Bhaichung Bhutia: Facts and figures

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* Born in Tinkitam village, Namchi, in Sikkim on December 15, 1976.

* Was the top scorer of the first ever National Football League (now re-christened as I-League). He scored 14 goals for JCT Mills team and was also was selected Best Player of that Tournament.

* In 1999, became the first Indian to play professional football in England. (Bury FC — a Manchester-based League One team).

* Two-time Indian Player of the Year (1995 and 2008)

* Bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 1999 and the Padma Shri in 2008.

* Also played for the Malaysian club Perak FA in 2003.

* Joined East Bengal at the age of 16 in 1993, after impressing the pundits at Subroto Cup.

* In 2003, emerged top scorer in the first Asean Club Championship in Indonesia, scoring 9 goals for East Bengal.

* Also owns the record for most goals in a single match in the National Football league. He scored 5 goals JCT Mills against Mahindra United (1997).

* Sikkim Government honoured him by naming the a stadium in Namchi as Baichung Bhutia stadium.
Has scored 43 goals for the national team (107 matches).

* In October 2010, he founded Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi.

Major clubs: East Bengal Club, JCT Mills, Mohun Bagan AC, Bury FC.