Subimal "Chuni" Goswami (15 January 1938 – 30 April 2020) was an Indian professional footballer and first-class cricketer. As footballer, he played as a striker or winger, captained both the Mohun Bagan club and the India national team. He also served as the Sheriff of Kolkata. Goswami scored nine goals in 30 international appearances. He was an Olympian, represented India national team at the 1960 Summer Olympics. He also led the team to achieve the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games, and earn the runners-up position at the 1964 AFC Asian Cup.
Playing for the India national team under coaching of Syed Abdul Rahim, Goswami was also a first class cricketer, playing Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He captained his team to the final of the tournament in 1971–72. On 15 January 2020, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honour. Goswami's autobiography Khelte Khelte was published in 1982.
Personal life
Born in Kishoreganj, Bengal Presidency, Goswami moved to Calcutta and settled there in his childhood. His elder brother Manik Goswami was also a footballer who played for George Telegraph. Goswami was married to Basanti and gave birth to their son, named Sudipto. Goswami considered East Bengal legend Ahmed Khan as his idol. He also played tennis at the Calcutta South Club.
Goswami was elected as the Sheriff of Kolkata in 2005. He was a member of the CC&FC, and felicitated by the club, which is one of the oldest sports club in the world, founded in the late 18th century. He also served as president of Calcutta Veterans Club.
Football career
Goswami began his playing career with the team of University of Calcutta and was appointed captain. He led them to win the All India Inter University Championships for the Sir Ashutosh Mukjerjee Trophy. In the final, he scored the match winner against University of Bombay. He later went on to represent Bengal in Santosh Trophy and was part of the 1956 title win with P. K. Banerjee's, against Mysore. Goswami also appeared in prestigious Merchant's Cup tournament, hosted by Calcutta Cricket and Football Club.
Chuni Goswami holds the distinction of playing for a single club, Mohun Bagan, throughout his club career despite numerous offers from other clubs including one reported offer from Tottenham Hotspur.
Club career
Goswami joined the Mohun Bagan junior team in 1946 at the age of 8 years. He was a part of the junior squad up to 1954 and then graduated to the Mohun Bagan senior team. Mentored by club legend Balaidas Chatterjee, Goswami went on to represent Mohun Bagan in various foreign tours. He made his club debut on 29 May in the same year in Mohun Bagan's 3–0 win against Eastern Railway, in which he scored a goal. In the 1959 CFL season, Goswami scored 14 goals for his team. He continued playing for Mohun Bagan until his retirement in 1968. In the 1960s, Goswami and Jarnail Singh became two highest-paid players of the club; both of them captained the team respectively. Goswami captained Mohun Bagan in five seasons from 1960 to 1964. During his stay at the club, he won the Calcutta Football League six times, IFA Shield and Durand Cup four times.
International career
Chuni Goswami made his international debut for India in 1956 during the team's 1–0 victory over the Chinese Olympic team. He went on to play for India in 30 international matches including in Olympics, Asian Games, Asia Cup and Merdeka Cup, scoring 9 goals. He captained India to the Asian Games Gold Medal in 1962 and a Silver in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup in Tel Aviv and in the Merdeka Cup. Goswami, known for having incredible partnership with P. K. Banerjee and Tulsidas Balaram, is one of the "Indian football's holy trinity".
Career statistics
International statistics
Chuni Goswami played in 30 FIFA "A" international matches having scored 9 times for the National team.
International goals
Honours
Mohun Bagan
Durand Cup: 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965
IFA Shield: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967
Rovers Cup: 1966
Calcutta Football League: 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
India
Asian Games Gold medal: 1962
AFC Asian Cup runners-up: 1964
Merdeka Tournament runner-up: 1964
Bengal
Santosh Trophy: 1955–56, 1958–59
Individual
Mohun Bagan Ratna Award: 2001
Banga Bibhushan: 2013
Records
Top goal scorer of Calcutta Football League (with 145 goals)