He is Ayan Dasgupta. The 38-year-old man from South Kolkata and presently an employee of TCS in Peterborough, England had a passion for football since childhood. He learned the basics of the game at renowned Avenue Sammilani. Then after a brief playing career, Dasgupta acquired a D-license coaching degree under Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar, the former India international and coaches' instructor in 2015. Then he qualified in the Premier League Coach Educator course in 2016 along with Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar and Madhusudan Majumder. 

Even, after entering professional life, Ayan's passion for the game was there and after settling in England in 2017 end, he underwent an advanced coaching course, acquiring a UEFA C-license coaching degree under the mentorship of Chloe Brown, the former coach of Peterborough United's women's team. Ayan also was the coach of Peterborough United Academy. 

Ayan obtained the opportunity to join the coaches’ team of Netherton United Football Club’s youth and grass route development program with the girls. Netherton United is the sister club of Manchester City and having guided the junior girl's team for the last six years Ayan is presently among the coaches who are looking after the Netherton United's women's team. 

Speaking over the phone from Peterborough Ayan revealed, "Netherton United girls' team takes part in the Cambridgeshire county league. I felt proud after my grass-route team won the county in their age group. Simultaneously, I feel proud to say that three under-15 girls from Peterborough United Academy also were called up in the England under-15 girls' preparatory camp." 

But, Ayan who witnessed two World Cup finals in Russia in 2018 and in 2022 Qatar still cannot forget the moments with legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. He remembered, “That was 2014. I came to Peterborough on an office assignment. Ferguson's son Darren Ferguson was the coach of Peterborough United's men's team. Sir Alex used to visit there once a week, watching the team's training. On that one particular day, I went to Peterborough railway station to buy tickets and he was just in front of me in the queue, also buying tickets. I was simply mesmerized. I went close, offered a smile and he talked to me for some moments. Today, being a coach I realize how much humble he was and I learned that unless you become humble, you cannot excel."

Interestingly, Ayan and his four other football-passionate friends have also introduced a sports pub named ‘Five Mad Men’ in Kolkata. The people can get food and drinks. But the additional attraction is a huge giant screen, installed in the pub. the people can watch any sports events, especially the football events live while sitting and having food and drinks. 

Commenting on his plans, Ayan added, "My Desire is to ultimately move into professional coaching at some point of time. And also be able to use my experience in grassroots and elite football in the UK and help contribute something for the betterment of Indian football. I believe what we lack is proper planning and desire to set up a grassroots and elite infrastructure which would be at par with other good football countries.”