By Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh
On May 20, 2025, football lovers of Shillong alongside the football players bade farewell to Fullmoon Pyrtuh, the footballing legend that the State has produced. The passing away of such a towering figure has created a void in the football circles, but the inevitability of death is something that we mortal beings could never escape. However, the memories of achievers will linger in our minds and their contributions will be remembered by the generations to come.
Shillong Football Scene: The seeds of football culture, in Shillong in particular and State in general, had already been sown long before the State was born and Shillong lads have exhibited their footballing skills since the pre-independence period. Unlike in the past, footballers of the present generation are being provided with proper training facilities and access to quality exposures in terms of frequent matches outside the State and country. Besides, they are well placed and are better paid. In a way they have become sophisticated.
Part of Polo Ground, where the serene racecourse with lush greenery and plush surroundings by the Umkhrah River once existed, is now used for the Shillong Football League since the formation of the Shillong Sports Association in 1916. In the 1980s until the early 1990s, the galleries at the first ground in Polo, would be filled to the brim with passionate fans and supporters of local community clubs. A unique feature of Shillong football in the past was the development and passion of community clubs, known as “team Shnong” or “team Dong.” The Christian Athletic Club of Mission Compound and Laban Sports Club (1916) were among the first community-based football clubs to be formed. Wahingdoh Sports Club, established in 1946, had produced football gems like Shlur Nongbri and Fullmoon Pyrtuh.
It is interesting to note that 22 years after Shlur Nongbri showcased his footballing talent at the national stage in the Santosh Trophy in Ernakulam, in 1956, Fullmoon Pyrtuh did the same at the Subroto Mukherjee Cup in New Delhi in 1978. Along with his schoolmates, he brought home the cup by winning the final of the inter-state school championship. Hence, there was no stopping for Fullmoon Pyrtuh from rising and shining on football fields both within and outside the State.
Fullmoon: A Rising Star: In 1984, A. Lyngwa and D. Kharkongngor co-authored and published the book, The Football Stars of Shillong, and placed Fullmoon Pyrtuh in the galaxy of football stars, terming him as the Rising Star of football then. From the hamlet of Moodymmai in Jaintia Hills to Shillong, where he discovered his talent, Fullmoon had come a long way in developing his footballing skill and for this he owed a great deal to Father George, Bah Rishan Rapsang and coach Kabui for their support, encouragement and guidance.
Bobby Nongbet, Shillong’s eminent football coach, aptly described Fullmoon as the fiercest talent who would cause the defenders and goalkeeper of the opposing team to panic the moment he had the ball in control, especially from outside the box. Throughout his career, Fullmoon had earned many feathers to his cap. From winning the Subroto Mukherjee Cup, representing St Anthony’s School in 1978, to the most memorable moment in his footballing career when he scored the winning goal for India against Singapore in the 13th Asian School games. During the 13th Asian School International Tournament held in New Delhi in 1984, Fullmoon was the star striker for India and it was reported by the Statesman, “Fullmoon was the only Indian who made many attempts which included a good run into the box and a powerful kick…” Whereas, the Sports Week, October 24-30, 1984, had this to say about him, “For goals, the reliance was chiefly on Fullmoon and this forward from Meghalaya proved his worth. He was the main scorer for the team and fared creditably. He had some notable performances to his credit a few years ago in the Subroto Cup…Fullmoon has certainly gained experience and his progress needs watching” (A. Lyngwa and D. Kharkongngor, The Football Stars of Shillong).
In the autumn of 1986, during the prestigious Bordoloi Trophy held in Guwahati, it was indeed a challenging day for Shillong XI. The match between Shillong XI and Nagaland Police turned out to be a memorable yet difficult encounter for the team. Despite the setback, football enthusiasts witnessed a display of extraordinary talent and skill, especially from Fullmoon Pyrtuh.
Fullmoon Pyrtuh’s performances on the field were nothing short of mesmerizing; he exhibited remarkable dribbling, precise passing and powerful shots that left spectators in awe. His agility, vision and technical prowess laid bare the raw talent that he possessed, making him the standout player of the match. Although Shillong XI faced an unfortunate defeat, Pyrtuh’s brilliance became a highlight that football lovers would forever cherish and remember. (Dongmusa 26 September 1986).
Vision of a Humble Footballer: Fullmoon Pyrtuh was not just a household name in football in the State, but he also served as a point of reference in deliberations aimed at improving the standards of football in Meghalaya. On 28 December 1984, Dongmusa published a very compelling op-ed advocating for the enhancement of football in Shillong and Meghalaya, with Fullmoon’s achievements being a central talking point. The op-ed lamented the deterioration of football standards in Shillong and the State as a whole. It was argued that the Meghalaya Invitation Football Tournament, launched in 1976 with the aim of promoting local football talents, had made little progress.
Undoubtedly, Fullmoon had emerged as a star following his stunning performance during the Subroto Tournament in 1978, but there were many hidden talents and potential footballers in the State that needed to be discovered and nurtured. It was emphasized that numerous talented footballers like Fullmoon could bring laurels to the State and the community.
Improvising the football standards in the State was what Fullmoon Pyrtuh had dreamt of. In his tribute to the football legend Maycostar Marbaniang, who also played in the Subroto Mukherjee Cup representing Mawkhar Christian High School, Shillong in 1985, expressed his utmost respect and acknowledged him as a mentor. He also narrated that Fullmoon Pyrtuh was gravely concerned at the deteriorating standards of football in Shillong. Dreaming of improving football, Fullmoon and other former players and teammates founded the Meghalaya Football Players Association with the aim of raising the standard of footballers in the Capital City and State.
Fullmoon’s humility as a person was another remarkable characteristic and this was confirmed even by players from outside the state who had the opportunity to play alongside and against his team. Lalhminga Darlong, a schoolmate and member of the Subroto Mukherjee Cup winning team, remembered him as a true gentleman. Another former Wahingdoh Sports Club teammate, Laltanpuia Bawitlung, shared his experiences with Fullmoon and said that, “beyond his skills on the field, his humility, kindness and gentle spirit touched the hearts of many”. Additionally, players from Mizoram who knew Fullmoon remembered his greatness not only as a star midfielder but also as a human being off the football field.
At the end of the day, the Rising star had faded in time and in the words of Edson Arentes Do Nascimento, the world renowned footballer popularly known as Pele, “This is not our life. Everything here is a game, a passing thing. What matters is what I have done and what I will leave behind. Let it be an example for those that come. There are many people with the will to fight. Life is not just this and truth is farther beyond.”