The year was 1911, the same year when Mohan Bagan Club won IFA shield against East Yorkshire regiment. Before the semi-final match, Kalicharan Mitra came to Kumartuli Park to see the practice match in North Calcutta. Mitra, popularly known as ‘Kali Mittir’ was one of the only two Indian members in All English governing body of IFA. On that rain-soaked day 1911, a young boy’s stout physique and fearless playing style grabbed Mittir’s attentions. Upon asking his name, the boy replied ‘Gostho Pal’. Mitra decided to take him to meet Dukhiram Mazumdar, a noted football expert and Aryan club official. And then, as they say, the rest is history.
Born on August 20, 1896, in Faridpur(present Bangladesh), Gostho Pal started his football career in Kumartuli club in 1907 just at the age of 11. His talent later took him to the Green and Maroon Club of Calcutta. As a defender, Pal was unmatched in the era. He was famed for no-holds-barred tackles and thumping long balls, despite playing bare feet.
Pal’s debut in 1913 was not much encouraging, as he struggled against the booted Dalhousie FC players on the Muddy ground. The club fans were highly critical of their new player, however, Pal managed to keep them silence his doubters with an excellent performance in his second match against Team Black Watch. His defensive skills earned him the title ‘Chiner Prachir’ (The Chinese Wall).
In 1921, Gostho Pal became the captain of the team. Pal was able to lead the team into the finals of the India Football Association Shield Trophy and finished as runners-up to Calcutta FC. By 1924, he was selected as the captain of the National Football Team and became the first captain to lead the team in an overseas tour in Sri Lanka in 1933.
He continued his captaincy for the Mohan Bagan club until 1926 and soon retired from his football career in 1935. Mohan Bagan club became the first club in Indian history to be invited to play in the Durand Cup. They reached the semi-finals in that Cup.
Pal was also the first footballer to receive Padma Shri in 1962. He died on April 9, 1976, but the legacy still continues. Pal is also the only footballer to have a statue of him erected opposite Eden Garden, Kolkata in 1984. He also has a street named after him. He got a postage stamp in 1998. In 2004, he became the fourth player to receive the Mohun Bagan Ratna posthumously.
