VP Sathyan (1965-2006) was a former Indian professional football player who later became a coach. He was an integral player on every team he played for. Satyan was an avid football lover who gave his all on the pitch. He is known for his precise steals during the game, which is also the biggest highlight of his game. He committed suicide on July 18, 2006.
Wiki/Biography
Vatta Parambath Sathyan was born on Thursday, April 29, 1965, in Mekkunnu near Chokli, Kannur, Kerala (age 41; at time of death). Satyam is considered one of the best players in the history of Indian football. He is known for his defensive prowess, discipline and leadership. From 1991 to 1995, he served as the captain of the Indian national football team. Satyen, who plays as a centre-back, also scored a few goals. The most noteworthy is his 35-yard goal against South Korea in the 1986 Independence Championship, helping India win the game.
appearance
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
VP Sathyan was born into a Malayali family in Kannur, Kerala.
Parents and siblings
His father, Vatta Parambath Gopalan Nair, was a police officer, and his mother’s name was Narayanni Amma.
wife and children
His wife Anisha is a clerk in the Kozhikode Sports Commission office. His daughter Athira got married in 2017.
Profession
football
domestic club
He started his career in 1979, playing for Lucky Stars FC in Kannur, Kerala. His consistent performance and technical qualities earned him a spot in the Kannur district team and soon after, he was selected for the Kerala team. He has played for some of the top clubs in India and represented the country in different tournaments. Injury complications early in his career took their toll and he had to say goodbye to football prematurely.
Vice President Sathyan and IM Vijayan
lucky star club
VP Sathyan’s football career is closely associated with the Kannur region. Sathyan started his career at Lucky Star Club in Kannur. He joined the team in 1979 and by 1983 he had become an integral part of the club.
kerala police football club
Kerala Police Football Club was founded in 1984. VP Sathyan was the center of defence, and along with teammates like IM Vijayan, the Police Club created history. They won the Confederations Cup in 1990 and 1991. During this period, Kerala Police Football Club rose to legendary status in the domestic league. Shatian won the favor of fans with his excellent defensive ability and leadership skills. He was the focus of the team, inspiring his teammates to perform better and unite as a team. His outstanding performances for the Kerala Police Club earned him his first call-up to the national team. Satyan was a player for Kerala Police Football Club for eight consecutive seasons between 1984 and 1992. He bid farewell to the Kerala Police Club in 1992 after receiving an invitation from Mohun Bagan. He returned to the Police Club in the 1994-1995 season and left at the end of the season.
Vice President Sathyan receives award from K Karunakaran
mohun bagan
Vice President Satyan’s iconic performances for the Kerala Police Club did not go unnoticed by the football fraternity. Different clubs tried to sign him but convincing him to leave Kerala Police FC was not easy. However, in 1992, Mohun Bagan managed to sign his name and Sathyan was ready to try his luck outside Kerala. He had just played one season at Mohun Bagan and returned to Kerala Police Club at the end of the season.
indian bank
He joined Bank of India in 1995 from Kerala Police Club. This was his final club and he announced his retirement in 2001. He was with the team for six years and enjoyed success at the club.
international careers
Satyam’s performances with the Kerala national team and Kerala Police club were crucial to his chances of joining the Indian national football team. He made his international debut for the Indian football team in 1985 during the Nehru Trophy in Thiruvananthapuram. In a national team career that lasted for more than ten years, he played 81 times for the Indian team and scored 4 goals. A significant achievement during his tenure as captain was India’s rise in the FIFA global rankings to 99th from 119th previously. In 1993, India won the first South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship under the leadership of Satyam and finished second in 1995. As a member of the Indian national football team, he won a gold medal at the 1985 South Asian Games and a silver medal in 1993. In 1995, he announced his retirement from the national team.
VP Sathyan with Indian players after winning SAFF in 1993
management career
VP Sathyan joined Indian Bank FC in 1995 and took over the coaching duties of the club in April 2000 and continued as player-coach of Indian Bank FC even as injuries limited his opportunities. He worked so hard to save his career that he continued to play even with a steel rod stuck in his injured leg. Shatian hung up his boots and became a full-time coach. He also served as an assistant coach under Stephen Constantine (then head coach of the Indian team) during the Indian team’s visit to South Korea in 2002.
VP Sathyan, Assistant Coach, Indian National Football Team
Awards
- All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year Award – 1992
die
VP Sathyan committed suicide on July 18, 2006. According to some sources, he committed suicide by jumping in front of a train. It was reported that he suffered from depression and addiction to alcohol after leaving football, and was no longer the cheerful vice-president Chatien. Reports also indicate that he was deeply in debt and committed suicide after being unable to find a way to repay his debts. Police found suicide notes written to different people from his body. One of them was written to his wife, in which he expressed how sorry he was to leave them and that he had lost everything to drug addiction and that suicide was his only option. His wife Anisha denied the suicide rumors in an interview and said:
“Sathya cannot commit suicide. It was an accident, not a suicide. When I learned about his death, I insisted on seeing his body. Except for a small injury on the back of his head, there were no other wounds on his body. His body doesn’t look like someone who jumped in front of a train. His shoes are still intact. This is what I saw with my own eyes…”
Facts/Trivia
- The 2018 Malayalam film Captain is based on Sathya’s life. Malayalam actor Jayasurya plays the role of VP Sathyan and won the Best Actor at the 2019 Kerala Film Awards for his brilliant performance as VP Sathyan. Anu Sithara plays Sathyan’s wife Anitha.
- Sathyan’s wife Anitha founded VP Sathyan Football School in Kozhikode, Kerala, in November 2013 in memory of her late husband.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education