The Memorable History of Gorkha Brigade Football Team
By Novy Kapadia
In 1996, the Gorkha Brigade lost in the first round of the pre-Durand tournament 0-1 to the local league runners up Hindustan F.C. On their way to their first ever Durand triumph (Shyam Thapa’s exploits enabled them win once again in 1969), Gorkha Brigade beat Leaders Club, Jalandhar 4-1, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) Bikaner of Magan Singh fame, 0-0 and 8-0, former champions Mohammedan Sporting 4-0 in the quarter finals, holders Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the semi final and the mighty Sikh Regimental Centre (SRC) 2-0 in the final to win the Durand tournament, with an enthralling display of speedy, attacking football.
In the last decade of the 20th century, the once mighty Gorkhas were a pale shadow of their all conquering unit of years ago.The decline was an apt reflection of changing values in society and receding interest in regimental sports.In the 1966 Durand tournament, three of the semi finalists were regimental teams Chima Okorie greets Shyam Thapa from the Services, Gorkha Brigade, SRC and EME Secundrabad. Bagan was the only civilian side in the last four of the Durand work rate enabled them to backpedal and bolster midfield tournament. when under pressure as well as initiate speedy counter attacks, with deft throughs.
So though Gorkha Brigade started in a Gorkha’s owed their 1966 triumph to their brilliant quintet 3-5-2 formation, they frequently functioned in a 3-3-4 or 3-4-3 of forwards, outside right Rawat, inside right Ranjit Thapa, formation. nippy centre forward Bhupinder Singh Rawat, Short-statured Bhupinder Rawat, nicknamed ‘Scooter’ for dapper,diminutive his blistering speed and quickness off the mark was an ideal inside left Tika Ram poacher of goals. He would hover around the goal area, drift Gurung and wily left into vacant space,when the inside forwards fell deep and winger Amar Bahadur,use his speed to brcak through and score with placements or Their skill, speed, thrust diving headers from measured crosses by Amar Bahadur. Withand goal scoring abilities his speed and instinct for goal, Rawat was like a poor man’s were a source of wonder Paolo Rossi. Amar Bahadur was all silky skills on the left flank. and delight. They His repertoire of dribbling skills drew gasps of admiration. He were ably supported was not an old fashioned left winger but could cut in and score by indefatigable Nar goals. Above all the five forwards gelled perfectly as a cohesive Singh as left half. unit. Of this famous five, four were snapped up by Mafatlal The Gorkhas played Mills, Bombay. Amar Bahadur joined in 1967 and Bhupinder in the old fashioned Rawat, Ranjit and Tika Ram a year earlier. Only right winger 3-2-5 formation, Rawat retired with the Gorkha Brigade.
Subsequently, Tika three defenders, two Ram ran a provision store in Dehra Dun, Amar Bahadur looked midfielders and five after a family hotel in the outskirts of Bombay and Bhupinder forwards. However, Rawat joined an administrative post with Sports Authority Ranjit Thapa and Tika of India (SAI). Only Ranjit Thapa maintained some link with football, as a sports teacher with St. Mary’s school in Delhi and trained local clubs and occasionally the Delhi state team. Three of them, speedy Bhupinder Singh Rawat, hard working Ranjit Thapa who shifted to midfield in the 4-2-4 formation and elegant left winger Amar Bahadur became regular internationals. Tika Ram played for India in the 1969 Merdeka tournament. Ranjit and Amar Bahadur were members of the Indian team which finished third in the 1970 Merdeka tournament. Amar Bahadur also scored the winning goal against Japan which enabled India win the bronze medal in the 1970 Games at Bangkok.This was the last great year for the senior national team, the last occasion when it won medals at the Asiad level. In the 1966 Durand tournament, the final was quite unforgettable, as the Sikh Regiment could not match with the speed and thrust of the Gorkha Brigade. The match to remember was the semi final against Mohun Bagan. For three successive years (1963-65), Bagan inspired by greats like Chuni Goswami, Jarnail Singh, Kempiah, Dipu Das and Arumainayagam, had won the Durand Cup. They were first Indian team to achieve a hat-trick of wins. With East Bengal upset by EME Secundrabad (snap left footed top of the box
volley by inside left Jayaraman) and Mohammedan’s trounced by the Gorkha Brigade, in the quarter finals, it was left to Bagan to maintain Calcutta’s pride. The match played on a cold, sunday afternoon in January 1967, aroused tremendous interest and excitement amongst local football fans. The query on everybody’s lips was, “would the experienced Jarnail Singh, C. Prasad, P. Kannan and Nitu Ghosh be able to thwart the rampaging Gorkhas?” Around the Ambedkar stadium (then known as the Delhi Gate stadium) there were serpentine queues, as eager spectators clamoured to get tickets for this historic match. Touts did roaring business. The Re. 1 tickets of the third enclosure were sold in the black for Rs. 20 or Rs. 25, a princely sum in those days. The match was well contested. Initially Bagan controlled proceedings.
The dribbling skills of Kannan, Arumainayagam and Ashok Chatterjee enabled them retain possession and slow down the pace of the game. Mighty Jarnail Singh, C. Prasad and Sushil Sinha managed to blunt the Gorkha attack. Just before half time, Gorkhas changed their approach play and used one touch football to level attacks. Bhupinder Rawat broke the ice with a dream goal. Running in from the blind side bravely flung himself in front of lunging Jarnail and scored with a diving header at the near post a right flank cross. The crowd went ecstatic.Midway through the second half, Gorkhas sealed victory when tenacious midfielder Nar Singh scored with a snap shot, a rising left footer which somehow deceived the usually reliable Prior to this defeat, Bagan had lost in the Durand way backin December 1961.
On that occasion they were beaten 0-1 by Andhra Pradesh Police in the final, with inside left Zulfiqar scoring the match-winner. In 1962, the Durand was not held due to the India-China war and Bagan were champions from1963-65.
(This article was earlier published in 1996)
Posted by Unknown
on 03:40. Filed under
enjoyed watching thrilling games from BS Rawat, Amar Bahadur and Ranjit Thapa while they played for Mafatlal FC in Mumbai in late 60s- early 70s.
Wish all of them great health .
Read that Amar Bahadur is no more with us , my sincere condolence to his loved ones.
Rajeev Balmiki, Staten Island , New york .
This is so nostalgic. Takes me back to the days when Amar Bahadur, Bhupinder Singh Rawat and Ranjit Thappa represented Mafatlal.
They added flair to the team. Amar's dribbling skills on the left wing. Rawat's speed. He was affectionately called
PHATPHATTI, and the magic of Ranbir Thappa's distribution, all were a treat to watch. Derek D'souza's pile drivers, often made the net threadbare if not create a hole. Two other names come to mind, Mario Rocha, a stopper,if my memory serves me right, and Phillip Shaw Dennis in goal. He was a product of the prestigious St.Mary's School, Mazagaon. An outstanding Athlete, too.
Thank You for giving me the opportunity to put pen to my thoughts. The glorious 60s 70s.
Read...Ranjit Thappa's distribution...
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