"I played the best five years of my career for the country under Alok-da's coaching," said Baichung Bhutia. Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: He never received a red card in his long football career, even while playing in a crucial position like side-back. Alok Mukherjee, who played for the country and the three major clubs with distinction, launched his autobiography 'Beyond the Red Card' on Sunday at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club. Overwhelmed by the crowded event for the release of his biography, Alok couldn't hold back his tears. He said, "So much love from so many people is now captured between two covers. Today, I feel that perhaps I have truly achieved something as a footballer." The book, published by Deep Prakashan, is written by sports journalist Arghya Bandyopadhyay.
Present at the event were former legendary footballers Bhaskar Ganguly, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Prasun Bandyopadhyay, Bikash Panji, Dipendu Biswas, and Baichung Bhutia. Mohun Bagan President Debashis Dutta and East Bengal's top official Debabrata Sarkar were also present.
Almost everyone echoed the same sentiment. They said, "The autobiography of someone whom a legendary coach like PK Banerjee included in his team of the century should be an ideal for everyone."
East Bengal Club presented Alok with his own red and yellow jersey. Mohun Bagan honored him with a green and maroon scarf.
Baichung said, "I spent the best five years of my football career for the country under Alok-da's coaching. Alok-da is not only a great footballer but also a gentleman. May his autobiography become an ideal for future footballers."