For the past couple of years, the FA has seen an ongoing decrease in the number of players of British Asian origin in the senior teams. Swansea defender, Neil Taylor is currently the only player of Indian origin to play for a senior side in the first division league of England, a problem that has come up time and again. A little while ago, news of 18-year old Yan Dhanda and his prolific participation in the youth ranks of Liverpool grabbed headlines in the country.
Over time, names like Michael Chopra, Vikash Dhorasoo, and Harmeet Singh have also come up but such names have been rare and quite less than what is normally expected; especially since India, as a whole has a culture of football that goes years back. It is one of the most popular sports in the country in terms of participation and enthusiasm. A wide fanbase of international football is prevalent here.
We look at 5 lesser known footballers of Indian origin.
#1 Malvind Benning
23-year old Malvind Benning was born in West Bromwich to Indian parents where he also completed his education. He kickstarted his career at League One club Walsall and progressed though its youth ranks before being loaned out to Southern Football League side Evesham United in 2012. His first appearance for the senior side for Walsall came in November 2012 as a substitute.
In 2014, Benning received the Young Player of the Year award at Walsall's award ceremony. Starting from 2015, Benning plays for the League Two side, Mansfield Town. Benning is an ardent Liverpool supporter for the simple reason that all of his family have followed the club.
He is known for his abilities with the ball especially when it comes to tricky crosses and positional play. He is known to have been influenced by Ashley Cole who is a talented left-back in both the attacking and defensive sense of the game.
#2 Aman Verma
Aman Verma started his youth career with current Premier League champions Leicester City but he failed to break into the first team following which he was eventually released from the club. After this, he played for Bedworth United and Conference North side, Redditch United, for varying time periods. He rejoined Leicester in 2008 and was handed a six-month contract before receiving a one-year contract extension.
However, he did not play for Leicester as he was immediately sent out on loan to Crewe Alexander. The midfielder was eventually included in the Leicester senior squad in 2010 but he remained an unused substitute in the match. After being released by Leicester in 2011, he played for Histon and Floriana (Maltese Premier League) for a year each.
He currently plays for Torquay United, an association football club based in Devon that plays in the National League. Verma has, since his loan contract there, been offered a permanent deal owing to his prowess and elegance at the centre of the park.
#3 Harpal Singh
Born in Bradford in England, Harpal Singh started out his youth career at the historically great club, Leeds United. He made his professional debut in a senior side when he was sent out on loan to Bury in 2001 where he registered 12 appearances for the Lague One side.
Alternately he has played for Bristol city, Bradford City, Stockport County, Sligo Rovers, Bohemians and Dundalk. His contract at Dundalk was for 6 months after which he was officially released from the club.
Harpal Singh was also the top-scorer among the U-19s Championship during his time at Leeds united in 1999 with five goals to his credit. He was invited to play for the youth side of Leeds after a scout watched him play at a match in Sunday League football.
On the topic of him being the first British Asian to represent the senior side of a Top Club in the Premier League, he said, “I don't know the reasons why there are so few of us. And I prefer not to look at the reasons because that's being negative. I'd rather think positively, that I may be the first and many others will follow. Generally, though, I try not to look at the fact I'm different from everybody else."
Singh retired in 2009. During his career, his preferred position was that of a left-winger.
#4 Roger Verdi
Often known as the pioneer among British Asians in football, Verdi's career began after a local scout spotted him at a county game and signed him up for the Wolverhampton Wanderers who were then a First Division English club. He asked for a release soon after and moved to Ipswich Town who had at that time had the legendary Sir Bobby Robson at their helm. He stayed at Ipswich for four years during which he progressed through its youth ranks.
He was a victim of racism at the club which prevented his promotion to the senior side of the club. Born Rajinder Singh Virdee to Sikh parents in Kenya, his parents moved to England when he was 7. His name, colloquially, became Roger Verdi at his new English school in Birmingham. He had an opportunity to play for Aston Villa at one point of time after impressing the management with his skill during one trial match. However, this opportunity was squashed by Ipswich town who refused to let him go.
He ended his career at San Jose Earthquakes playing in the North American Soccer League. He has played with and against some of the great names of football like Pele, George Best, Johan Cryuff and Franz Beckenbauer.
#5 Rhys Williams
Williams' mother hails from Mumbai while his father was born in Kent in England. He plays for the Australian football team since 2009. Prior to that, he has also represented Wales in the U21 team from 2007 to 2009.
Williams currently plays for Australian A-League side Perth Glory. In 2004, he travelled to England where he made appearances for clubs like Middlesborough, Burnley, and Charlton Athletic. The defender signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough in 2007, but was unable to make a cut for the first team as his career was cut short with injuries.
He extended his contract with Middlesbrough after 2009 but was sent out on loan to Burnley. Returning to Middlesbrough, a stellar game ensured that he keep his place in the starting XI. His first goal for Middlesbrough came in September 2009.
Williams made his Australian debut that year when he played against Japan in a World Cup Qualifier at the MCC. He made the preliminary squad for the 2010 World cup in South Africa but was unable to make the final squad due to injuries. His fantastic form in the 2008-09 season led to him being linked to several clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle United in the summer transfer window but none of them materialised.
