A LANDMARK moment of football history said to be a “best-kept secret” will be celebrated as part of a club’s 120th anniversary.
Northern League team Crook Town AFC were the first British squad to be invited to tour India as part of an exhibition tournament in 1976.
The trip saw the County Durham team play in front of thousands of fans and rub shoulders with India’s elite.
The Calcutta Cup – a trophy presented to players by the then president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed – is to go on display in a glass case at the Millfield Ground, in West Road, Crook.
Dr Arun Banerjee was the club’s doctor and joined the players in May 1976 for their trip to his home country.
The now-retired Crook GP is to help committee chairman Stephen Buddle write a book for visitors as the club prepares to mark 120 years next season.
Mr Buddle said: “I didn’t realise the significance of the trip.
“I went to Dr Banerjee’s house and we looked at some old photographs. It blew me away that we were the first British team. How good is that for a team of our stature?”
Dr Banerjee, now 75, travelled to London to collect the permission forms from the Football Association to go on the trip.
He said: “All the money that was raised was given to poor players and retired players. It is one story that Crook Town players can tell their grandsons.”
Mr Buddle added he would welcome a rematch with Mohum Bagam, India’s equivalent of Manchester United, with whom they drew 1-1.
Steve Chaytor, managing director of leisure organisation Tees Active and a football enthusiast, wrote a book about the tournament, called Can You Get Bobby Charlton?
He said: “It is the best-kept secret.
“I just think that so few people know about it and it’s a story that deserves telling and re-telling.
“It’s quite a tale and a fantastic adventure. Someone should make a film about it.”
The Indian authorities had wanted a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad to joining the tour, preferably Bobby Charlton.
Crook Town authorities did meet Charlton and he initially agreed to take part, but was unable to travel due to injury.
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