Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool, there are innumerable European clubs that have made their mark all around the world. It might startle many when they are told about football clubs in India. However, like the European Clubs, Indian Clubs too have their own fan following, and several loyalists still cheer during the matches, only thing is the numbers are rapidly dwindling. Even the National Football League is trying to glamorize and revive the Game; however, due to lack of infrastructure to improve player fitness, tactics and techniques, football clubs, still continue to remain largely obscure.
1. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club:
Known As: Mariners
Hometown: Kolkata, West Bengal
Founded: 1889
Ground: Salt Lake Stadium (NFL home ground), Mohun Bagan Ground.
Coach: Biswajit Bhattacharya
League: NFL Premier Division, IFA-Calcutta Premier League.
The oldest Football club in Asia was founded in India, the Mohun Bagan AC, in 1889. Since its inception, the green and maroon club has earned the reputation of being one of the finest outfits in the country. In 1911, Mohun Bagan became the first Indian team to win a major tournament, when they clinched the IFA Shield by defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment. In those pre-independence days, the historic win over an English team sparked off widespread jubilation and has since become a part of Indian football folklore. In 1989, during the club`s centenary year, the Government of India issued a postage stamp to commemorate the 1911 victory of the team. The Government honoured Mohun Bagan with the title the "National Club of India" for the spurt in nationalism created by that famous win.
Honours:
3x National Football League
11x Federation Cup
21x IFA Shield
16x Durand Cup
26x Kolkata Super Division
2. Kingfisher East Bengal Club:
Known As: The Red and Gold Brigade
Hometown: Kolkata, West Bengal
Founded: 1920
Ground: Salt Lake Stadium (NFL home ground), East Bengal Ground
Coach: Carlos Roberto Pereira De Silva
League: NFL Premier Division, Calcutta Super Division
The East Bengal Club, established on August 1, 2006, stands tall among its peers by virtue of an enviable record both in India and abroad. Over the years, East Bengal`s classic battles with city-rivals Mohun Bagan have become a part of Indian football folklore. In 1942, East Bengal club secured its first league triumph, and the following year it won the IFA Shield. Since then, the red and gold brigade has only got better and has earned the reputation of being one of the most outstanding clubs in the country. The Club has made it a habit of rewriting record books. East Bengal was the first team to win the coveted National Football League in back-to-back years (2002-2003 & 2003-2004). In 2003, East Bengal became the first Indian club to win any Asian level football tournament when they demolished Thailand`s BEC Terro Sasana 3-1 in the final of the LG ASEAN Cup in Jakarta.
Honours:
2003 ASEAN Club Championship
3x National Football League
27x IFA Shield
16x Durand Cup
4x Federation Cup
30x Calcutta Super Division
3. Mahindra United:
Known As: Jeepmen
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded: 1962
Ground: The Cooperage Ground (NFL Home Ground)
Coach: Derek Perreira
League: NFL Premier Division
Mahindra United is sponsored and managed by automobile giants Mahindra Group. The club was founded in 1962 as Mahindra & Mahindra but was rechristened as Mahindra United in 2000. The club is fondly known as India`s Manchester United after English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United. The 2005-06 season proved to be a watershed for Mahindra as they became the first club in the history of Indian football to win the Federation Cup and NFL Premier Division double in the same season.
Honours:
2005/06 National Football League
2x Federation Cup
11x Mumbai Super Division
2x Durand Cup
4. Mohammedan Sporting Club:
Hometown: Kolkata, West Bengal
Founded: 1891
Ground: Mohammedan Sporting Ground, Salt Lake Stadium (NFL Home Ground)
Coach: Mohammed Habib
League: NFL Premier Division, Calcutta Super Division
Mohammedan Sporting Club is the second oldest football club in India after Mohun Bagan. Along with city giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting keeps the Kolkata flag flying in the national circuit.
Honours:
2x Federation Cup
5x IFA Shield
6x Rovers Cup
11x Calcutta Super Division
5. Salgaocar Sporting Club:
Hometown: Vasco, Goa
Founded: 1955
Ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda Stadium (NFL home ground)
Coach: Medeira Savio
League: NFL Premier Division, Goa Professional League
Salgaocar Sports Club is sponsored by V. M. Salgaocar Group of Companies and is one of the most successful Goan outfits in recent years. It became the first Goan side to win the NFL in 1998-99 under the guidance of coach Shabbir Ali.
Honours:
1998-99 National Football League
3x Federation Cup
3x Rovers Cup
2x Durand Cup
19x Goa League
6. JCT Mills Football Club:
Known As: Millmen
Hometown: Phagwara, Punjab
Founded: 1971
Ground: Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Ludhiana
Coach: Sukhwinder Singh
League: NFL Premier Division
JCT Mills has long been synonymous with football in Punjab and northern India. Like the other two institutional teams from the state, Border Security Force and Punjab Police, JCT have played a pivotal role in raising the standard of football in Punjab. JCT won the inaugural edition of the National Football League in 1996. The success of the outfit can be attributed to the fact that their owners, the Thapars, apart from being business moguls, are also keen followers of the game.
Honours:
1996-97 National League Title
2x Federation Cup
5x Durand Cup
8x Punjab Football League
