Shillong, May 19:One of Meghalaya’s finest footballers, Fullmoon Pyrtuh, passed away on Sunday at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness.
He is survived by his wife, Monalisa Marbaniang, two sons, and a daughter.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 2 PM at the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church cemetery in Lawmali.
Fullmoon Pyrtuh rose to prominence as a member of the iconic St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School football team that won the U-17 boys’ Subroto Cup in 1978. A debutant at the time, he made an immediate impact.In 1983, he captained the Meghalaya State School team at the National School Championships organized by the School Games Federation of India.
His outstanding performance earned him a place in the selection trials for the Indian School Team that would go on to represent the country in the 13th Asian School Football Tournament. There, Pyrtuh was hailed as the tournament’s best linkman-cum-striker.
One of the highlights of his footballing career came during the same tournament when he scored the match-winning goal against Singapore—a moment he cherished throughout his life.
However, Pyrtuh also experienced heartbreak in his career. One of his biggest disappointments was not being selected in the starting eleven to represent Shillong in the 1979 Bordoloi Trophy.
He credited his achievements to the guidance of the late Fr. George, former headmaster of St. Anthony’s High School; Rishan Rapsang, the owner of the now-defunct Blue Max FC; and Mr. Kabui, his coach at St. Anthony’s.
Apart from playing for Blue Max FC, Pyrtuh also represented Wahingdoh Sports Club in the Shillong Football League First Division, and played for the Directorate of Soil Conservation in the Inter-Office League. He was a regular fixture in the Shillong XI, the Meghalaya State Senior Team, and the Meghalaya Civil Service Team.
A dynamic midfielder, Pyrtuh played alongside some of the state’s football greats, including Augustine Kharkongor, Tenzing Khyriem, L Darlong, Michael Wahlang, the late Ajay Thapa, and Atom Dey.
Unlike many of his peers, Pyrtuh chose not to purse a full time coaching role after retirement.
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from former teammates and footballing legends.
Augustine Kharkongor expressed his shock and sorrow, saying, “It’s a great loss for the state. Fullmoon was a close friend. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Though not part of the 1978 Subroto Cup-winning team, Kharkongor recalled joining Pyrtuh at St. Anthony’s in 1980.
He fondly remembered the two of them travelling together for Indian national football team trials in Kolkata and Mumbai during the mid-1980s, and playing together for the state team on numerous occasions.
Another legend, L Darlong, called Pyrtuh’s passing a major loss to the football fraternity.
“He was a true gentleman,” Darlong said, recalling their time together on the 1978 Subroto Cup-winning team.
“If I remember correctly, it was Fullmoon who scored the winning goal in the final. He was a tireless and committed players.” Though unable to attend the funeral due to travel, Darlong extended his deepest condolences and prayed for strength and peace for Pyrtuh’s family. Renowned goalkeeper Cliff Nongrum also shared his grief, describing Pyrtuh’s death as a personal loss. “We had a strong bond from playing together for many years,” he said. The state has lost of of its greatest footballers. My thought and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones”