Category: Down Memory Lane

16th August, 1980: A ‘Black Day’ for sports

For the 1980-81 season, Mohun Bagan was quite a formidable side on pen-and-paper. On the other hand, arch rivals East Bengal looked a bit weaker, some of their star players of the previous season being left for Mohammedan Sporting. Yet, the battle was on for the first meeting of the season of the two Calcutta giants in the CFL tie at Eden Gardens, since derby or the ‘boro-match‘ is always considered as the 50-50 match. 

There’s a popular opinion in maidan, that EB coach PK Banerjee motivatedly instigated his team’s Dilip Palit to take on Mohun Bagan’s brilliant left winger Bidesh Bose. Palit, actually a left back, was shifted to the other flank for the purpose. Few minutes into the game and Palit was up to his task, charging ugly and unsporting tackles on Bidesh. At one time, gentleman Bidesh lost his cool and retaliated. That triggered the gallery. The fans of  the two teams got involved in a serious brawl, resulting in the police forces to ‘lathi-charge’ heavily. The crowd all started to rush down the gallery, falling one over the other, as many as 14 youths got stampeded to death on spot, 2 died later even after being rushed to hospital. 

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Remembering Dr. Vece Paes (30 April 1945 – 14 August 2025)

Dr. Vece Agapito Paes will be remembered forever a remarkable figure in Indian sports and medicine — a true polymath whose legacy spans athletic achievement, medical innovation, and sports administration.

Mohun Bagan & Dr. Paes: A Golden Era

  • 13-Year Tenure: Dr. Paes played hockey for Mohun Bagan for 13 years, a period marked by dominance and camaraderie.

  • Trophy Haul: Alongside teammates like Gurbux Singh and Ashok Kumar, he helped the club win nine Beighton Cup titles and nine Calcutta League championships.

  • Versatility: As a centre-half, he was known for his stamina and ability to control the midfield, often surging up and down the field with relentless energy.

Vece Paes

Athletic Career

  • Olympic Medalist: He played a crucial role as a centre-half for the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

  • Multi-sport Talent: Besides hockey, he competed in cricket, football, and rugby at divisional levels.

  • Rugby Leadership: Served as President of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002

Legacy Beyond the Field

  • His time at Mohun Bagan wasn’t just about medals—it was about building a culture of excellence. He was admired for his sportsmanship, leadership, and later, his contributions towards sports medicine and athlete development. It was only due to his strong impact, his son Leander became an ardent Mohun Bagan fan and one of the most admirable sports icons of India of all time.

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6th August: A memorable day for Bagan

Common people across the globe solemnly observe today as the Hiroshima Day. For the mariners, today’s date i.e. 6th August is very significant in terms of derby clash. 

In 1937, on this date, Mohun Bagan clinched the then prestigious Raja Shield with thumping win over arch rivals East Bengal by a 4-0 margin. Asit Ganguly scored a brilliant hattrick, which was only the second feat after Amiyo Deb, also from Bagan. Again, on August 6th 1978, the Maidan saw one of  the most spectacular goals of all time scored by Shyam Thapa in the Calcutta Football League with his iconic back-volley helping Mohun Bagan seal the exciting ‘boro match’ again.

So, the same rivals were at the receiving end on both the occasions on the same date. For them, the pinch is no less than the infamous Hiroshima bombs. Now, let’s throw back to those unforgettable glories.