Gurdev Singh Gill (footballer)

Gurdev Singh Gill is a former Indian football player. He hails from Punjab. He was honoured with Arjuna Award, the highest sports award in India in the year 1978 for his achievements as a football player.

He is one of the three Punjabi football players to have received this prestigious award. He retired as a Commandant from Punjab Police in 2008. Settled now in Jalandhar and occasionally in Canada.

Club career

 * Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973
 * Punjab Police Football Club, Jalandhar : 1974 to 1990
 * East Bengal Football Club Calcutta : 1978

Early career

 * Played for Rajput High School, Village Binjon, District. Hoshiarpur.
 * Graduated from Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur.
 * Represented Indian Football team while studying at SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur.

Professional career

 * Played for Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973
 * Joined Punjab Police : 1974
 * Played for Punjab Police Football team : 1974 to 1990
 * Played for East Bengal Football Club, Calcutta : 1978
 * Coach Punjab Police Football team : 1990 to 2000
 * Coach Indian Police Football team at World police games, Nepal : 2001 (bronze medal)
 * Santosh Trophy : 1970 Punjab won it
 * Santosh Trophy held at Jalandhar : 1974 Punjab beat Bengal 6-0 in the finals (record still holds till today)
 * Retired as Superintendent of Police, Punjab Police : 2008

International career

 * Asia Cup : 1970
 * Asian Games Tehran, Iran : 1974
 * Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand : 1978 (Captain)
 * Agha Khan Gold Cup, Indonesia : 1977 (hattrick against Bangladesh)
 * Kings Cup, Seoul, South Korea (goal against South Korea, 45 yards)
 * Meddreka Soccer, D'jakarta : 1976
 * World Police Games, Nepal : 2001 (Coach) : bronze medal
 * Afghan Jashan Celebration tournament, Kabul : 1975
 * Pre-olympics in Rangoon, Burma : 1972
 * President Gold Cup, Singapore : 1976

Life outside football

 * He retired as a Commandant of Police from Punjab Police in 2008.
 * Served as Sports Secretary of Punjab Police from 2000–2004.
 * Coached Punjab Police Football team that won All India Police Games between 2000-2006.
 * Member Punjab Football Association Selection Committee.
 * Organises a big Football tournament at his village Kharar Achharwal, every year.

Honours

 * Recipient of Arjuna Award : 1978
 * Recipient of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award : 1984
 * Recipient of President Police Medal for Meritorious Service : 2000
 * Footballer of the Millennium by Delhi Sports Journalists' Association : 2000