Vinu Jose
Age: 29
Position : Defender
Team: Directorate of Health Services, Travancore FC
Native: Trivandrum
Vinu Jose, 28 years of age, is one of Kerala’s most experienced footballers of this era having played in 3 Santosh Trophies for Kerala and represented the country in many matches.
Vinu, born on 19th March, 1981, showed skills with the ball from the days when he was a student of St. Joseph’s High School, Thiruvananthapuram. Young Vinu was selected to the Tata Football Academy (TFA) where his skills were horned. He also represented the District and State sub junior teams at that time.
The defender was called for the Indian Under 16 National team camp in 1994 and made his International debut in 1996. Vinu traveled to Pakistan and Thailand with the Indian team for Asian U-16 Championship qualifiers. Vinu was also selected as the vice captain of his team at the U-17 Schools India Tournament at Patna, Bihar.
Vinu joined the Kerala club FC Cochin in 1998. FC Cochin formed in 1997, the first professional football club in India, was set to revolutionize club football in India. Vinu was acquired by the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) in 1999. He stayed at the club for 4 years and played in the National Football League (NFL). Vinu also played for India U-23 side while at SBT.
After 4 years at SBT, Vinu was signed by Vasco Sports Club, Goa were he played for the next 2 seasons. He then had spells with other Goan sides, Sporting Club de Goa and Churchill Brothers. He won the Goa governor’s Cup and finished as runners-up in the Durand Cup for Sporting.
The Kolkata giants East Bengal snatched Vinu from Churchill Brothers. He represented EB in the NFL, the AFC Cup and other major tournaments. Mohammedan Sporting Club got the signature of Vinu after 1 year at the Salt Lake.
3 times has Vinu represented Kerala in the National Football Championships for Santosh Trophy. His maiden Santosh Trophy was when a jubilant Kerala team were crowned the champions in 2001 at Mumbai. In 2003, Vinu played an important role to take Kerala into finals of the tournament but lost in the title decider. He was among the stars like IM Vijayan, KN Ajayan and Muttath Suresh who were called to the Kerala team in 2004. But the team gave up in the Semi finals of the tournament which was held at Cochin in their own soil.
The stopper back represented his country in several tournaments like the LG Cup 2002 at Ho Chi Minh City and World Cup qualifying matches. He was also with the team when they travelled to countries like Dubai, Kuwait and Singapore.
Vinu was forced to quit Mohammedans when the leave granted by his employer Directorate of Health Services (DHS) ran out during the middle of last season. He then played for the DHS team in the Trivandrum Divison B Football League.
Vinu then signed with the Kollam based Travancore FC, and is now the head coach of the ambitious football club.
Vinu who was born to Sakaria Perriera and Gracey Sakaria is now settled at Trivandrum with his family. He is married to Bernadette Ann Jose and is the father of a baby girl who is named Rachel Mary Jose. Vinu says that his brother has been his inspiration from his childhood. His brother, Vimal Jose, was a State Lavel Champion in 110 metre hurdles.
