Captain ManiKochi: Celebrated footballer T.K. Subramanian alias Captain Mani (77) who won the first Santosh Trophy for Kerala with his own hat-trick goals, passed away in Kochi on Thursday night.
Mani was under medical care at a private hospital for liver ailment for the past two weeks. He died at around 10.30 pm Thursday.
Mani hailed from Kannur but had settled down in Kochi where at the Maharaja's Grounds he created history with his three stunning goals that brought the Santosh Trophy to Kerala for the first time. He has since been known as Captain Mani.
The soccer hero, who used to work with the FACT, was living in Eloor after retirement but shifted to his son Arun's house Kalpana Rajmahal at Karukappali Road near Changampuzha Park in Edapally two years back. He had been ailing for two years. His wife Rajamma is no more. His other children are Jyoti, Geetha, Anand. Sons-in-law: Vinod, Nirmal. Daughter-in-law: Swapna.
Thalikkavu Subramanian Mani had his education at Parakkandi Elementary School and Kannur Municipal School. He played in school teams and then Kannur Lucky Star and Gymkhana clubs which took him to FACT. With his 1973 record win of Santosh Trophy, Mani became the darling of Kochi. He also served as assistant coach of the FACT football team for 31 years.
