Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Let's take a look back at the football journey of one of India's greatest left-backs, Alok Mukherjee.........
1977. Young Alok Mukherjee from Ichhapur first stepped onto the field in the jersey of Aurora Club. The next year, his football talent was discovered by Keshav Das, who took him to Eastern Railway's Tapas Som for a trial. Not only did he pass the trial, he also went straight to the first team! Although he didn't get a chance in the first three matches, he impressed everyone in the first opportunity against Rajasthan in the fourth match.
After playing with might and main in Eastern Railway till 1979, he joined George Telegraph in 1980. And it was from here that Alok Mukherjee's career took a turn.
While playing for FCI in an exhibition match in Dhanbad, Moidul Islam was impressed by his game. At his request, Alok Mukherjee joined the traditional Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1981.
Then came that historic moment… East Bengal vs. Mohammedan match. Mohammedan was playing brilliantly against an East Bengal team full of Majid-Jamshed. Suddenly, a powerful shot by CD Francis filled the East Bengal gallery with the joy of a sure goal. But just then, Alok Mukherjee emerged from the ground! Standing on the goal line, he saved the ball and stunned the gallery—and with that one save, a legend was born on the field.
After that, he became the trust of the three chiefs, the master of “goalline saves” on the field! The power of his tackle was so great that a saying was started on the field at that time—
“Even stones turn into powder with Alok Mukherjee’s tackle!”
He played for East Bengal from 1982 to 1985 and then in the 1991 season. His perfect tackles, selfless overlaps, and unparalleled defensive presence still shine in the hearts of the red-yellows.
Alok Mukherjee was not just a footballer, he was an inspiration for a generation. That concentration in saving goals, sacrificing himself on the field and a full reflection of every quality of a left-back of the breed—he was a silent warrior on the field.