Footballer John J John laid to rest

KOCHI: The mortal remains of footballer John J John, who died last Wednesday, was laid to rest at the CSI Cemetery in Ayyappan Kavu here on Sunday.Earlier, Kerala’s football fraternity, including members of the 1973 Santosh Trophy winning squad, paid their last respects at the late footballer’s residence ‘Blessings’ at Chilavannur.John, a renowned defender during his time, was part of the famous Kerala squad that won the Santosh Trophy for the first time at the Maharaja’s College Stadium here in 1973.  Kerala’s captain and hat-trick hero in the final then, T K S Mani led the former teammates, including C C Jacob, M R Joseph,  K P Williams, M O Jose, Victor Manjila, Ishak, Devanand, Prasannan, Mithran, Blassy George and P Paulose, in paying respects.Excise Minister and Ernakulam District Football Association president K Babu, MLA Benny Behanan, Kerala Football Association president K M I Mather, KFA secretary K P Sunny and KFA vice-president and a member of the 1969 Kerala team, which won the junior national championship under John’s captaincy, Kocheeppan Mappilai were also in attendance. Representatives of FACT, where John spent his entire career,too paid homage.Among other former players who attended the funeral were K A Anson, C R Balakrishnan,  Jose P Augustine, Renji Jacob,  K V Davis and G Joseph. National basketball selection committee chairman P J Sunny also attended.