Dempo SC finish off in style

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 18^th minute — Ranti Martins putting it past rival goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal for his 32^nd goal of the League.

The lead was doubled in the 31^st 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 87^th 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 5^th I-League triumph.

PRIZE MONEY OF I-LEAGUE:

• Champions: Rs. 70 lakh

• Runners-up: Rs. 40 lakh

• 3^rd Place: Rs. 25 lakh

• 4^th 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 (Four-times):  2004/05; 2006/07; 2007/08; 2009/10.

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.

ROLL OF HONOUR — NFL

YEAR                   CHAMPIONS                 RUNNERS-UP                

1996-97                              JCT                                     Churchill Brothers

1997-98               Mohun Bagan                   East Bengal

1998- 99              Salgaocar                           East Bengal

1999-00               Mohun Bagan                   Churchill Brothers

2000-01               East Bengal                                      Mohun Bagan

2001-02               Mohun Bagan                   Churchill Brothers

2002-03               East Bengal                                      Salgaocar Club

2003-04               East Bengal                                      Dempo Club

2004-05               Dempo Club                     Sporting Clube

2005-06               Mahindra United            East Bengal

2006-07               Dempo Club                     JCT Club

ROLL OF HONOUR – I-League

YEAR                   CHAMPIONS                 RUNNERS-UP

2007-08               Dempo Club                     Churchill Brothers

2008-09               Churchill Brothers          Mohun Bagan

2009-10               Dempo SC                         Churchill Brothers

2010-11               Salgaocar Club                 East Bengal

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