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VP Sathyan (1965–2006) was a former Indian professional footballer turned coach. He was an indispensable player in whatever teams he played for. An ardent football lover, Sathyan gave his all on the field. He was known for his precise tackling in the game and this was the highlight of his game. He committed suicide on 18 July 2006.
Wiki/Biography
Vatta Parambath Sathyan was born in Mekkunnu near Chokli in Kannur, Kerala on Thursday, 29 April 1965 (age 41 years at the time of death). Sathyan is considered one of the best players in the history of Indian football. He was known for his defensive skills, discipline and leadership qualities. He captained the Indian national football team between 1991 and 1995. Sathyan, who played as a centre-back, also scored a few goals. Most notable is the goal he scored from 35 yards against South Korea in the 1986 Merdeka tournament, which helped India win the match.
Physical Appearance
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
VP Sathyan belonged to a Malayali family in Kannur, Kerala.
parents and siblings
His father, Vatta Parambath Gopalan Nair, was a policeman, and his mother was Narayanani Amma.
wife and children
He was married to Anita, a clerk in the Sports Council office in Kozhikode. His daughter Athira got married in 2017.
livelihood
soccer
domestic club
He started his career in 1979 playing for Lucky Star Club in Kannur, Kerala. His consistent performances and technical qualities earned him a place in the Kannur district team and soon after, he was selected for the Kerala state team. He played for some of the top clubs in India and represented the country in various tournaments. Complications from an injury he suffered early in his career cost him dearly and forced him to retire from football very early.
VP Sathyan and IM Vijayan
Lucky Star Club
There is a strong connection between VP Sathyan’s football career and Kannur district. Sathyan started his career at Lucky Star Club in Kannur. He joined them in 1979 and by 1983 he had become an integral part of the club.
Kerala Police Football Club
Kerala Police Football Club was established in 1984. VP Sathyan was the center of the defence, and with teammates like IM Vijayan, the Police Club made history. They won the Federation Cup in 1990 and 1991. During this period, Kerala Police Football Club reached its renowned status in the domestic league. Sathyan won the hearts of the fans with his defensive ability and leadership qualities and was the focal point of the team and inspired his teammates to perform better and play cohesively as a team. His impressive performances with Kerala Police Club earned him his first international call-up. Sathyan was a player for the Kerala Police Football Club for eight consecutive seasons between 1984 and 1992. He bid goodbye to Kerala Police Club in 1992 after receiving an offer from Mohun Bagan. He returned to the Police club in the 1994–1995 season and left at the end of the season.
VP Satyan receiving praise from K Karunakaran
mohun bagan
VP Sathyan’s iconic performance at the Kerala Police Club did not go unnoticed in the football world. Various clubs tried to sign him, but it was not easy to convince him to leave Kerala Police Club. However, in 1992, Mohun Bagan was successful in securing his signature, and Sathyan was ready to try his luck outside Kerala. He most recently played a season with Mohun Bagan and returned to Kerala Police Club at the end of the season.
Indian Bank
He joined Indian Bank in 1995 from Kerala Police Club. This was his final club, and he announced his retirement in 2001. He was part of the team for six years and enjoyed a successful stint with the club.
international career
Sathyan’s performances for the Kerala state team and Kerala Police Club were crucial to his chances in the Indian national football team. He made his international debut with the Indian football team in 1985 during the Nehru Cup held in Thiruvananthapuram. In an international career spanning over ten years, he played 81 matches for India and scored four goals. A significant achievement under his captaincy was that India improved its previous ranking from 119 to 99 in the FIFA global ranking list. In 1993, under Sathyan’s captaincy, India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for the first time and in 1995 they finished as runners-up. He won a gold medal at the South Asian Games in 1985 and a silver medal in 1993 as part of the Indian national football team. He announced his retirement from international football in 1995.
VP Sathyan with Indian players after winning SAFF 1993
managerial career
VP Sathyan joined the Indian Bank Football Club in 1995. He took over the coaching responsibilities of the club in April 2000 and he continued to play for the National Bank Football Club as a player-cum-coach, even when injuries hampered his prospects. Was limiting. He worked so hard to save his career that he continued playing even after having a steel rod inserted in his injured leg. After stepping down from his post, Sathyan became a full-time coach. He also served as an assistant coach under Stephen Constantine (the then Indian coach) when India toured South Korea in 2002.
VP Sathyan, as assistant coach of the Indian national football team
award
- All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year Award – 1992
Death
VP Sathyan committed suicide on 18 July 2006. According to some sources, he jumped in front of a train. It was reported that after moving away from football he suffered from depression and became addicted to alcohol and was never the cheerful VP Sathyan again. Reports also suggest that he had huge debts and after finding no way to repay them, he committed suicide. Police found suicide notes addressed to different people from his body. One was for his wife in which he expressed how sorry he was for leaving her alone and that he had lost everything due to drug addiction, and suicide was his only option. In an interview, his wife, Anita, denied the suicide rumors and said,
“Sathyan cannot commit suicide. It was an accident, not suicide. When I was told about his death, I insisted on seeing his body. Except for a small injury on the back of his head, there were no other wounds anywhere on his body. His body did not look like that of a person who jumped in front of a train. His shoes were still intact. I saw it myself…”
Facts/General Knowledge
- 2018 Malayalam film based on the life of Captain Sathyan. Malayalam actor Jayasurya played the role of VP Sathyan and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2019 for his brilliant portrayal of VP Sathyan. Anu Sithara played the role of Sathyan’s wife Anita.
- Sathyan’s wife Anita launched the VP Sathyan Soccer School in Kozhikode, Kerala in November 2013 in memory of her late husband.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn