KOCHI: Former Kerala state footballer B Devanand who helped the state win their maiden Santosh Trophy national football championship title in 1973 died at the age of 71 at Tripunithura here on Tuesday.
Devanand was the centre-back in the Kerala team that defeated strong favourites Railways 3-2 in the final of the Santosh Trophy at the Maharaja's College Stadium on the evening of December 27, 1973.
Devanand began his playing career with the Kannur-based Brothers Club and also represented Calicut University. He later went on to play for Bombay Tatas and was later employed by the Tatas at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.
The stopper-back played for Kerala in five Santosh Trophies before playing for Maharashtra. He also represented the Indian national football team before retiring in 1982.
Devanand had his left leg amputated recently after suffering from limb ischemia.
