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Air India (football club)
Encyclopedia
Air India FC, is an Indian
professional football club
founded in 1952, based in Mumbai
, Maharashtra
. They are sponsored by Air India
under the management of T.K. Singh and have enjoyed some success in the Maharashtrian Football and the NFL India. They play in the I-League
and Mumbai Super Division. Former India International and AFC A license coach Santosh Kashyap
is head coach of the team.
Recently, Air India has seen a much better outcome in their game play and they have bagged a good amount of trophies under their belt with two recent trophies - Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and Nadkarni Cup. They used to play in NFL 2nd Division
but got promoted to Premier Division
and have maintained their position there till now.
Founded in 1952, Air India Football Club is one of the oldest institutional sides in the country. Though never considered as frontrunners in the I-League, the Mumbai based club has often proved to be a thorn in the flesh for many top sides.
In the inaugural I-League
season, Air India caused the biggest upset when their 3-1 win over Mohun Bagan in Goa and threw the mighty Kolkata club out of the competition in the qualifying rounds. In the later years, Air India managed to maintain their giant killing image by regularly defeating stronger teams in the I-League and other competitions.
Generally a low budget side, Air India’s best finish in the National Football League (now I-League) came in the 1997-1998 season when they were placed sixth in the table and their coach Bimal Ghosh received the Best coach award.
Four times champions in the local league in Mumbai, Air India are best known for nurturing youngsters into big time players. Many of these boys have played with distinction for bigger teams in the later years.
in 1995. In 1996 the club finished 6th in the League and then 5th in 1997.
After being relegated to the second division in 1998, Air India paved their way back into the first division the next year and played in the National Football League in 2000 as well. The years 2001 to 2004 saw Air India going through a tough phase as they were playing in the second division. In 2005 the team qualified to the National Football League first division and then 2007 saw Air India finishing 7th and were the Mumbai Harwood Champions in 2005.
(Note: Air India
are the owners of FC Air India). The first crest used by FC Air India looks like the current one but pink. The newest one which was unveiled in 2006 is the same as the old one but red.
which is currently going through a renovation and should be completed by December 2011.
which currently own a hub at Mumbai's
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
professional football club
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
founded in 1952, based in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. They are sponsored by Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
under the management of T.K. Singh and have enjoyed some success in the Maharashtrian Football and the NFL India. They play in the I-League
I-League
The I-League is an Indian football league for association football clubs. At the top of the Indian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation of two teams each year with the I-League 2nd Division...
and Mumbai Super Division. Former India International and AFC A license coach Santosh Kashyap
Santosh Kashyap
Santosh Kashyap is an AFC 'A' qualified football coach who is currently head coach of Air India FC in the I-League. During his professional career, he has represented India and is known for his dangerous free-kicks. Previously, he has been youth coach at Mahindra United before they closed...
is head coach of the team.
Recently, Air India has seen a much better outcome in their game play and they have bagged a good amount of trophies under their belt with two recent trophies - Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and Nadkarni Cup. They used to play in NFL 2nd Division
National Football League (India)
The National Football League was an association football league competition in India between 1996 and 2007 which was organised into three divisions. The league is now transformed into the I-League and continues with that name...
but got promoted to Premier Division
I-League
The I-League is an Indian football league for association football clubs. At the top of the Indian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation of two teams each year with the I-League 2nd Division...
and have maintained their position there till now.
Founded in 1952, Air India Football Club is one of the oldest institutional sides in the country. Though never considered as frontrunners in the I-League, the Mumbai based club has often proved to be a thorn in the flesh for many top sides.
In the inaugural I-League
I-League 2007-08
The I-League season 2007-08 kicked off on 24 November 2007 at the Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Goa. The first match of the season was played between the two Goan clubs Dempo and Salgaocar....
season, Air India caused the biggest upset when their 3-1 win over Mohun Bagan in Goa and threw the mighty Kolkata club out of the competition in the qualifying rounds. In the later years, Air India managed to maintain their giant killing image by regularly defeating stronger teams in the I-League and other competitions.
Generally a low budget side, Air India’s best finish in the National Football League (now I-League) came in the 1997-1998 season when they were placed sixth in the table and their coach Bimal Ghosh received the Best coach award.
Four times champions in the local league in Mumbai, Air India are best known for nurturing youngsters into big time players. Many of these boys have played with distinction for bigger teams in the later years.
History
Air India FC has been playing in the Premier Harwood League since 1980. The team though qualified for the National Football LeagueNational Football League (India)
The National Football League was an association football league competition in India between 1996 and 2007 which was organised into three divisions. The league is now transformed into the I-League and continues with that name...
in 1995. In 1996 the club finished 6th in the League and then 5th in 1997.
After being relegated to the second division in 1998, Air India paved their way back into the first division the next year and played in the National Football League in 2000 as well. The years 2001 to 2004 saw Air India going through a tough phase as they were playing in the second division. In 2005 the team qualified to the National Football League first division and then 2007 saw Air India finishing 7th and were the Mumbai Harwood Champions in 2005.
Crest
The Air India football crest is different from the one used by the airline company Air IndiaAir India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
(Note: Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
are the owners of FC Air India). The first crest used by FC Air India looks like the current one but pink. The newest one which was unveiled in 2006 is the same as the old one but red.
Colors
To keep up with there image of being a sponsor of aircraft company Air India the club decided to make the colors of the club red which is the color associated with the aircraft Air India.Stadium
Air India will play at the 12,000 seater Cooperage GroundCooperage Ground
The Cooperage Ground is a football stadium in Mumbai, India. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Mumbai F.C. and FC Air India. The stadium holds 12,000 people. The Western India Football Association also operates from the Cooperage Ground. The Mumbai...
which is currently going through a renovation and should be completed by December 2011.
Ownership
Sense the beginning FC Air India has been owned by airline company Air IndiaAir India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
which currently own a hub at Mumbai's
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
First-team Squad
As of October 24, 2011 http://the-aiff.com/pages/club/index.php?more=players&ClubDetail=40Team Management
As of August 2, 2011| Name | Position |
|---|---|
 Santosh KashyapSantosh Kashyap Santosh Kashyap is an AFC 'A' qualified football coach who is currently head coach of Air India FC in the I-League. During his professional career, he has represented India and is known for his dangerous free-kicks. Previously, he has been youth coach at Mahindra United before they closed... |
Head Coach |
| Yusuf Ansari |
Assistant Manager |
| Khambiton Singh |
Manager |
| Pinge Dilip |
Senior Manager |
| Sandeep Kurale |
Physio |