Kolkata Maidan madness

The excitement is back, maybe not in the way football fans in Kolkata would have expected.

THE excitement is back, maybe not in the way football fans in Kolkata would have expected. Ever since the UB Group robbed club fanatics of their rare moments of glory 8212; kidnapping a player of the opposite camp is still considered an art form here 8212; by sponsoring both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in 1998, officials have begun to scout elsewhere for players. The madness associated with the transfer season was seemingly lost as UB Group barred both its clubs from poaching on each other8217;s players or even if they did, it was at the cost of Rs 10 lakh per player. This time, though, the transfer season has been turned on its head by former East Bengal and current Mohammedan Sporting coach Subhas Bhowmick.

Biggest Loser: East Bengal

There are rumours that Bhowmick is out to settle scores with his old club that had asked him to step down following bribery charges last year. But, the way he has gone about luring the best players of East Bengal to Mohammedan Sporting, the officials of the red-and-gold brigade are at their wit8217;s end. Having disposed of their charismatic and innovative Belgian coach Philippe de Ridder despite finishing runners-up in the National Football League NFL and winning the Super Cup, the East Bengal officials watched the exodus in dismay. Mike Okoro, Syed Rahim Nabi, M Suresh and Shylo Malsawmtluanga shifted allegiance to Mohammedan Sporting. As if that was not all, club8217;s highest scorer Bhutia moved to Bagan.

Biggest Gainer: Mohun Bagan

Bagan is touted as the 8220;Dream Team8221; for the 2006-07 season. Bhutia8217;s move to Bagan was the best-kept secret, but Jose Ramirez Barreto8217;s signing was never in doubt. Despite leading Mahindra United to a double triumph, as the club won the Federation Cup and the NFL, Barreto moved to his former club for an astronomical sum 8212; reportedly Rs 60-65 lakh. The club has retained most of their star players from last season, besides roping in the likes of Dipak Mondal, Subhas Chakraborty and Surajit Bose from Mahindra United.

THE big catch: Douglas D8217;Silva for Mohammedan Sporting

The team that just managed to survive relegation8212;win in the last league game against Salgaocar saw them stay in elite company8212; signing Brazilian Douglas D8217;Silva is seen as a coup of sorts. Apart from his collection of East Bengal deserters, he has swayed the likes of Noel Wilson and S Firoz from Mohun Bagan.