Peter Thangaraj

{{Infobox football biography

| name= Peter Thangaraj

|image = Peter-thangaraj.jpg

|image_size =

| height = {{height|m=1.90}}

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1935|12|24}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2008|11|24|1935|12|24}}

| birth_place =Hyderabad

| death_place = Bokaro, India

| position = Goalkeeper
Centre forward (occasionally)

| years1 = 1953–1960

| clubs1 = Madras Regimental Centre

| years2 = 1960–1963

| clubs2 = Mohammedan Sporting

| years3 = 1963–1965

| clubs3 = Mohun Bagan

| years4 = 1965–1971

| clubs4 = East Bengal

| years5 = 1971–1972

| clubs5 = Mohammedan Sporting

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 = India

| nationalcaps1 = ?

| nationalgoals1 = 2{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html |title=Colombo Cup 1953 (Rangoon, Burma) |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=27 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727145000/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/brindies-quad.html#53 |website=rsssf.com |publisher=RSSSF }}

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}

}}

Havildar Peter Thangaraj (24 December 1935 – 24 November 2008) was an Indian football player and a non-commissioned officer in the Indian Army.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25834 |title=Peter Thangaraj : Biographical information & Results |work=Olympedia |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114225425/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25834 |archive-date=14 November 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-get-goosebumps-remembering-1962-asian-games-football-gold-arun-ghosh/articleshow/77930006.cms|title=Still get goosebumps remembering 1962 Asian Games football gold run: Arun Ghosh|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|date=4 September 2020|agency=PTI|access-date=2 August 2022|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821080544/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-get-goosebumps-remembering-1962-asian-games-football-gold-arun-ghosh/articleshow/77930006.cms}} Thangaraj played for the Indian national side at the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|title=Old-timers recollect past glory of city football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022162920/https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|archive-date=22 October 2021|website=thehansindia.com|publisher=The Hans India|access-date=5 September 2021}} He was voted Asia's best goalkeeper in 1958.{{cite news|publisher=Express India |title=Peter Thangaraj dead |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/peter-thangaraj-dead/390942/ |date=26 November 2008|access-date=2008-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616022622/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/peter-thangaraj-dead/390942/ |archive-date=16 June 2012 }} Thangaraj was a recipient of Arjuna Award for the year 1967.{{cite web|url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|title=List of Arjuna Award Winners — Football |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|archive-date=25 December 2007|access-date=25 December 2007|website=yas.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports}}{{cite web|title=List of Arjuna Awardees (1961–2018)|url=https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India)|access-date=12 September 2020|df=dmy-all|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718084523/https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf}}

Thangaraj played domestic club football for both the Calcutta Football League clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. He earned fame during his days with the "red and gold brigade" from 1965 to 1971, and captained the team in 1969–70.{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/capeb.htm|website=kolkatafootball.com|title=Kolkatafootball.com :East Bengal League History: Indian Football Capital's News|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011211/https://www.kolkatafootball.com/capeb.htm}}{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/east-bengal-fc/20/|title=East Bengal FC » Historical squads|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011647/https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/east-bengal-fc/20/}}{{cite web|url=http://eastbengalclub.co.in/teamarchives.html|title=East Bengal Club — The Official Site of East Bengal Club|website=eastbengalclub.co.in|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108213722/http://eastbengalclub.co.in/teamarchives.html}} He was the first choice goalkeeper for the club over the years.{{cite web|first=12:56 PM IST|last=ETV Bharat News Desk, West Bengal|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/bengali/west-bengal/state/kolkata/balai-dey-who-played-for-india-and-pakistan-1/wb20190616125621719|title=ভারত-পাকিস্তানের জার্সি গায়ে মাঠে নেমেছিলেন বলাই দে |trans-title=Balai Dey, who played for both the India and Pakistan |date=16 June 2019|access-date=5 April 2022|website=etvbharat.com|publisher=ETV Network|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404112728/https://www.etvbharat.com/bengali/west-bengal/state/kolkata/balai-dey-who-played-for-india-and-pakistan-1/wb20190616125621719|language=bn}}{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/1030283/indian-football-balai-dey-the-mohun-bagan-legend-who-played-for-both-india-and-pakistan|title=Indian Football: Balai Dey, the Mohun Bagan legend who played for both India and Pakistan|website=scroll.in|publisher=Scroll|date=13 August 2022|access-date=13 August 2022|first=Jaydeep|last=Basu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813112136/https://scroll.in/field/1030283/indian-football-balai-dey-the-mohun-bagan-legend-who-played-for-both-india-and-pakistan|archive-date=13 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://inscript.me/how-east-bengal-mohun-bagan-became-rival-history-of-west-bengal-club-football-by-ayan-bhattacharya-robibarer-royak|title=বাংলা ভাগের ক্ষত কিভাবে বিষিয়ে দিল মোহনবাগান আর ইস্টবেঙ্গলকে?|trans-title=How did the wound of the partition of Bengal poisoned both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal?|first1=Ayan|last1=Bhattacharya|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107163804/https://inscript.me/how-east-bengal-mohun-bagan-became-rival-history-of-west-bengal-club-football-by-ayan-bhattacharya-robibarer-royak|website=inscript.me|publisher=ইনস্ক্রিপ্ট বাংলা নিউজ|location=Kolkata|language=bn|date=10 September 2023|access-date=7 November 2023}}

Club career

Thangraj was born in 1935 in Hyderabad State. He began his football career with Morning Star Club, and then moved to Friends Union Club of Secunderabad. He joined the Indian Army in 1953 and began representing the Madras Regimental Centre where he played as a centre forward, but took to goalkeeping subsequently with great success.{{cite web|date=12 May 2021|title=SportMob – Best Indian football players of all time|url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time|access-date=28 January 2022|website=SportMob.com|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809100523/https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time}} Madras Regimental Centre won the Durand Cup in 1955 and 1958. Thangaraj captained the Services team for its first-ever triumph in the Santosh Trophy in 1960.

{{cquote|As a goalkeeper, he was simply unbeatable. He had a little weakness with ground shots but in the air, he was superb. He used to pluck the ball in the air from attacks or corner kicks. Even from penalties, at point-blank range, he would pull off miraculous saves.|source=Gautam Roy, football historian, on Peter Thangaraj to the Olympic Channel.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami|title=PK, Chuni, Balaram, the troika that scripted Indian football's Golden Era|first=Utathya|last=Nag|website=olympics.com|publisher=The Olympics|language=en|location=|agency=|date=31 January 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514082401/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami}}|cquote}}

After leaving Services, Thangaraj played for Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting (1960–63, 1971–72), Mohun Bagan{{cite web|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-jarnail-singh/|title=Legends Of Indian Football: Jarnail Singh|date=4 April 2011|access-date=7 October 2022|first=Somnath|last=Sengupta|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|location=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107101542/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-jarnail-singh/|archive-date=7 January 2022}} (1963–65), and East Bengal (1965–71) and was a huge fan favorite at the time. He was part of the Bengal team, which won the Santosh Trophy in 1963. Later, he led the Railways in 1965 and won the Santosh Trophy for them. Along with the likes of Chuni Goswami and P. K. Banerjee, Thangaraj was one of the mainstays of the Indian team in 1960s and 70s.

International career

Thangaraj had an illustrious international career. His first stint with the Indian team was the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament held at Rangoon held in 1953. Under the coaching of Syed Abdul Rahim, he played for India both at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, and represented India at 1958 Tokyo, 1962 Jakarta,{{Cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Somnath|title=Tactical Evolution of Indian Football (Part Two): Revolution Under Rahim Saab|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/|location=Kolkata|date=13 July 2011|access-date=2021-03-16|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|language=en-US|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021904/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/}} and 1966 Bangkok Asian Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/syed-abdul-rahim-the-indian-ferguson|title=Syed Abdul Rahim: The Indian Ferguson {{!}} The visionary who guided India to their greatest success|website=www.sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=4 September 2015|access-date=20 August 2022|first=Faizan|last=Qadiri|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820151814/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/syed-abdul-rahim-the-indian-ferguson|archive-date=20 August 2022}} India won the Gold Medal at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.

He represented India at the Merdeka Cup tournament held at Kuala Lumpur from 1958 to 1966. He also represented India at the 1964 and 1966 Asian Cup held in Israel and Burma respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.totalfootballmag.com/features/columnists/asian-eye-indian-football-still-finding-its-feet/|title=Asian Eye – Indian football still finding its feet :: Total Football Magazine – Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, Non-League News|publisher=Total Football Magazine|website=totalfootballmag.com|access-date=3 May 2015|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213074737/http://www.totalfootballmag.com/features/columnists/asian-eye-indian-football-still-finding-its-feet/|first=Tim|last=Alper}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments#|title=Indian Football Down the Years: Looking back at the glorious moments|first=AIFF|last=Media Team|website=www.the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|language=en|trans-title=|location=New Delhi|agency=|date=15 August 2022|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921011335/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments}} He was named the Best Goalkeeper of Asia in 1958, and awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967.Recognizing his contribution to Indian football, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the government of India in 1997.{{cite web|title=Arjuna Award winners |url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm |publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |access-date=10 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm |archive-date=25 December 2007 }} He twice played for the Asian All-Star team and was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper in 1967. Thangaraj retired from active football in 1971 and then took to coaching.{{cite news|work = The Hindu|title = Thangaraj passes away|url = https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Thangaraj-passes-away/article15348833.ece|date = 26 November 2008|accessdate = 15 December 2008|archive-date = 29 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180629135523/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Thangaraj-passes-away/article15348833.ece|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |url=http://sportal.nic.in/legenddetails.asp?sno=681&moduleid=&maincatid=40&subid=0&comid=55 |title=Peter Thangaraj profile at Sports Portal, Govt. of India. |access-date=15 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410011652/http://sportal.nic.in/legenddetails.asp?sno=681&moduleid=&maincatid=40&subid=0&comid=55 |archive-date=10 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}

Managerial career

After retirement, in 1973, Thangaraj became head coach of the football team of Aligarh Muslim University.{{cite web|url=http://indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/thangaraj_peter.html|title=Legends of Indian football :: Hall of Fame: PETER THANGARAJ|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|publisher=indianfootball.de|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805144603/http://indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/thangaraj_peter.html|url-status=dead}} He later managed Goa Professional League side Vasco SC until 1975. After that he joined Steel Authority of India Limited and remained in Bokaro Steel Plant from 1976 till his retirement in 1995. At that time, Vasco won Bordoloi Trophy, KFA Shield and Chakola Gold Trophy in 1973.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/former-vasco-defender-george-ambrose-no-more/articleshow/93415990.cms|title=Former Vasco defender George Ambrose no more|date=8 August 2022|access-date=20 September 2022|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|agency=TNN|location=Panaji, Goa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809180604/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/former-vasco-defender-george-ambrose-no-more/articleshow/93415990.cms|archive-date=9 August 2022|url-status=live}}

Later life, death and legacy

Thangaraj was a devoted follower of Lev Yashin, and was later appointed as advisor of the football department/division of Bokaro Steel Plant. He died in Bokaro (now in Jharkhand), on 24 November 2008 after a massive heart-attack.

Legendary strikers of India, Chuni Goswami and P. K. Banerjee often credited his long kicks as source of some of their best goals in career.

Honours

India

Asian Games Gold medal: 1962
AFC Asian Cup runners-up: 1964{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2011/01/07/2293901/asian-cup-know-your-history-part-one-1956-1988 |title=Asian Cup: Know Your History - Part One (1956-1988) |publisher=Goal.com |date=2011-01-07 |access-date=2015-05-03 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531055150/https://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2011/01/07/2293901/asian-cup-know-your-history-part-one-1956-1988 |url-status=live }}
Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament: 1955
Merdeka Tournament runner-up: 1959;{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html|title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1959 Merdeka Cup|website=www.indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|date=2000|last=Chaudhuri|first=Arunava|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608085202/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html|archive-date=8 June 2018}} (information given by Jaydeep Basu, Sunil Warrier, and Gautam Roy). third-place: 1966{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1966 Merdeka Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155050/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}

Madras Regimental Centre

Durand Cup: 1955, 1958

Mohun Bagan{{cite web |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Soham |title=1960–1965: When Chuni Goswami & co propelled Mohun Bagan to the zenith of success |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1960s-mohun-bagan-chuni-goswami-trophies-indian-football/1utzzq9j0icvgze2iw9ple0p1 |website=Goal |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=7 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207100844/https://www.goal.com/en/news/1960s-mohun-bagan-chuni-goswami-trophies-indian-football/1utzzq9j0icvgze2iw9ple0p1 }}

Durand Cup: 1963, 1964, 1965
Calcutta Football League: 1963, 1964, 1965

East Bengal

IFA Shield: 1970

Services

Santosh Trophy: 1960–61

Bengal

Santosh Trophy: 1962–63

Railways

Santosh Trophy: 1964–65

Individual

Arjuna Award: 1967{{cite web|title=National Award winning Footballers|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|date=2000|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|url-status=dead}}
AFC Asian All Stars: 1967{{cite web |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19670526-1.2.197 |title=Asian All Stars |publisher=The Straits Times |date=26 May 1967 |access-date=7 September 2020 |website=Gov.sg |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620173531/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19670526-1.2.197 }}
AFC – Best Goalkeeper of Asia: 1958{{cite web|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-jarnail-singh/|title=Legends of Indian Football : Peter Thangaraj|date=14 May 2018|access-date=7 October 2022|first=Somnath|last=Sengupta|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|location=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413164430/https://thehardtackle.com/2012/legends-of-indian-football-peter-thangaraj/|archive-date=13 April 2021}}
East Bengal Club Goalkeeper of the Millennium{{cite web|first1=Gautam|last1=Roy|first2=Swapan|last2=Ball|date=2007|url=http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers4.asp|title=East Bengal Football Club – Famous Players|access-date=25 February 2009|website=www.eastbengalfootballclub.com|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221072439/http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers4.asp|archive-date=21 February 2009}}
Asian Goalkeepers of the Century: 2000
Sportskeeda All time Indian Football XI{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/greatest-indian-football-xi-of-all-time|title=All time Indian XI|date=23 November 2016|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201149/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/greatest-indian-football-xi-of-all-time|website=sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|first=Amoy|last=Ghoshal}}