16 Facts About Balai Dey

Balai Dey is an Indian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Balai Dey is one of the few footballers who represented the two nations, India and Pakistan, in international football.

In July 2022, Dey was conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by Mohun Bagan.

Balai Dey was born on 11 October 1946 in Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bengal Presidency, during the ending stage of British rule in India.

Balai Dey lived and studied in Khulna as he entered in Satyanarayana School and later studied at St Joseph's High School till 1964.

Balai Dey began his club football career in East Pakistan with then renowned club Khulna Heroes of Khulna First Division League in 1961 after gaining success in playing for local Khulna-based sides.

Balai Dey got an invitation to play for Railway FC.

Balai Dey later became an Indian citizen but got less opportunities and appeared in only a few matches from 1965 until 1967.

Balai Dey helped the "green and maroons" winning major titles including Rovers Cup in 1968,1970 and 1971, and IFA Shield in 1969.

Balai Dey moved back to East Bengal in 1972 and played consecutively until 1974.

Balai Dey competed in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia and the Singapore Friendship Tournament, when Jarnail Singh was the national team head coach.

Balai Dey's twin brother Kanai Balai Dey was a football goalkeeper who played in Khulna First Division League.

Balai Dey got the opportunity to play for the Pakistan national team during a tour of the Soviet Union in 1965, but due to family constraints, he moved to Calcutta, India on January 3,1965, and settled in Liluah, Howrah.

Balai Dey was admitted to Jagannath College in Dhaka for IA and later to Surendranath College of the University of Calcutta, and did not go far to play.

Balai Dey then earned a job at State Bank of India and later retired in 2006.

Balai Dey worked as coach of Liluah Suryanagar Maitri Sangha club.