The player you’re referring to is Subhas Bhowmick, a legendary footballer in Indian football history, whose contributions to both the national team and club football were significant. Below is a more detailed account of his remarkable career and achievements:
Start in Jamshedpur Sports Association (1952): Bhowmick began his football journey with the Jamshedpur Sports Association in 1952 before moving on to bigger clubs.
Eastern Railway Football Club (1955–1968): He played for the Eastern Railway Football Club, based in Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he became an integral part of the team. Over the years, he scored 111 goals for the club and helped them win the Santosh Trophy three times.
Debut: Bhowmick made his debut for the Indian national football team in 1955 during the Dhaka Quadrangular Football Tournament.
1958 Asian Games (Tokyo, Japan): He represented India in the 1958 Asian Games, starting a career that would see him feature in several major tournaments.
1962 Asian Games (Jakarta, Indonesia): Bhowmick was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in football, a significant achievement for Indian football.
1966 Asian Games (Bangkok, Thailand): He also represented India in the 1966 Asian Games, further adding to his international accolades.
Highest Scorer for India in the Asian Games: Bhowmick remains the highest goal scorer for India in the Asian Games, with a total of six goals across the three editions (1958, 1962, and 1966).
1960 Rome Olympics: He was captain of the Indian football team during the 1960 Rome Olympics, an important milestone in his career.
Merdeka Cup & Asia Cup: Bhowmick also represented India in several editions of the Merdeka Cup (1959, 1964, 1965) and the 1964 Asia Cup, where India won the silver medal.
After his playing days, Bhowmick turned to coaching and became a prominent figure in Indian club football.
East Bengal FC: He started his coaching career with East Bengal FC, one of India’s top football clubs.
Mohun Bagan AC: Later, he moved on to coach the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, another of Kolkata’s famed football clubs.
Indian National Team Coach (1972-1981): Bhowmick’s coaching journey culminated in him taking charge of the Indian national football team from 1972 to 1981, where he helped develop the next generation of Indian footballers.
Arjuna Award (1961): He was one of the first recipients of the Arjuna Award in 1961, recognizing his excellence in the sport.
Padma Shri (1990): In recognition of his contributions to Indian football, Bhowmick was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 1990.
Influence on Indian Football: Bhowmick’s contributions as both a player and coach were instrumental in shaping Indian football during the mid-20th century. He was a player who led by example on the field and a coach who mentored and nurtured Indian football talent for decades.
Cultural Icon in Kolkata: In Kolkata, Bhowmick became a cultural icon, especially among football fans of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, two of the city’s most celebrated clubs.
Mentor to Future Generations: As a coach, his legacy lives on in the players he mentored, as well as in the clubs he managed.
Subhas Bhowmick’s contributions to Indian football cannot be overstated. His playing career, highlighted by the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games and his stellar performances across Olympics, Asian Games, and Merdeka Cup, solidified his place as one of India’s greatest footballers. After retiring from playing, his impact continued as a coach, where he helped steer the future of the game in India. His awards, including the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, stand as a testament to his dedication and remarkable achievements in Indian football.
