Jo Paul Ancheri Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Other name	Jopaul Anchery [1]Jopaul Anchery - Facebook Page
Profession	Former Footballer, Football Commentator
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 172 cm in meters- 1.72 m in feet & inches- 5’ 8”
Weight (approx.)	in kilograms- 75 kg in pounds- 165 lbs
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Football
Debut	Club Football: 1992 International Football: 14 September 1994 against Bangladesh
Retirement	International Football: 2004 Club Football: 2005
Domestic/State Team	• State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT) • Mohun Bagan • JCT Football Club • FC Kochin • East Bengal
Awards	• 1994: All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year • 2001: All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year
Personal Life
Date of Birth	2 August 1976 (Monday)
Age (as of 2024)	48 Years
Birthplace	Thrissur, Kerala, India
Zodiac sign	Leo
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Thrissur, Kerala, India
College/University	Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, Kerala
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Date	28 December 2008
Family
Wife	Mithu Jopaul
Children	Son- Benhur Jopaul Anchery Daughter- Christina Jopaul
Parents	Father- Not known Mother- Not known

Some Lesser Known Facts About Jo Paul Ancheri

• Jo Paul Ancheri used to play professional football in India, but now he works as a commentator for Star Sports Malayalam. He was a versatile player and played in many different positions, like midfielder, defensive midfielder, defender, and striker. He captained the Indian national football team. In the 1993-1994 season, when he joined Mohun Bagan, a famous club in Kolkata, he played amazingly well and became popular among football fans across the country. Just like his fellow Keralite I. M. Vijayan, Jo Paul was selected to play for the Indian national football team after consistently performing well in the domestic league.

• From a young age, he was an ardent football fan; he participated in matches and training camps as a kid. In an interview, he remembered how those training camps allowed him to pursue a professional football career.

• On 28 December 2008, Jo Paul got married to Mithu Jopaul at the Marta Mariam Big Church in Thrissur. By that time, he had already retired as a professional footballer and was working in Kolkata as the chief coach of the Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy.

• In 1992, he managed to secure his first professional contract with the State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT). Some reports suggested that the efforts and discipline he displayed during various training camps and trials were the reason behind SBT’s keen interest in him.

• They formed a perfect connection, as Jo Paul consistently showcased impressive performances that lived up to the high expectations placed on him. After completing his first professional season with the State Bank of Travancore Club, he decided to part ways with them when the 1992-1993 season came to an end.

• Jo Paul’s impressive debut season at the State Bank of Travancore Football Club did not go unnoticed in the football world; multiple clubs came forward with offers to sign the player. After engaging in lengthy discussions, he ended the speculation by revealing his decision to join Mohun Bagan, a team based in Kolkata. The prospect of playing alongside I. M. Vijayan, who hailed from Thrissur, Kerala, like himself, filled him with excitement. The news of his transfer to the renowned Kolkata team, Mohun Bagan, created a buzz and grabbed headlines.
  

  Jo Paul Ancheri (right) with Bhaichung Bhutia and I. M. Vijayan (left)

• His first season with the Kolkata team was unforgettable, marked by a goal in his debut match. Despite being a newcomer, he swiftly established himself as a crucial player for the team. Through enrapturing displays, he became a beloved player among supporters. Jo Paul’s debut season with Bagan turned out to be historic as they triumphed in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup, Durand Cup, and the Federation Cup. Later, in the final of the Sikkim Gold Cup, he scored a remarkable hat trick, leading his team to victory after being two goals behind.

• His first stint at Mohun Bagan lasted only one season, as the footballer departed the following year. It was during the 1993-1994 season that he received his first call-up to represent the Indian national team and solidified his position as one of the country’s finest players.

• His exceptional performance throughout the season with Mohun Bagan caught the attention of the Indian national football team’s scouts. Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned in an interview that his early success with Mohun Bagan played a significant role in earning him opportunities to represent the national team in 1994. Jo played for the Indian national football team between 1994 and 2004.

• Jo Paul marked his international debut on 14 September 1994 against Bangladesh, and he quickly made an impact by scoring his maiden international goal.

• After completing his initial season with Mohun Bagan, he made a move to join JCT Football Club. He became a member of the Punjab-based club in 1994 and remained with them until 1997. His time at the club was incredibly successful, as they achieved remarkable victories, including the Scissors Cup title in 1995 and the Federation Cup in 1996. Notably, JCT emerged as the champions of the inaugural NFL (National Football League) in the 1996-97 season.
  

  A photograph of Jo Paul Ancheri during his time as a professional footballer

• In 1995, the footballer was part of the Indian football team, which faced Sri Lanka in the SAFF Cup final. India finished as runners-up, with Sri Lanka scoring the winning goal in the 108th minute after the normal time ended goalless.

• Continuing their victorious run, JCT lifted the IFA Shield title in 1996. Following three fruitful seasons with the club, Jo Paul decided to seek a fresh challenge. In 1997, he bid farewell to JCT Mills FC (now known as Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Football Club) and made his way back to Kerala to join FC Kochin.
  

  Jo Paul posing for a photo with his JCT FC teammates

• After parting ways with JCT Football Club, Jo Paul joined the newly established FC Kochin. FC Kochin, which participated in the National Football League, was a professional football club. Joining him in this new venture was his longtime teammate and rival, I. M. Vijayan.

• In the 1997-1998 season, FC Kochin achieved great success by winning the Durand Cup, defeating Mohun Bagan 3-1 in the finals. Jo Paul led the team as captain in the final against his former club, delivering an outstanding performance that overshadowed Mohun Bagan.

• In 1998, Ancheri was named to the Indian football team for the Asian Games; however, they were eliminated in the second round of the tournament.
  

  Jo Paul Ancheri (left) with Christian Karembeu and Alvito D’Cunha (right)

• He represented the Indian national football team in various prestigious tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the SAFF Championship, and the South Asian Games. Notably, he was a member of the Indian team that secured victory in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in 1997 and 1999.

• In their debut season, FC Kochin also reached the finals of the Scissors Cup in Kerala, where they faced off against the Bahraini team West Riffa Club. However, due to a power cut during the match, the winners were determined by a coin toss, and West Riffa Club was declared the victor. At the end of the season, Jo Paul decided to leave FC Kochin and announced his return to Mohun Bagan for his second stint with the Kolkata-based club.

• He was part of the Mohun Bagan squad for the 1998-1999 season. At the end of the season, Jo announced that he was not extending his contract with Bagan.

• The footballer made a comeback to FC Kochin for the 1999-2000 season and remained with the club for both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons.

• Jo Paul departed FC Kochin and made a surprising move to become a player for the East Bengal Club in 2001. It was the first time that Kolkata’s audience would witness him donning the colours of their arch-rivals, having previously played for Mohun Bagan.

• In 2001, Jo Paul won the LG Cup with India (Under-23) against the host nation Vietnam.

• In an interview, he shared his thoughts on Kolkata fans, highlighting their tendency to either support or criticize players based on their performances. His first and only stint with East Bengal was during the 2001-2002 season. Eventually, after the season concluded, he decided to join the JCT Football Club.

• In 2002, Ancheri returned to the Punjab-based club after five years. The footballer was part of the club for the next two seasons. Later, he revealed that he would leave the club at the end of the 2003-2004 season.

• During the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2002, Jo Paul made significant contributions to the Indian national team. He scored two goals against Yemen, which played a crucial role in securing a draw as the match ended in a 3-3 tie.

• Additionally, he scored the lone goal in India’s victory over Brunei on 11 May 2001, earning three valuable points in the World Cup qualifiers. Furthermore, Jo Paul displayed his scoring prowess again in India’s resounding 5-0 triumph over Brunei on 20 May 2001, where he found the back of the net.

• Later, when Jo Paul got injured and was not selected for the Indian national football team, he began working as a Lower Division Clerk in the Ministry of Health of the Kerala State Government. In an interview, he revealed that he found it difficult to accept his situation, considering all the contributions he had made to his country.

• Paul was named to the Indian team for the 2003 Afro-Asian Games in 2003; they ended up as the runners-up.
  

  A photograph of Jo Paul Ancheri with the Indian national football teammates

• One year later, in 2004, he made his final appearance for the Indian national team. The footballer’s international career was abruptly halted due to an ankle injury, which compelled him to prematurely retire from international football.

• In 2004, Jo Paul returned to Mohun Bagan ahead of the 2004-2005 season. At the end of the season, the player announced his retirement as a professional football player.

• Later, Jo Paul ventured into football commentary following his decision to retire from professional football. He gained fame for his role as a Malayalam commentator and pundit, notably working with Star Sports Malayalam. In recognition of his expertise, he joined the Regional Experts Panel by ViaCom18 for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

• He has a close relationship with former footballer I. M. Vijayan, with whom he has shared the field at multiple clubs such as Mohun Bagan, JCT Football Club, FC Kochin, and East Bengal. Additionally, they were teammates in the Indian national football team from 1994 to 2003. The special bond between Jo Paul and I. M. Vijayan has resulted in some of the most memorable moments in Indian football, both on international and domestic levels. Later, he was cast in the Malayalam drama ‘Aanaparambile World Cup’ directed by Nikhil Premraj along with I. M. Vijayan.

• Jo Paul was named to a special observation panel for the Novus Soccer Academy, which is led by former Indian captain U Sharaf Ali. Notable former Indian players like I. M. Vijayan also hold administrative positions in this ambitious project. They aim to establish a professional football club under the academy by 2028.
  

  A photograph of Jo Paul Ancheri with youth team players

• In 2019, when Stephen Constantine left his position as the head coach of the Indian national football team, Jo Paul recommended that the All India Football Federation hire an experienced foreign manager who could elevate the Indian team’s performance. Following Constantine’s departure, Igor Štimac, a former Croatian footballer who was part of the Croatian national team that achieved third place in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, took over as the head coach of the Indian national football team. Before this role, Štimac also served as the manager of the Croatian national football team from 2012 to 2013.

• Jo Paul occasionally drinks alcohol.
  

  Jo (right most) holding a bottle of beer

• Jo has worked in a District Medical Office in Kerala.