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Feature: Barefooted Journey From Maidan To Celtic Park
It is believed that Bhaichung Bhutia is the first Asian to play professional football in the United Kingdom but historians like Boria Majumder and Mihir Bose tag this news as a pure misconception.
19-May-2008 11:22:58 AM
This story is about a footballer who started
his career at the age of nine playing for Chittaranjan Football Academy in
Baghnan. He came to spotlight while playing for Greer Sporting Club in the
second division, the club which recruited only British Army officials in 1924.
Mohammed Salim soon joined Mohammedan Sporting after donning the Sporting Union jersey for a few seasons. Salim soon became an integral part of the Mohammedan team and helped them clinch the historic Calcutta Football league for three consecutive seasons from 1934-1936.
Young Salim was invited along with the Mohammedan team to play a friendly against the Chinese Olympic team but the player boarded a ship for Southampton via Cairo. This was on the insistence of his English cousin Hashim who wanted him to play his trade in Europe.
Salim asked his cousin to speak to the manager of Celtic FC Mr. Willie Maley for trials. The only problem they had to face was the fact that the Scots were not willing to offer him a trial since he played barefooted. But after much negotiation Salim was asked to demonstrate his skills in front of 100 club members and three licensed coaches. His skill astonished everyone and he was asked to represent Celtic for a few pre-season friendlies.
An exceptional Salim led Celtic to a 7-1 victory over Hamilton while in another he guided them to a 5-0 win over Gaston. After the first two games, the newspapers went gaga over Salim and was referred to as ‘The Indian Juggler – New Style’ and ‘Ten Twinkling Toes of Indian Salim hypnotized the crowd at Park Head.’
Just a few months down, a home sick and injured Salim sailed down to the subcontinent bidding the professional career in Scotland goodbye and signed for East Bengal. The Celtic officials had tried to persuade Salim to stay by offering a five percent of the gate earnings from a charity match in his honor. But Salim refused the offer and insisted to donate that money to orphans. The sum amounted to 1800 pounds which was too hefty at that time and as promised, he donated that sum.
Salim’s son Rashid had written a letter to Celtic a few months back about his father who was ill and needed money for recovery. He had no intentions to receive money but admitted that it was just a plot to check whether Mohammed Salim was alive in their memories. To his astonishment, he received a letter assuring all sorts of help from the club along with a cheque of 100 pounds in it.
Rahul Sengupta
Mohammed Salim soon joined Mohammedan Sporting after donning the Sporting Union jersey for a few seasons. Salim soon became an integral part of the Mohammedan team and helped them clinch the historic Calcutta Football league for three consecutive seasons from 1934-1936.
Young Salim was invited along with the Mohammedan team to play a friendly against the Chinese Olympic team but the player boarded a ship for Southampton via Cairo. This was on the insistence of his English cousin Hashim who wanted him to play his trade in Europe.
Salim asked his cousin to speak to the manager of Celtic FC Mr. Willie Maley for trials. The only problem they had to face was the fact that the Scots were not willing to offer him a trial since he played barefooted. But after much negotiation Salim was asked to demonstrate his skills in front of 100 club members and three licensed coaches. His skill astonished everyone and he was asked to represent Celtic for a few pre-season friendlies.
An exceptional Salim led Celtic to a 7-1 victory over Hamilton while in another he guided them to a 5-0 win over Gaston. After the first two games, the newspapers went gaga over Salim and was referred to as ‘The Indian Juggler – New Style’ and ‘Ten Twinkling Toes of Indian Salim hypnotized the crowd at Park Head.’
Just a few months down, a home sick and injured Salim sailed down to the subcontinent bidding the professional career in Scotland goodbye and signed for East Bengal. The Celtic officials had tried to persuade Salim to stay by offering a five percent of the gate earnings from a charity match in his honor. But Salim refused the offer and insisted to donate that money to orphans. The sum amounted to 1800 pounds which was too hefty at that time and as promised, he donated that sum.
Salim’s son Rashid had written a letter to Celtic a few months back about his father who was ill and needed money for recovery. He had no intentions to receive money but admitted that it was just a plot to check whether Mohammed Salim was alive in their memories. To his astonishment, he received a letter assuring all sorts of help from the club along with a cheque of 100 pounds in it.
Rahul Sengupta
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