[1]After an elusive career spanning three decades, in which he played for India four years, veteran footballer M.M. Jacob will retire from the Central Excise and Customs Department and return to his ‘Soccer Home’ in Aluva on Monday.
Mr. Jacob will be retiring as superintendent from the department where he joined on sports quota in 1975, soon after his three year stint in the Calicut University team.
The G.V. Raja Gold Medal winner and twice voted best footballer of the State is presently the sports officer at the Excise.
During his days with the Indian team, Jacob had played in a number international tournaments such as President’s Cup in Seoul (1976), King’s Cup, Bangkok (1977), The 8th Asian Games in Bangkok (1978) and also participated in the Goodwill Tour to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bahrain in 1979.
“It has been a long journey and I am thankful to everyone, who supported me over the years,” said Mr. Jacob, currently on deputation as the chief coach of Kerala Santhosh Trophy team.
Even while being an inseparable part of the Excise XI for 16 years he had represented the State team for the Santhosh Trophy for 8 consecutive years (1974-1982).
It is the seventh time that Mr. Jacob will be touring with the state team as coach and he says, “I hope to make this retirement year a memorable one, by getting back the Santhosh Trophy.”
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