KOCHI: IM Vijayan, the mercurial India footballer refuses to retire. Even if his India and club career ended in the mid-2000s, the 56-year-old continues to keep himself entertained, and regularly dazzle, Kerala, with Sevens Football, wildly popular in the state.
On Wednesday, however, Vijayan, the policeman will call time on his career. It will mark the end of one of the most unique — tumultuous and affection-filled — player-organisation relationships in Indian sport: Vijayan and Kerala Police, the organisation that ‘adopted’ him and gave wings to his footballing career.
Those familiar with Vijayan – nicknamed ‘Kalo Hoiran’ on Kolkata’s maidan for his unpredictable style of play — would attest that this unpredictable nature extended beyond the field. The contrast was particularly striking given his role in Kerala Police, an institution that values strict discipline. The sight of someone so free-spirited marching in police parades presented an interesting juxtaposition, but it also lent another dimension to Vijayan, the chameleon.
On the eve of his retirement, considering his contributions to the sport, the Kerala govt passed an extraordinary order by creating a supernumerary post of Deputy Commandant for the footballer at the Malabar Special Force.
Just like his retirement, Vijayan’s recruitment to the police team too came under extraordinary circumstances. In 1986, when Vijayan appeared for the selection trials, he was only 17. Technically, it was not possible for Kerala Police to recruit him. But on watching him at the trials, MK Joseph, the then Kerala DGP, decided to go beyond the rules and include him as a guest player. The decision turned the fortunes of both Vijayan, his police team, and perhaps, Indian football.
Starting as a constable in 1987, Vijayan showcased exceptional talent for Kerala Police at the Quilon Nationals in 1987. He soon became an integral part of the team that included the likes of many India regulars, VP Sathyan (defender), U Sharaf Ali (forward), CV Pappachan (winger), KT Chacko (goalkeeper) and Kurikesh Mathew (midfielders).
“In a team which had Pappachan, it was difficult to find a place for Vijayan in the beginning,” said the then Kerala Police team coach AM Sreedharan.
However, Vijayan quickly established himself as an essential team member with his remarkable finishing skills, and with Pappachan alongside, the duo became one of the most feared strike forces in the country in the late 1980s and early 1990s and gave Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal quite a fright. “We all had the capability to dribble, but he was too good inside the penalty box. It was like we just had to take the ball inside the box and Vijayan would do the rest,” recalled Pappachan.
Vijayan’s prolific goal-scoring ability helped Kerala Police achieve two back-to-back Federation Cup titles in 1990 and 1991. Soon, he was the hottest thing in Indian football, his goal-scoring prowess the envy of his rivals, and they were jostling with each other to sign him. Finally, it was Bagan who lured Vijayan to Kolkata in 1991 with an enticing offer. However, after a brief stint, he returned to the police team a year later.
“When Vijayan left for Kolkata in 1991, there were plans to terminate him from service. But along with some senior players, I convinced the higher authorities that after playing in Kolkata, Vijayan’s experience would help us, and he rejoined Kerala Police,” added Sreedharan.
But in 1993, he left the police squad again, but this time he left for a longer duration. “But when he left again, he showed no intentions of coming back, and the department had no choice other than to terminate him from service,” said Pappachan.
For almost two decades, he played for various clubs across the country that included JCT Mills, Phagwara, FC Kochin, East Bengal, and Churchill Brothers.
However, in 2012, when the Kerala Police squad was revamped, Vijayan was brought back and was made coach of the team. He returned as an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) and was later promoted to Assistant Commandant in 2021. “Vijayan is a brand, and that is the reason why he got special treatment. Both the department and the govt know this,” added Vijayan’s former teammate Sharaf Ali.
Post-retirement, Vijayan plans to stay closer to the game. “After retirement, my focus will remain on football, and I want to stay connected to it for the rest of my life,” said Vijayan, expressing his plans to establish a football academy in Thrissur, his hometown.