Danny gives himself last chance withYoungs

Danny doesn’t regret those days anymore,he rather looks back at the little bit of stardom he managed for himself. He recollects his time with two big clubs which were no less challenging. The midfielder was a part of the first XIs that punched above their weight to make a comeback to the national league’s elite. “With both Mohammedan Sporting and Churchill Brothers I had my task cut out. Both were demoted to the second division when I was playing and the way we lifted our game and qualified for the I-League,made us a bunch of heroes,” the 28-year-old said.

“I liked the way Churchill treated me after qualifying for the I-League. They are really grateful to those who stood by them during problems.”

But the craze after Mohammedan Sporting stepped back into the big league had him awestruck. “I was hurriedly given a slot in the Mohammedan Sporting first XI in the second year (2003-04) after the relegation. The fan following at the end of the season was crazy. I was fortunate to see the happy end of Kolkata football. When you win you are on the top of the world and the same people go after you with a single bad day. This creates a lot of pressure on the players but makes it all the more challenging. I only miss the respect I got playing for Mohammedan Sporting. But they didn’t increase the money. Had they done it I would still have been playing for them,” Danny rued.

Another option
Uncertain of the future,he is ready to give his playing career another chance in the second division of the I-League or else take up coaching. “I joined Simla Youngs because I want to play in the I-League qualifiers. I’ll wait for another two years because you never now what can happen. Coaching is another option,” Danny said.

His career has prepared him for a failure too. “If I fail again,I will go back home and coach. It’s the 19th year running that I’m away from home. I’m the eldest among seven brothers and sisters and have a lot of responsibilities.”