1945–46 Santosh Trophy
The 1945–46 Santosh Trophy was the third edition of the Santosh Trophy, the main State competition for football in India. It was held in Bombay. Bengal defeated Bombay 2–0 in the final.
Fred Pugsley, an Anglo-Burmese footballer who had moved to India temporarily during the war, scored seven goals in Bengal's win over Rajputana. This is a record in Santosh Trophy that was later equalled by Inder Singh in 1974-75 Jalandhar nationals.
Western India Football Association renamed itself as Bombay just before the tournament.
Matches
Bombay led 2–0 at half time----
Bengal led by five goals at half-time. The tournament schedule was adjusted because Bengal arrived a day late.
----
Moin of Hyderabad was sent off 13 minutes from the end.
----
Semifinal
Bombay led 2–0 at half time.Final
Bengal scored their goals in the 5th minute of both halves. Das scored from a cross by Pugsley. Nandy was assisted by S. Ghosh in the second goal. The trophy was presented by Justice Kama.Squads
- Bengal : Ismail; S Das and Taj Mohammad; D. Chandra, T. Aao and Mahabir Prasad; Rabi Das, Apparao, Pugsley, S. Ghosh and S. Nandy. Also : D. Sen, P. Chakroborty, D. Paul, A. Dey, Alauddin, A. Mozumdar.
- Bombay : Sanjiva; D.M. Mandon and Papen; Arnold, Robinson and Govind; Vandockum, Tipple, Cocklin, McCall and Dhakuram Also : Shetty
- Delhi : Osman; S.M. Bhukari and Rahmat; Bashir, Afzal and S. A. Hashmi; Yusuf, Roshan Ali, Buland Akhtar, Atma Ram and M.P. Khan. Also : Mahmud, Hasan, Habib, Rabbani, M. Faiyaz
- Dacca : G. Burton; D. Dutta and Shaheb Ali; H. Mitra, S. Guha and R. Sen; S. Bose, A. Roy, P. Mukerjee, A. Rachia and A. Das Also : B. Bose, R. Talukdar, C. Bose, Bailey, S. Sen.
- Hyderabad : Eeriah; Sher Khan and Fruvall; Hadi, Jamal and Noor; S Susay, A Susay, Shamsher, Azeem and Mahmood. Also Moin
- N.W.I.F.A : Yacoob; Ibrar Hussain Bali and Saeed; Yoya Jan, Ghulam Muhammad and Arshad; Akbarjan, Gilbert, Rahim, Ataullah and Amjad
- Mysore : Bama; Palladi and Jayram; Baseer, S. Mohiuddin and Sumugan; Borolingam, Karim, Nanjunda, Ahmed and Raman; Also : Shanmugam
- United Provinces : Arthur; Kazim and Rajaram; Wajihul, Aziz and Mahabir; Kullu, Abid, Furhat, Mahmud and Qader
- Madras : S. Moni; Rammohan Rao and K. Mani; A. D. Parthasarathy, Jaganathan and Murugesan; Arnikandasami, Ganesan, Vishwesara Rao, Hanumantha Rao and Thangaraj
- Indian XI : Osman ; Taj Mohammad, and Papen ; Shanmugham, T. Ao and Mahabir Prasad ; S. Nandy, Apparao, Rabi Das, Raman and Dhakuram
- Europeans : Lambert, Hamilton and Tipple and Arnold, Robinson and Airog ; Shanks, Gallacher, Cocklin, McCall and Sutton