CV Pappachan (Kerala XI): Having played for Kerala Police all his life, Pappachan travelled with the team throughout the country. This former India player still remembers the time when he last played in Mumbai in the 1986. His best memories however are restricted to the Rovers Cup matches that were held at the Cooperage.

“The tournament gave us opportunity to play against teams like Mohun Bagan, Mahindra United and Air-India,” he points out. As he is back in the city after almost two decades he says, “I’ve met most of my Central Bank friends and I’m also looking forward to meeting my pals from Mahindra United (Santosh Kashyap) and Air-India.

Now a DySP in Thrissur, Pappachan says he has to fulfil the needs of his family members. “I’ve got a small list of items from home to shop from Mumbai”. He goes back in time and recollects the days he used to spend at fashion street. “We are playing our quarter-final match tomorrow and so I’ve some time to stop and shop today,” he says with a smile.

Lawrence Gomes (Goa XI): The former international had made a trip to Mumbai in 2006 to play in the same tournament. However, after going down to Central Railway 4-3 via the tie breaker in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, the team was quite upset. Though they gave the tournament a miss last year, Gomes is quick to admit that they love coming to the metropolis and playing a few matches.

Being a regular player in Salgaocar team Gomes admits: “Rovers Cup is the tournament that I relate to in Mumbai. We had won the tourney and therefore this place comes next in importance to me after Goa.” He also adds, “We thought we would play the final and hence our return tickets were booked for Sunday evening. But looking at today’s result, I won’t be surprised if some of us leave tonight itself.”

Brahmanand Shankwalkar (Goa XI): This former international goalkeeper tasted success in Rovers Cup in the year 1994 and says, “The victory came towards the end of my career in Mumbai and so the place holds a special place in my memory.” He also rates his performance against Mohun Bagan at the Cooperage ground as one of his best outings during the same time.