Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)

Mohammedan Sporting Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal, that competes in the I-League, the second tier of Indian football. Founded in 1891, it is one of the oldest and most popular football clubs in India, with a support base all over the country. The club also plays in the premier division of the Calcutta Football League (CFL). In 1934, Mohammedan was the first Indian club to win the CFL and they continued their run until the 1938 season. Before Independence, numerous triumphs against British teams earned the club huge support from all India. Mohammedan Sporting Club became the entity against British oppression and the support continued even after Independence. It also became the first Indian club to win the Durand Cup in 1940. After Independence, it became the first Indian club to win on foreign soil by lifting the Aga Khan Gold Cup in 1960.[2]

Mohammedan SC
Full nameMohammedan Sporting Club
Nickname(s)Black Panthers
Founded1891 (1891)
GroundMohammedan Sporting Ground,
Salt Lake Stadium
Capacity22,000
OwnerMohammedan Sporting Club Pvt. Ltd.
PresidentMd. Amiruddin
Head CoachJosé Hevia[1]
LeagueI-League
2019–20I-League 2nd Division, 1st (promoted)
WebsiteClub website

In the IFA-run Calcutta Football League, the club shares rivalries with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and these three Kolkata clubs are tagged as the "Big Three".

History

The beginning

The club was founded as "Jubilee Club" in 1887 under the leadership of Nawab Aminul Islam. Then this name was changed into "Crescent Club". Crescent club's name again changed into "Hamidia Club". Finally this "Hamidia Club" came to be known as "Mohamedan Sporting Club" in 1891.

Khan Sahib Syed Ahmed Rashid took a very keen interest in the social and sporting life of Bengal. He was unanimously elected and was a very successful Hony. Secretary of the Mohammadan Sporting Club, Calcutta from the year 1925 to 1932 when he resigned owing to pressure of his official duties. During his secretary ship, His Excellency the Governor, Sir John Stanely Jackson, accepted the patronage of the Mohammadan Sporting Club.

In 1930, during the Football boycott, Khan Sahib Syed Ahmed Rashid successfully organized the Monsoon League. His services were highly appreciated by the President, Major R.B. Langden, M.C, O.B.E, and the Council of the Cricket Board of Control, for the excellent help rendered to the Board at all times. Khan Sahib Rashid successfully conducted for two years (1930–31) the Calcutta Football League as its Hony. Secretary.

In March 1935 he was again unanimously elected as Hony. General Secretary, Mohammadan Sporting Club, Calcutta. In October 1935 he organized and took the well known Muhammadan Sporting Club Football Team on a successful tour to Rangoon, Mandalay, Maymo, Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Madras, Bangalore and Mysore.

A big public luncheon was given in his honour at the Great Eastern Hotel, presided over by the Honourable late Maharaja M.N. Roy of Santosh, when high tributes were paid by Sir Alfred Wetson, Honourable Khawaja Sir Nazimuddin and other leading men of Bengal for Khan Sahib's excellent services to sports and social activities in Bengal.

Khan Sahib Syed Ahmed Rashid was the first Muslim to be elected on all the important sporting Associations in Bengal. i.e. the Bengal Hockey Association, The India Football Association, The Football League, Calcutta, the Cricket Board of Control Bengal and Assam, The Indian School Cricket Committee, The Indian School Sports Association and The Bengal Gymkhana. Khan Sahib Syed Ahmed Rashid also represented Bengal on All India Hockey and Cricket Boards of Control in India.

Start of an era

Before the 1930s, Mohammedan's main success was in the Coochbehar Cup which they won in 1902, 1906 and 1909. In 1930, Mohammedan was allowed to stay in the Second Division despite finishing last, as EIR closed their club. During this time, C.A. Aziz acted promptly, concentrating on creating a strong team. The credit for turning them into a football power goes to Aziz, perhaps the first modern thinker in Indian football. Aziz, along with Aryan Club's Dukhiram Mazumdar, was one of the first native football officials who understood the importance of wearing boots. After an encouraging show in 1930, Aziz recruited Bagan rejects Kaleh Khan and Hafiz Rahid in 1931. Players from different parts of India were slowly brought in, often in the name of religion. Bit by bit, Aziz was building an unstoppable team.[3]

The Invincibles (1934–1942)

1940 league winning team

In 1933, Mohammedan qualified for the first division of Calcutta Football League for the first time in its history. Mohammedan had a truly cosmopolitan outfit, with players from different corners of India. Masum, Mahiuddin and Rahmat came from Bangalore, while Jumma Khan arrived from western borders. Under the captaincy of Khurshid Anwar, Mohammedan became the first native club to capture the CFL title in 1934, in their very first year in top division which was a rare feat. It was what Mohun Bagan had tried to win the distinguished "Calcutta League" for eighteen years and East Bengal additionally wanted for it for nine long years but they could not break the monopoly of British non-regimental groups. They became the first native club to win the CFL in 1934. They are also the only club date to have won the league title just after getting promoted to first division. From 1934 to 1938, Sporting won the league for five consecutive times – a record bettered by only East Bengal in the 1970s. Sporting continued their winning spree in the 1940s, winning the title in 1940 and 1941. Mohammedan missed out in 1939 because they had declined to play in CFL as a sign of protest against IFA – other teams like East Bengal and Kalighat also didn't participate. However, Mohun Bagan won the league in 1939.[4]

By 1935, the charismatic Abbas Mirza had taken over the captain's arm-band. He would lead Mohammedan to even greater heights. That year, Mohammedan would recruit an irreplaceable player from Delhi's Crescent Club – goalkeeper Osman Jan. According to the veteran Sailen Manna, Osman was the greatest ‘keeper he had ever seen. Standing at 5’6" Osman had a great leap and a powerful fist. He was almost unbeatable in one on one situations. Full-back Taj Mohammad was feared for his hard tackles; his partnership with Jumma Khan ensured Mohammedan had a water–tight defence in that era. Jumma Khan used to play for Sandemanians in Quetta before joining Mohammedan, and he was famous for his heading ability.

CFL League Table of MSC (1934–41)

Centre-half Noor Mohammad was an extremely industrious player with a strong tackle. He was complemented well by left-half Masum, who was the creative genius. In attack, the tro of Rahim, Rashid and Rahmat used to cause havoc in opponent defenses. Rehmat was the brain behind Mohammedan's attacking moves, while Rashid, with his brilliant left foot, was also good in the air. Left-out Bacchi Khan was notorious for his rough style of play. Rashid (16 goals) was the top scorer in Calcutta Football League in 1935, while Rahim (18 goals) achieved that feat in 1938 season.[3]

Their performances in Cup competitions were no less brilliant. In 1936, Sporting became the second Indian club to win IFA Shield.[5] In the final, they defeated Calcutta Club 2–1 with goals from Rashid (Jr.) and Rahim. That year they also became the first Indian club to do the League-Shield "double". In 1941, they became the first Indian club to win two Shield titles, when they beat KOCB in the final courtesy of goals from Rashid and Saboo. They also became the first Indian club to retain the Shield, when they saw off East Bengal's challenge in 1942 final with a goal from Noor Mohammad. Mohammedan Sporting created history in 1940 by becoming the first Indian club to win the Durand Cup' Under Masum's leadership, they defeated Royal Warwickshire 2–1 in the final. In same season they also captured the Rovers Cup by beating Bangalore Muslims 1–0, thus creating another unique record of holding both Durand and Rovers Cup in the same season, a domestic cup double.[3]

1943–1960

In 1956 MSC went on to win the "Rovers Cup" for the second time MSC beats MB 3–1 in the final. This Rovers Cup win paved the way again to get back those Golden Era. In 1957, MSC bagged the "Double" by winning both the League and IFA Shield. In the league, MSC defeated East Bengal by a point and defeated Railway Sports 3–0 in IFA Shield Final. They also became the first Indian side to win a trophy on foreign soil, the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Dhaka in 1960, beating Indonesia's Makassar 4–1 in the final.[6]

1961–2010

The next success came after exactly 10 years later. Mohammedan Sporting Club won the Calcutta League in 1967 without losing a single match. They were the unbeaten champion and registered their 10th league title. In 1971, MSC won the IFA Shield by defeating Tollygunge Agragami 2–0 in the final. MSC won that year's IFA Shield without conceding a goal. Mohammed Sher Khan was the honorary assistant secretary of the club during 1967–80.

In the 8th decade, the success came at the beginning. MSC won the Calcutta League in 1981 with a point clear from Mohun Bagan. MSC were the unbeaten champion in the 1981 league. This was the third time in the History of Mohammedan Sporting Club. In 1983 Mohammedan Sporting Club won the Federation Cup for the first time by defeating Mohun Bagan 2–0 and also in 1983 Mohammedan Won Peerless trophy in Calcutta by Beating Mohun Bagan 3–1 in the tie-breaker. In 1983 Mohammedan was runners up in the Rovers Cup by beating East Bengal 1–0 in Mumbai and became Runners up in the DCM trophy in Delhi. In the next year in 1984 MSC won the Federation Cup by defeating East Bengal 1–0.Also in the same year M.S.C. Won number of trophies including the consecutive Federation cup they won Nizam Gold Cup, Nagji trophy,Rovers Cup,Darjeeling Gold cup.

After a long Trophy drought 2013–14 season Mohammedan Sporting won two giant title in Indian football, Durand Cup and IFA Shield. In the final of IFA Shield 2014 they beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi FC of Bangladesh 5–4 in penalty shootout. They qualified to the 2013–14 I-League by being the runner-up in the 2013 I-League 2nd Division, but were again relegated to 2015 I-League 2nd Division, as they were placed last in the season.

2016–present

The club showed major signs of reformation in 2016, when Ghazal Uz Zafar, a Kolkata-based young businessman, took over as the General Secretary of the club. It was under his regime the club became runners-up in 2016 Calcutta Football League after 8 long years and also lifted the title in the 2016 All India Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup for the first time since 1980.

Stadiums

Historically, the club has used several stadiums at Kolkata, Howrah and Barasat, Kalyani including the Eden Gardens, which has been reserved for cricket since Salt Lake Stadium opened in 1984.

Salt Lake Stadium

The Salt Lake Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal. The stadium is the second largest non-auto racing stadium in the world and the largest in India. It is currently used for mainly football matches. The stadium was built in 1984, has got a capacity of 85,000 people. The stadium has three tiers. The stadium includes a unique running track, long jump track, electronic scoreboard, natural turf, floodlighting arrangement, air conditioned VIP rest room and Conference Hall along with Medical Room & Doping Control Room. Other features of the stadium are boxes for TV along with several platforms for TV cameras, press boxes, air conditioned player's changing rooms.

The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata

The Salt Lake Stadium hosts the home games of Mohammedan Sporting in I-League.

Mohammedan Sporting Club Ground

The Mohammedan Sporting Ground is another stadium in Kolkata, India. This stadium has natural grass turf. This stadium is associated with the club and is actually Mohammedan Sporting's home ground. The stadium lies on the Maidan (Kolkata) area on the northern side of Fort William and near to the Eden Gardens. This stadium is currently used mostly for football matches of Calcutta Football League, I-League 2nd Division, I-League U18 and AIFF U-16 Youth League. The stadium holds 15,000 people.

Barasat Stadium

Barasat Stadium is also a stadium used by Mohammedan Sporting, specially in case if the Salt Lake Stadium or Mohammedan Sporting Ground cannot be used for any reason.

This stadium has artificial turf and comes with proper floodlights to support night matches.

Players

Current squad

As of 1 January 2021[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF  IND Asheer Akhtar
3 DF  IND Manoj Mohammed
4 DF  NGA Kingsley Obumneme
5 DF  IND Gurtej Singh
6 MF  BAN Jamal Bhuyan
7 MF  IND Vanlalbiaa Chhangte
9 DF  IND Safiul Rahaman
11 MF  IND Faisal Ali
12 DF  IND Singam Subhash Singh
13 GK  IND Rafique Ali Sardar
14 DF  IND Arijit Bagui
15 DF  IND Balwinder Singh
16 MF  IND Shilton D'Silva
18 MF  IND Satyam Sharma
19 FW  IND Nikhil Kadam
20 DF  IND Hira Mondal
21 GK  IND Priyant Singh
22 MF  IND Gani Nigam
24 DF  IND Sujit Sadhu
23 DF  IND Arijeet Singh
25 MF  IND Tirthankar Sarkar
26 MF  IND Firoj Ali
No. Pos. Nation Player
27 DF  IND Nabi Hussain Khan
28 FW  IND Gourav Mukhi
30 FW  IND Shamsad Ali
32 MF  IND Avinabo Bag
34 MF  IND Biaklian Paite
36 FW  IND Suraj Rawat
37 FW  IND Pritam Sarkar
41 GK  IND Shubham Roy
46 FW  IND Subhash Singh
47 MF  IND SK Faiaz
50 MF  IND Moinuddin Khan
DF  IND Kenstar Kharshong
MF  IND Altamash Sayed
MF  IND Alwyn George
DF  IND Arashpreet Singh
FW  IND Alen Deory
MF  IND Sanjib Ghosh
FW  NGA John Chidi Uzodinma
FW  ESP Pedro Manzi
FW  IND Md. Fardin Ali Molla (On loan from ATK Mohun Bagan)

Staff

Support staff

Position Name
Technical Director Shankarlal Chakraborty
Head Coach José Hevia[1]
Assistant Coach Birendra Thapa
Goalkeeping Coach Sudip Sarkar
Physio

Bhaskar Saha

Media Officer Debabrata Majumder
Team Manager Belal Khan
Asst. Team Manager Md. Javed
Kitmen Omprakash Khatua

Sk. Sahid

Management

As of 2020
Position Name
Owner Mohammedan Sporting Club Pvt. Ltd.(50%)

Bunkerhills Pvt. Ltd. (50%)

Chairman
President MD. Amiruddin (Bobby)
Working President Jameel Manzar
General Secretary SK. Wasim Akram
Assistant General Secretary Dr.Taha Ahmed
Football Secretary Dipendu Biswas
Finance Secretary Sharique Ahmed
Ground Secretary Ghazal Uz Zafar
Football Committee Chairman
Youth Development Chairman Danish Iqbal
Youth Development Manager Niaz Alam

Previous seasons

As of 20 October 2020
Season Calcutta Football League I-League/I-League 2nd Division Federation Cup Durand Cup IFA Shield Notes
P W D L GD Pts Pos Div P W D L GD Pts Pos
2008-09 N.A. 1st 22 5 7 10 -14 22 11th N.A. N.A. Group Stage
2009-10 N.A. 2nd 7 2 4 1 0 10 4th Group Stage Didn't Participate Wasn't Held
2010-11 N.A. 2nd 7 1 1 5 -5 4 7th Play-off N.A. Group Stage
2011-12 N.A. 2nd 12 6 3 3 +4 21 3rd Group Stage Group Stage Didn't Participate
2013 8 3 1 4 +1 10 6th 2nd 10 5 3 2 +3 18 2nd Group Stage Didn't Participate Didn't Participate
2013-14 11 6 4 1 +15 22 3rd 1st 24 6 6 12 -8 24 13th Group Stage Winner Winner
2014-15 10 6 2 2 +5 20 4th 2nd 14 8 2 4 +12 23 4th Not Qualified Quarter-Final Format Changed
2015 10 3 5 2 +8 14 5th 2nd 10 4 3 3 +2 12 4th Defunct Didn't Happen Format Changed Group Stage:Sheikh Kamal Cup
2016 10 6 2 2 +6 20 2nd 2nd 6 3 1 2 +4 10 Winner: Sikkim Gold Cup
2017 9 5 2 2 +14 17 3rd 2nd 10 3 3 4 -1 12 4th
2018 11 6 1 4 +4 19 4th 2nd 10 5 1 4 +8 16 3rd in group

Champion:

  1. Bordoloi Trophy
  2. Bodoland Gold Cup

Runner-Up:

  1. Independence Day Cup
2019 11 5 4 2 +3 19 4th 2nd 4 3 1 0 +6 10 Winner Group Stage

Champion:

Sikkim Gold Cup
2020 1st 2020 Durand Cup Sikkim Gold Cup

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Year Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1891-2005 None None
2005–2007 Reebok Elegant Steel & Metal Works
2007–2008 Reliance Group
2008–2009 Eastern Minerals and Trading Agency
2009–2016 None None
2016–2019 Kaizen Sports Orion Impression
2019–2020 Rocky Sports None
2020–present Trak-Only Bunker Hill

Honours

International

Winners (1): 1960

Domestic

Winners (1): 2019–20
Runners-up (1): 2013
Winners (2): 1983, 1984
Runners-up (3): 1981, 1989, 2003
Winners (2): 1940, 2013
Runners-up (3): 1959, 1980, 1992
Winners (11): 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1957, 1967, 1981
Runners-up (9): 1942, 1944, 1949, 1960, 1971, 1992, 2002, 2008, 2016–17
Winners (6): 1936, 1941, 1942, 1957, 1971, 2014
Runners-up (4): 1938, 1963, 1982, 1990
Winners (6): 1940, 1956, 1959, 1980, 1984, 1987
Runners-up (8): 1941, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1991
Winners (4): 1971, 1984, 1991, 1992
  • Coochbehar Cup
Winners (5): 1902, 1906, 1909, 1947, 1952
Winners (6): 1969, 1970, 1985, 1986, 1991, 2018
Runners-up (5): 1965, 1966, 1971, 1977, 1983
Winners (4): 1958, 1961, 1964, 1980
Winners (3): 1986, 1996, 2010
  • Independence Day Cup[10]
Winners (5): 1969, 1971, 1972, 1988, 2007
Runners-up (1): 2018
Winners (3): 1980, 2016, 2019
  • Kalinga Cup
Winners (2): 1991, 2012
  • Nizam Cup
Winners (1): 1983

See also

References

  1. Majumber, Ajay (24 October 2020). "Jose Hevia Joins Mohammedan As Head Coach". mohammedansportingindia.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  2. "Aga Khan Gold Cup (Dhaka, Bangladesh)". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  3. "Legends of Indian Football : Mohammedan Sporting in 1930s". 27 May 2011.
  4. Sirkar, Sudipto (21 February 2012). "Mohammedan Sporting - The Football History".
  5. "Looking back at Mohammedan Sporting's historic Durand Cup triumph". 29 August 2015.
  6. qz.com, Novy Kapadia. "Mohammedan Sporting's glorious past is linked to its uncertain future".
  7. "Squad".
  8. Chaudhuri, Arunava. "List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Sait Nagjee Trophy". www.indianfootball.de.
  9. "India - D.C.M. Trophy". www.rsssf.com.
  10. Chaudhuri, Arunava. "List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Independence Day Cup". www.indianfootball.de.
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