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Robert Allison Bootland (died 13 June 2007) was an English professional football coach active primarily in India. He was the first foreign club coach in India.[1][2] Bootland was described as "a taskmaster with a no-nonsense attitude."[1]

Career

Robert Allison Bootland was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He first arrived in India in 1977 as a tourist,[1] and after being invited to watch a senior league game involving Dempo SC, Bootland decided to stay in India and become a full-time professional football coach.[1]

Bootland began his football coaching career with Dempo SC, the same club which had inspired his new-found career. Bootland said, " had been to this wonderful land to meet my friend's parents. Dempo management invited to me to watch the game. I found the Goans good footballers. Soon the coaching offer came and I accepted it."[3] Bootland won the Rovers Cup with Dempo in only his second year in charge, 1978,[2] after introducing a 4–3–3 formation; the side was described as "[a] well balanced side" who were "in peak physical condition."[4] After a brief spell as manager of the Indian national side in 1982,[1][2] Bootland then became coach of JCT Mills winning the Durand Cup in 1983.[2] Bootland later returned to Dempo SC, where he won the Rovers Cup for a second time in 1986.[2] Bootland returned to the Indian national side – this time as an assistant coach – in 1987 for that year's edition of the Nehru Cup.[5] Bootland then coached club sides Sesa Goa FC and MRF FC,[6] before becoming coach of Vasco SC. He was sacked as Vasco manager in October 1998.[6] Bootland ended his coaching career with Tatas FC.[1][2]

In his later career, Bootland became an outspoken critic of Indian football, claiming that, "politics in Indian football is killing the players."[3]

Honours

Personal life

Bootland was married to an Indian woman named Fatima who was a schoolteacher and amateur athlete.[1] The couple had two sons named Allison and Ronald.[1]

Death

Bootland died on 13 June 2007 in a hospital in Bambolim after complaining of chest pains. He was aged either 72,[1] or 73.[2] The cause of death was later determined to be a heart attack.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Aigner, Micky (14 June 2007). "Coach Bob Bootland dies". indianexpress.com. Pune: The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bob Bootland passes away". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata, West Bengal: The Telegraph. 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  3. ^ a b Dharmendra Jore (8 August 1998). "Politics killing Indian football". Indian Express. Retrieved 9 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Dempo Sports Club: Looking ahead". Goa Football Association. Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  5. ^ "Nehru Cup 1987". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  6. ^ a b "News for the month of October". Indian Football. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
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