During the start of the Second World War, erstwhile Burma, then a British colony, was attacked by Japanese forces and Pugsley needed to flee on foot. Along together with his spouse and daughter, he manoeuvred by the tough terrain, 500 km on foot, and reached Bengal by Manipur.

In a sequence of tweets, The Paperclip, a Twitter deal with defined how the person slayed his likelihood with the East Bengal soccer group. The Twitter deal with additionally shared what looks as if an outdated newspaper clipping that includes folks from Burma, now Myanmar, fleeing to India. The {photograph} exhibiting folks speeding in panic was captioned, “Ragoon under the shadow of the ‘Protectors of Asia’. Poor citizens flee as Jap’ planes approach the town.”

“Calcutta, June 1942. Some players and officials at the East Bengal football ground were shocked to see a thin man, looking almost destitute, walk into the tent. The man was a refugee from Rangoon. What happened next is a stuff of legends. A thread. 1/18,” learn the tweet.

Calcutta, June 1942. Some gamers and officers on the East Bengal soccer floor had been shocked to see a skinny man, wanting virtually destitute, stroll into the tent. The man was a refugee from Rangoon. What occurred subsequent is a stuff of legends. A thread. 1/18 pic.twitter.com/DPmsgrFPIh

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

More than two lakh folks reached India and Pugsley, who had a notable soccer profession in Rangoon, obtained recognised by East Bengal membership officers. However, after traversing kilometres, his well being situation was not beneficial and he vomited blood throughout a match.

This watershed occasion prompted an incredible exodus of Europeans, Anglo-Indians & Indians from Rangoon again to Indian territory. The British administration solely allowed Europeans to be repatriated again on ships and boats. 3/18

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

Astonishingly, greater than 2 lakh folks risked their lives and walked to India by foot whereas navigating the perilous terrain. The precise variety of refugees who perished whereas travelling might have been increased than the estimated 4,000. 5/18

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

After he entered the East Bengal floor, among the officers acknowledged him. 7/18

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

In the flip of occasions, Pugsley began working on the Burnpur metal plant and performed intermittently within the 1943 and 1944 seasons. Juggling between his job and soccer, Pugsley discovered it laborious to comply with his ardour. His indomitable will, nevertheless, helped him to take part within the Calcutta Football League season in 1945 and he surprised folks together with his efficiency.

His identify was Fred Pugsley and that is his unbelievable story. Having arrived in Calcutta together with his younger household, Pugsley went to the one place he knew, the East Bengal membership. Seeing his depressing situation, the officers determined to signal him. But they had been involved. 9/18

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

Doctors suggested to not subject him. Luckily presently, Pugsley secured a job at Burnpur metal plant & moved together with his younger household there. With a struggle raging, it was troublesome for him to get go away and he solely made sporadic appearances in ’43 & ’44 seasons. 11/18

— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) December 20, 2022

“In the season opener against EC Customs, he scored 3 goals in a 6-0 win. In the next Vs Rangers, Pugsley went one better as EB won 6-1. He remained prolific in that season ending as top scorer with 21 goals as EB defended their league title successfully. 13/18” tweeted The Paper Clip.

Pugsley showcased his finest with a solitary objective towards East Bengal’s arch-rival Mohun Bagan. The match had drawn scores of individuals as the 2 Calcutta giants confronted one another. Meanwhile, struggle was raging in Asia and the British crown was determined to recuperate Burma.

“In a tightly fought encounter at Mohun Bagan ground, East Bengal defeated their arch rival by a solitary goal netted by the thundering left foot of Pugsley. It was East Bengal’s first Calcutta League/IFA Shield double. 17/18” tweeted The Paper Clip.

The story of how a refugee made thundering influence in Indian soccer gained traction on-line. A person commented, “This is really incredible but truly inspiring story.” Another person wrote, “this real life story is more than a fiction.”