Samar Banerjee

Samar "Badru" Banerjee (; 30 January 1930 – 20 August 2022) was an Indian footballer who played primarily as a striker for the India national football team. He captained India at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where they achieved fourth place.

Early and personal life

Samar Banerjee was born on 30 January 1930, in Bally, Howrah, Bengal Presidency. His father, Sasanka Sekhar Banerjee, enrolled him in R. G. Kar Medical College for medical education. Banerjee won the IFA Shield in his debut season with the "green-and-maroon brigade" in controversial final against Rajasthan Club of Calcutta. He then guided the club to their first ever Durand Cup next season. Banerjee again hogged the Maidan limelight in 1954 when they secured another first, a double with the CFL and IFA Shield titles.

In 1958, Banerjee was chosen as team captain. Besides guiding Mohun Bagan to several trophies including their first ever Durand Cup in 1953, Rovers Cup in 1955, Banerjee has represented West Bengal and won Santosh Trophy twice in 1953 and 1955. He then toured with the club to East Africa, with players including P. K. Banerjee.

With India, he participated in three Summer Olympics and captained the team in 1956 that finished fourth, after losing to Bulgaria 3–0 in the bronze medal playoff. Banerjee also appeared with the India against numerous visiting European teams in exhibition matches in 1954, including a 1–0 defeat to Allsvenskan club AIK at CC&FC Ground in Kolkata.

Managerial career After retiring, Banerjee involved in coaching and managed then Calcutta Football League premier division side Barisha Sporting Club. He then became head coach of Bengal in 1961, and guided the team winning 1962 Santosh Trophy.

Death Banerjee died from complications of COVID-19 on 20 August 2022, at the age of 92.

Career statistics Scores and results list India's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Banerjee goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Samar Banerjee No.DateVenueOpponentResultCompetition1 12 December 1956 Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia 7–1 Friendly

Honours Banerjee being felicitated by the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, 2017. Mohun Bagan Durand Cup: 1953 Calcutta Football League: 1954, 1955, 1956, 1959 IFA Shield: 1952, 1954, 1956 Rovers Cup: 1955

India Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament: 1954

Bengal Santosh Trophy: 1953, 1955

Individual Mohun Bagan Ratna: 2009 Jiban Kriti Sanman by the Government of West Bengal: 2017