Joe Paul Anchery is a former Indian professional footballer turned pundit who works as a commentator for Star Sports Malayalam. A versatile player, Joe Paul played in various positions such as midfielder, defensive midfielder, defender and striker during his eventful career. He also captained the Indian national football team. After completing his transfer to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan during the 1993–1994 season, his world-class performances cemented his place among football fans across the country. Like his fellow Keralite IM Vijayan, Joe Paul was also called up to represent the Indian national football team immediately after consistently performing well in the domestic league.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Joe Paul Enchery or Jopaul Enchery was born on Monday, 2 August 1976 (age 46 years as of 2022) in Thrissur, Kerala, India. From an early age he showed a keen interest in football and started attending football matches and training camps. In an interview, he recalled attending training camps, which gave him the opportunity to play football professionally. Joe Paul is an alumnus of Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, Kerala.
Joe Paul Ancheri playing for Mohun Bagan
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
Joe Paul Enchery belongs to an ordinary family from Thrissur, Kerala.
parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
wife and children
Joe Paul is married to Mithu Jopaul. It was an arranged marriage on 28 December 2008 at Marta Mariam Big Church, Thrissur. When Joe Paul got married he had already announced his retirement as a professional footballer and was working as the head coach of Mohun Bagan SAIL Football Academy in Kolkata. They have two children, a son (Benhur Jopaul Enchery) and a daughter (Cristina Jopaul).
Joe Paul with his family
livelihood
soccer
Joe Paul Ancheri showed interest in football since his early school days. He was focused on developing and dedicating himself to becoming a footballer from a very young age. He worked hard and disciplined himself in training camps and received his first professional contract when State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT) signed him in 1992.
domestic career
State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT)
Joe Paul’s professional career started with State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT), currently State Bank of India Kerala Football Club. After his successful training in the camps, he was called to play for SBT in 1992. They performed very well, with Paul consistently living up to the hype surrounding him. After spending his first professional season at the State Bank of Travancore club, he left them at the end of the 1992–1993 season.
mohun bagan
After a stellar season at State Bank of Travancore, Joe Paul received offers from several clubs. After a long discussion, he finally put an end to the rumors when he announced that he had signed for Kolkata-based Mohun Bagan. He was thrilled with the idea of playing with IM Vijayan of Thrissur, Kerala. He gave a top performance and instantly won the hearts of fans. His first season with the Kolkata team was memorable and he scored in his very first match. He established himself as a fan favorite through his adorable performances. Joe Paul’s first season with Bagan was historic as he won the Calcutta Football League (CFL), Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup, Durand Cup and Federation Cup. He won the game for his team by scoring a hat-trick in the final of Sikkim Gold Cup after falling behind by two goals. His first stint at Mohun Bagan lasted only one season; The following year he left them. During the 1993–1994 season, he established himself as one of the best players in the country and received his first call up to the Indian national team. He returned to Mohun Bagan in the 1998–1999 season, playing for the remainder of the season, and eventually left them at the end of the season. After playing a brief period for their arch-rivals East Bengal (2001–2002), Joe Paul returned to Mohun Bagan in the 2004–2005 season, which was his final season as a professional player.
JCT Football Club
After his first season with Mohun Bagan he joined JCT Football Club. He joined the Punjab-based club in 1994 and remained a part of the team until 1997. He enjoyed tremendous success during his time at the club as he won the Scissors Cup title (1995) and the Federation Cup (1996). JCT won its first NFL title in the 1996–97 season.
Joe Paul (front row – far right) with the JCT football team (1996/1997 season)
He achieved the IFA Shield title in 1996. After three successful seasons at the club, Joe Paul decided it was time to move on and find a new challenge. He left JCT Mills FC (now known as Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Football Club) in 1997 and returned to Kerala to play for FC Cochin. He returned to the Punjab-based club after five years in 2002; He was part of the club for the next two seasons and left them at the end of the 2003–2004 season.
FC Cochin
After completing a transfer from JCT Football Club Joe Paul joined the newly founded FC Cochin (“Football Club Cochin” was a professional football club that played in the National Football League). He was also accompanied by IM Vijayan, with whom he has shared many matches as teammate and opponent. FC Cochin became champions of the Durand Cup in the 1997–1998 season, where they defeated Mohun Bagan 3–1 in the final. Joe Paul captained FC Cochin in the final against his former club and performed brilliantly to defeat Mohun Bagan. In their first season, they reached the final of the Caesars Cup (1997) held in Kerala. They played against Bahraini team West Riffa Club, who were declared winners after a coin toss when there was a power cut in the stadium. He then decided to leave the club at the end of the season and announced that he would be joining Mohun Bagan for his second stint at the Kolkata-based club. However, he returned to Kolkata side FC Cochin the following season (1999–2000), staying at the club for the 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 seasons and signing with East Bengal for the 2001–2002 season.
East Bengal
Joe Paul left FC Cochin and emerged as a player for the East Bengal club in 2001. Having previously played for Mohun Bagan, this was the first time Kolkata fans were seeing him in the colors of their arch-rival. In an interview he talked about Kolkata fans and said that they will always support or criticize you depending on your performance. He spent his first and final season for East Bengal during the 2001–2002 season and agreed to join JCT Football Club at the end of the 2001–2002 season.
international career
On 14 September 1994, Joe Paul made his international debut and scored his first international goal against Bangladesh. Joe Paul’s brilliant season with Mohun Bagan did not go unnoticed in the national football world. He came into limelight when the news of his joining Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan after his transfer broke. Despite being a new face to the club, he became a key player for the Mohun Bagan team. In an interview, he recalled that early success with Mohun Bagan was the main reason for his international opportunities in 1994. He was part of the Indian national football team between 1994 and 2004. Joe Paul won the LG Cup (U23) for India against host nation Vietnam in 2001. He featured for the Indian national football team in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, SAFF Championship and South Asian Games. He was part of the Indian team that won the South Asian Football Federation Cup in 1997 and 1999. In 1995, they were runners-up against Sri Lanka, scoring the winning goal in the 108th minute after normal time ended goalless. He was also part of the team that reached the second round of the Asian Games in 1998. In a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Joe Paul scored twice against Yemen to help the team draw the match 3–3. Joe Paul secured three points in a World Cup qualifier by scoring the only goal in India’s win against Brunei on 11 May 2001. In India’s 5–0 win over Brunei on 20 May 2001, Joe Paul scored from the back of the net. He was part of the Indian team that finished runner-up in the 2003 Afro-Asian Games. He made his last appearance for the Indian national team in 2004. His international career was cut short after suffering an ankle injury, forcing him to announce his early retirement from international football.
commentator
After announcing his retirement from professional football, Joe Paul tried his hand at football commentary. He is famous for his role as a Malayalam commentator and pundit for Star Sports Malayalam. He became part of the regional expert panel for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by ViaCom18.
award
- He was nominated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the Arjuna Award in 2004 and 2005.
- All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year Award: He has won the prestigious award twice, in 1994 and 2001.
Facts/General Knowledge
- He shares a special bond with former footballer IM Vijayan. Both of them have played together at Mohun Bagan, JCT Football Club, FC Cochin, East Bengal and were part of the Indian national football team between 1994–2003. The special bond of Joe Paul and IM Vijayan has created some of the best moments in Indian football both internationally and domestically.
Memories ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8YmUvHk22f
– IM Vijayan (@IMVijayan1) 4 May 2020
- He appeared in the Malayalam drama ‘Anaparambile World Cup’ directed by Nikhil Premraj with his long-term friend IM Vijayan.
- After an ankle injury ruled Paul out of the Indian national football team, he started working as a Lower Division Clerk in the Health Ministry of the Kerala State Government and revealed that despite everything he had, he Had to struggle to deal with his situation. Did for his country.
- Joe Paul is a member of the special observation panel of Novus Soccer Academy led by former Indian captain U Sharaf Ali. Former Indian players like IM Vijayan are also in administration roles in the mega-project, which aims to establish a professional football club under the academy by 2028.
- Apart from playing football in various national teams, Joe has also worked in a district medical office in Kerala.
- After Stephen Constantine stepped down as head coach of the Indian national football team in 2019, Joe Paul suggested that the All India Football Federation appoint an experienced foreign manager who can take the Indian team to new heights. Igor Stimac succeeded Constantine as the head coach of the Indian national football team in 2019. Igor Stimac, former Croatian footballer, was part of the Croatian national team that won the bronze medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He also managed the Croatian national football team between 2012 and 2013.
- Joe Paul drinks alcohol.
Joe Paul seen drinking with his national teammates
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn