Gurdev Singh Gill (footballer)

Gurdev Singh Gill is a former Indian football player. He hails from Punjab. He was honoured with Arjuna Award, the highest sports award in India in the year 1978 for his achievements as a football player.

Gurdev Singh Gill
Personal information
Date of birth (1950-04-20) 20 April 1950 (age 74)
Place of birthKharar Acharwal, Punjab, India[1]
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s)Defender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1970–1973Leaders Club, Jalandhar
1974–1990FC Punjab Police
1978East Bengal Club
1979–1990FC Punjab Police
International career
1970–1979India
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Singh Gill being felicitated by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (IC) and Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in New Delhi.

He is one of the three Punjabi football players to have received this prestigious award. He retired as a Commandant from Punjab Police in 2008. Settled now in Jalandhar and occasionally in Canada.

Club career

  • Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973
  • Punjab Police Football Club, Jalandhar : 1974 to 1990
  • East Bengal Football Club Calcutta : 1978

Early career

  • Played for Rajput High School, Village Binjon, District. Hoshiarpur.
  • Graduated from Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur.
  • Represented Indian Football team while studying at SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur.

Professional career

  • Played for Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973
  • Joined Punjab Police : 1974
  • Played for Punjab Police Football team : 1974 to 1990
  • Played for East Bengal Football Club, Calcutta : 1978
  • Coach Punjab Police Football team : 1990 to 2000
  • Coach Indian Police Football team at World police games, Nepal : 2001 (bronze medal)
  • Santosh Trophy : 1970 Punjab won it
  • Santosh Trophy held at Jalandhar : 1974 Punjab beat Bengal 6-0 in the finals (record still holds till today)
  • Retired as Superintendent of Police, Punjab Police : 2008

International career

  • Asia Cup : 1970
  • Asian Games Tehran, Iran : 1974
  • Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand : 1978 (Captain)
  • Agha Khan Gold Cup, Indonesia : 1977 (hattrick against Bangladesh)
  • Kings Cup, Seoul, South Korea (goal against South Korea, 45 yards)
  • Meddreka Soccer, D'jakarta : 1976
  • World Police Games, Nepal : 2001 (Coach) : bronze medal
  • Afghan Jashan Celebration tournament, Kabul : 1975
  • Pre-olympics in Rangoon, Burma : 1972
  • President Gold Cup, Singapore : 1976

Life outside football

  • He retired as a Commandant of Police from Punjab Police in 2008.
  • Served as Sports Secretary of Punjab Police from 2000–2004.
  • Coached Punjab Police Football team that won All India Police Games between 2000-2006.
  • Member Punjab Football Association Selection Committee.
  • Organises a big Football tournament at his village Kharar Achharwal, every year.

Honours

  • Recipient of Arjuna Award : 1978[2][3][4]
  • Recipient of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award : 1984
  • Recipient of President Police Medal for Meritorious Service : 2000
  • Footballer of the Millennium by Delhi Sports Journalists' Association : 2000

References