
the club winning the Calcutta League continuously from 1971-
75 and I.FA. shield from 1972-1976, the last year jointly with
Mohun Bagan. He famously captained the red and golds in
triumph over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the finals of the
1975 Shield. He also won the Durand Cup with the Club in
1972 and performed consistently throughout the tournament
that year. He also won the Rovers Cup (1973, 1975) and DCM
trophy (1973, 1974). He individually had some outstanding
performances against Pyongyong City Club (1973 IFA Shield
Final) and Dok Ro Gang (1973 DCM final). In 1977 he switched
over to Mohammedan Sporting. He represented Bengal in the
Santosh Trophy from 1969-74 being the Captain. He won the
trophy thrice (1969, 1971, 1972). He made his international
debut for India in the 1970 Merdeka and won the bronze medal
that year.
Noor Mohammed
Aluminary of Indian football, Noor Mohammed, died
at the age of 80. He played in three Olympics -1948
(London), 1952 (Helsinki) and 1956 (Melbourne) - and
three Asian Games -1951 (New Delhi), 1954 (Manila),
1958 (Tokyo). He was a member of the playing eleven which
won the gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games, beating Iran
1 -0 in the final and the Indian team which finished fourth
in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. In the old 2-3-5 system,
Noor Mohammed was a rock-solid left half, with uncanny
anticipation, game sense, superb timing of the tackle and fine
distribution of the ball. At his peak he was rated as the best
in Asia in his position. Lanky and sinewy Noor Mohammed
was a fitness freak and never missed a match for his side, the
legendary black and yellow shirted Hyderabad City Police.
They won the Rovers Cup at Mumbai, five years in a row from
1950-1954, a record unsurpassed in domestic football. Noor
Mohammed was the epitome of dedication.