Ashok ‘Babu’ Arolkar

With the ability to constantly keep opponents guessing, ‘Babu’ Arolkar was competence personified in the midfield. Starting with Panvel, then Salgaocar, Vasco and eventually Dempo, he was an accurate passer of the ball and captained Dempo to a memorable Rovers Cup triumph in 1980. Normally slotted on the flanks, Arolkar had good technique and his physical prowess meant he could bulldoze his way past opponents. He played a crucial role in Bob Bootland’s revolutionary 4-3-3- formation, overlapping from the left of midfield to become the fourth attacker and also provide crosses for the strikers to score. As a person, he was meticulous, jotting down every detail and filing away every newspaper cutting that carried any mention of his beloved club.