KOLKATA: Dempo SC had already landed their fifth I-League title after their last encounter when they played a goalless draw against Kingfisher East Bengal. So the result against Prayag United stayed inconsequential. But the pride of ending with a win was always at stake.
Prayag’s gesture prior to the kick-off was unique. Unlike all other matches, Friday (May 5) was different as both the teams didn’t march onto the field together. Instead, Prayag United players stood and clapped from both sides as Dempo SC led by Climax Lawrence marched onto the ground.
The Guard of Honour happened for the first time in Indian football and Dempo deserved the honour – as much as they deserved to get the lead as early as the 18th minute -- Ranti Martins putting it past rival goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal for his 32nd goal of the League.
The lead was doubled in the 31st minute when midfielder par excellence Climax Lawrence capitalised on defensive lapse to make it 2-0. The pride for which Dempo were playing was never in doubt. Changing over, substitute Koko Sakibu completed the rout in the 87th minute.
Dempo SC finished their campaign with 57 points from 26 matches while Prayag United finished on 42 points from 26 matches.
Minister for Sports, West Bengal, Mr. Madan Mitra and Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation handed the Champions Trophy to Dempo SC. This has been Dempo’s 5th I-League triumph.
FROM THE HISTORY BOOK:
PRIZE MONEY OF I-LEAGUE:
• Champions: Rs. 70 lakh
• Runners-up: Rs. 40 lakh
• 3rd Place: Rs. 25 lakh
• 4th place: Rs. 15 lakh
• Prize for winning a match (each match): Rs. 35000
• Man-of-the-Match awards (each match): Rs. 5000
HISTORY of Dempo SC
Dempo originated from Bicholim Sports Club which played in the Goa First Division League from 1960. In 1966, the club was taken over by Mr. Vasantrao Dempo and Mr. Michael D'Souza and rechristened as Dempo Club.
Trophies Won by Dempo Club (All India Tournaments):
1) NFL/I-League (Five-times: 2004/05; 2006/07; 2007/08; 2009/10; 2011/12
2) Federation Cup: 2004
3) Rovers Cup: (Four-times): 1974, 1978, 1979, 1986.
4) Durand Cup: 2006
5) Scissors Cup (Four-times): 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996.
6) Stafford Cup (Twice): 1975, 1979.
7) Nizam Gold Cup: 1978
8) Bandodkar Gold Cup (Eight-times): 1976,, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991.
TOP SCORERS OF EACH EDITION (NFL)
YEAR TOP SCORER (CLUB + GOALS)
1996-97 Bhaichung Bhutia (JCT -- 14 Goals)
1997-98 Raman Vijayan (FC Kochin – 10 goals)
1998-99 Phillip Mensah (Churchill Brothers – 11 goals)
1999-00 Igor Shkirvin (Mohun Bagan – 11 Goals)
2000-01 Jose Ramirez Barreto (Mohun Bagan – 14 Goals)
2001-02 Yusif Yakubu (Churchill Brothers -- 18 Goals)
2002-03 Yusif Yakubu (Churchill Brothers -- 21 Goals)
2003-04 Cristiano Junior (East Bengal -- 15 Goals)
2004-05 Dudu Omagbemi (Sporting Clube de Goa -- 21 Goals)
2005-06 Ranti Martins (Dempo SC -- 14 Goals)
2006-07 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 18 Goals)
TOP SCORERS OF EACH EDITION – I-LEAGUE
2007-08 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 22 Goals)
2008-09 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 26 Goals)
2009-10 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 22 Goals)
2010-11 Ranti Martins (Dempo SC -- 30 Goals)
DEMPO SC’S EARLIER NFL/I-LEAGUE TITLES
2004-05:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 28
Highest Scorer for Dempo SC – Ranti Martins – 15 Goals
2006-07:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 37
Highest scorer for Dempo SC -- Ranti Martins – 16 Goals
I League – 2007-08:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 35
Highest scorer for Dempo SC – 12
2009-10:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 54
Highest scorer for Dempo SC – 15
Dempo originated from Bicholim Sports Club which played in the Goa First Division League from 1960. In 1966, the club was taken over by Mr. Vasantrao Dempo and Mr. Michael D'Souza and rechristened as Dempo Club.
Trophies Won by Dempo Club (All India Tournaments):
1) NFL/I-League (Five-times: 2004/05; 2006/07; 2007/08; 2009/10; 2011/12
2) Federation Cup: 2004
3) Rovers Cup: (Four-times): 1974, 1978, 1979, 1986.
4) Durand Cup: 2006
5) Scissors Cup (Four-times): 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996.
6) Stafford Cup (Twice): 1975, 1979.
7) Nizam Gold Cup: 1978
8) Bandodkar Gold Cup (Eight-times): 1976,, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991.
TOP SCORERS OF EACH EDITION (NFL)
YEAR TOP SCORER (CLUB + GOALS)
1996-97 Bhaichung Bhutia (JCT -- 14 Goals)
1997-98 Raman Vijayan (FC Kochin – 10 goals)
1998-99 Phillip Mensah (Churchill Brothers – 11 goals)
1999-00 Igor Shkirvin (Mohun Bagan – 11 Goals)
2000-01 Jose Ramirez Barreto (Mohun Bagan – 14 Goals)
2001-02 Yusif Yakubu (Churchill Brothers -- 18 Goals)
2002-03 Yusif Yakubu (Churchill Brothers -- 21 Goals)
2003-04 Cristiano Junior (East Bengal -- 15 Goals)
2004-05 Dudu Omagbemi (Sporting Clube de Goa -- 21 Goals)
2005-06 Ranti Martins (Dempo SC -- 14 Goals)
2006-07 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 18 Goals)
TOP SCORERS OF EACH EDITION – I-LEAGUE
2007-08 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 22 Goals)
2008-09 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 26 Goals)
2009-10 Odafa Okolie (Churchill Brothers -- 22 Goals)
2010-11 Ranti Martins (Dempo SC -- 30 Goals)
DEMPO SC’S EARLIER NFL/I-LEAGUE TITLES
2004-05:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 28
Highest Scorer for Dempo SC – Ranti Martins – 15 Goals
2006-07:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 37
Highest scorer for Dempo SC -- Ranti Martins – 16 Goals
I League – 2007-08:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 35
Highest scorer for Dempo SC – 12
2009-10:
Goals scored by Dempo SC – 54
Highest scorer for Dempo SC – 15
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