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[caption id="attachment_37394" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Football fraternity unites to pay rich tribute to late Shibaji Banerjee | Image: XtarTime[/caption]

Kolkata: The football fraternity of the state united together to pay a rich tribute to late Shibaji Banerjee. 65 year old Shibaji Banerjee left for heavenly abode after suffering from a cardiac arrest on Sunday night. Regarded as a Mohun Bagan legend, Mr Banerjee represented the Mariners for 11 years, winning a record 34 trophies for the club. He also played against Brazilian legend Pele when New York Cosmos toured India in 1977, and the picture of Shibaji diving with stretched arms to save a shot from Pele is still in the memories of football lovers.

Banerjee also had a brilliant game in an IFA Shield match against top Russian side Ararat. Legend has it that he was unbeatable on aerial balls that particular day as the game was locked at 2-2. In fact from 1977-1980, he never conceded a goal against arch rival East Bengal.

The last rites of late Shibaji Banerjee was observed on Monday. His dead body was taken from his residence to Ganashakti office and from there to Mohun Bagan tent, Cricket Association of Bengal and Nimtala ghat.

Banerjee, who made a name for himself under the bars, was also a competent club level cricketer.  He played cricket in CAB first division league. He represented Port Trust when he was appointed the vice-president of Cricket Association of Bengal.

Post retirement, he served in various committees of Mohun Bagan club. Presently he was the technical committee member of the club. He was there in the stands on Saturday watching Mohun Bagan's 3-1 win over DSK Shivajians. Bagan, in a statement also informed that the executive committee of the club will hold a condolence meeting on March 3. The club’s flag remained half mast as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

Among those who were present to pay rich tribute at the Bagan club tent were a horde of ex-players which included Chuni Goswami, Prasun Banerjee, Subrata Bhattarcharya, Sisir Ghosh, Prasanta Banerjee, Gautam Sarkar, Chinmoy Chatterjee, Monoranjan Bhattacharya, Aloke Mukherjee, Atanu Bhattacharya, Bhaskar Ganguly, Dibyendu Barua, Satyajit Chatterjee, Sujit Bose. Current squad members including star Haitian Sony Norde, Jeje Lalpekhlua, and Pronoy Halder were also in attendance mourning the death of their technical committee member

"We lost two diehard fans in the span of two weeks," Norde said referring to the Bagan faithful Soumya Mukherjee, who died earlier in the month in a train accident while returning from the Kolkata Derby in Siliguri.

Mr Banerjee represented all the Big 3 in Kolkata maidan. But his best time while playing for Mohun Bagan. He represented Bagan from 1977-85.

According to former footballer Subrata Bhattacharya, “IFA should think about having an award after his name for the best goalkeeper in the Calcutta League.”

Another former footballer Bhaskar Ganguly said, “We met many times on the football field. I have won many times against him in the match. When I conceded 5 goals to East Bengal in 1975, it was he who came first to me and encouraged me to make a comeback.”

Former hockey international and son of Late Dhyanchand, Ashoke Kumar too was at the club tent to pay his last tribute. Later he said, “I used to be a diehard Mohun Bagan fan. We shared so many interesting stories at the club tent.”

Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen too joined in paying tribute to late Shibaji Banerjee. “He always spotted a bright smile on his face whenever we met. He used to come regularly for our practice and encourage our players. I have not seen anyone who is so passionate about the game.”

Former Mohun Bagan legend Chuni Goswami said, “It is a very tragic incident. Death is always tragic and we lost a very dear friend. I hope his soul will rest in peace.”