The country’s best ever central back, Monem Munna, popularly known as King-Back, who was equally popular in Bangladesh and West Bengal, was remembered on his 19th death anniversary on Monday.

Bangladesh’s ever-best defender and star footballer, Monem Munna, who was born in the port city of Narayanganj in 1966, passed away on February 12, 2005, at the age of only 38 due to kidney diseases.

Apart from playing for the Bangladesh national team and in the leading local clubs, fan favourite Munna also played for Kolkata East Bengal for three seasons (1991–92, 1993–94, 995–96), to the complete satisfaction of West Bengal fans.

He guided Kolkata East Bengal Club to clinch three consecutive league titles.

Munna’s former club, East Bengal Club, remembered him on his death anniversary and gave a status on their Facebook page (Mone Munna) on Monday, saying, “Remembering our former defender Mohammad Monem Munna on his 19th death anniversary.”

“Fondly called ‘King-back’, the former Bangladesh captain represented us in three stints (1991–92, 1993–94, and 1995–96) and was an absolute fan favourite!”

Bangladeshi winger Sanjida Akhter, now playing for the Kolkata East Bengal in the Indian Women’s League, was also given an emotional status on Munna’s death anniversary on her Facebook page from Kolkata.

Munna, who started his football career in the Pioneer Football League, played for Shantinagar Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Brothers Union Club, and mostly for Dhaka Abahani Ltd.

Bangladesh won their first ever international football trophy—the four-nation football tournament in Myanmar—in 1995 under Munna’s leadership.

His club, Dhaka Abahani Limited, and a large number of football fans remembered him on his death anniversary.