DHARAM "DEES" MOHAN – SOCCER STAR OF NOTE IN THE 1960s and 1970s

 

                                                          (Photo courtesy Vincent Pillay)

Researching through my files I came across an article that I had written about legendary soccer star, Dharam Mohan, in March 1973.

I had just started work as a full-time reporter for the Daily News situated at that time in the former Field Street (now Joe Slovo Street) in Central Durban and covering anti-apartheid sport, political, social, educational and economical developments was my passion.

The story about Dharam Mohan was not something to be proud of but it caught my attention because he was one of the greatest soccer stars who graced our soccer fields both in the amateur and professional ranks. He was popularly known as “Dees” by his team mates and fans.

Before I go into the story that affected Dharam Mohan’s proud record, it would be appropriate to briefly recall his rich soccer history.

Born into a working-class family in Newcastle in June 1937, Dharam Mohan impressed his family members and teachers with his soccer skills while playing in the dusty fields of the mining town. At the age of 16 he became a regular player at the Newcastle Stella Football Club.

Every opposition defender fell to the left and right as he swerved his way to scoring some of his rocket-like goals. Goal-keepers feared his bombers from both his feet.

He instilled greater admiration about his skills when he participated in various famous tournaments such as the Sam China Cup, Gandhi Cup and inter-racial matches until the early 1960s.

(Dharam "Dees": Mohan  - extreme left front row seated - with Avalan Athletics team in 1961. Danny Naidoo (seated centre) was the manager/coach of the team) Photo: courtesy  Mrs Priscilla Govender, wife of the late secretary of Currie's Fountain, Moon Govender)

He continued to captivate both fellow players and fans when he joined the famous Avalon Athletics Football Club in the South African Soccer League in the early 1960s.

I witnessed some of his magical swerves and moves at Currie’s Fountain when he played against teams such as Aces United, Berea, Hearts, Moroka Swallows, Orlando Pirates, Cape Ramblers, Blackpool from Johannesburg, Maritzburg City and Lincoln City.

At this time, I worked as a free-lance reporter for the Sunday Tribune, Daily News, Mercury, and Post. His fellow stars included players of the calibre of Scara Wanda, Sugar Ray Xulu, Kenneth Gama, Reginald Gabashe, Talfran Nkabinde, Joey Chetty, Peter Moonsamy, Blondie Campbell, Hector Fynn, Denzil Easthorpe, Moses Strydom, Georgie Francis and Maniraj Singh.

His opponents in other SASL teams included players of the calibre of Sewnarain Lall, Strini Moodley, Links Padaychee, Bob Pillay, Excellent Mthembu and Goona Padaychee.

(Dharam Mohan in a SASL match in 1964. - Photo: courtesy Mrs Priscilla Govender, wife of the late secretary of Currie's Fountain, Moon Govender)

When the FPL was launched in July 1969, Dharam Mohan once again turned out for Avalon against teams such as Berea, Aces United, Verulam Suburbs, Maritzburg United, Maritzburg City, Lincoln City, Jake’s Automotive United, Real Taj, Tongaat Crusaders, Blue Bells United, Dynamos, Sundown, Lightbody Santos, Glenville, Cape Town Spurs, Swaraj, Leeds United, and Manning Rangers. In the early 1970s he also played for Berea in the FPL.

One of the players who regarded Dharam Mohan at this time in the FPL as his hero was Vincent Pillay who played for Verulam Suburbs at that time. Despite playing for different teams, Mohan and Pillay became firm friends.

“He was one of the super stars at that time and I had great regard for him,” Vincent Pillay said.

Dharam Mohan’s historical playing career was disrupted in 1977 when he was seriously injured while returning home to Durban from Johannesburg in his team’s bus.

At this time, he was settled in Chatsworth with his family. He was married to Vino Singh, the sister of  another Avalon Athletics stalwart, Maniraj Singh. After partially recovering from the bus accident injury, Dharam Mohan spent a great deal of time  coaching the youth.

This great soccer star sadly left this world in July 1995, a year after our political freedom, when he suffered a heart attack. He was 58-years-old when he passed on.

 

                                SUSPENSION IS LIFTED

The story that I wrote in March 1973 related to an unhappy incident when he clashed with referee, Joe Moses, at Currie’s Fountain in 1970 and was suspended for five years by the then Durban Indian Sports Grounds Association.

In 1973 his banning order was lifted by a special committee after he lodged an appeal.

The story was published under the headline: “Suspension is lifted” on March 30 1973.

The story read:

Dharam Mohan, former Avalon Athletic soccer star with the old South African Soccer League, who was suspended for five years in 1970 by the Durban Indian Sports Grounds Association for allegedly assaulting a referee, had his suspension lifted this week.

Mohan, found guilty of assaulting referee Joe Moses in the Currie’s Fountain dressing room, appealed three weeks ago to the Association for his suspension to be lifted.

Mohan sent in his appeal after Verulam Suburbs soccer star, Preston Julius, had his life suspension lifted by the South African Soccer Federation a month ago. Julius earned the life ban for playing in the inter-racial tournament in Durban last year (1972).

A special three-man committee meeting comprising Messrs. R Bijou(chairman), Abdullah Khan and Harry Sookoo lifted the remainder of Mohan’s three-year ban.

Mohan will now be free to join any professional club and will be allowed to enter Currie’s Fountain. – ends Daily News Reporter March 30 1973

(NB: This article on Dharam Mohan was made possible through the assistance for former Post Editor, R. Brijlall, and former professional soccer star, Vincent Pillay).