1970s: The Golden Decade

1970s is generally considered to be the golden decade for the club, with an almost unchallenged reign at the top. The Calcutta Football League was won on 6 consecutive occasions from 1970 to 1975; the I.F.A. Shield on 5 consecutive occasions from 1972 to 1976.

Under Dr. Nripen Das, East Bengal’s team selection got a new direction and a much needed impetus. Crucial players were picked up from rival teams and the best players were retained through attractive benefits - efforts that are the building blocks of a team that can display sustainable brilliance over a long term.
In was during this decade that East Bengal benefited from the services of India’s most successful club coach, P.K. Banerjee. Banerjee was not the soundest person one would encounter as far as technical knowledge went; but he knew how to inspire the team. His pre-match talks soon became stuff of folklore and the media christened his fiery speeches as “vocal tonic”.

Players like Sudhir Karmakar, Subhash Bhoumik, Akbar, Shyam Thapa, Surajit Sengupta formed the club’s attack; and with PK’s vocal tonic, East Bengal became invincible. A crucial match in that era was the final of the IFA Shield in 1970, when East Bengal clashed against Pas Club of Iran. Iran was a formidable force in world football and the Pas Club team had several world cuppers. Through an inspiring performance, East Bengal defeated Pas Club 1-0, possibly the most significant win against a foreign opposition in the club’s victory.

The pinnacle of the glory which every East Bengal supporter loves to recount is the 1975 IFA Shield final against Mohun Bagan. In the most one-sided derby ever between these two clubs, East Bengal steamrolled their way to a 5-0 victory.

Compiled by: Ranadurjay Talukdar