Mahindra United
Encyclopedia
Mahindra United Football Club (abbreviated as MUFC) was a professional football club based in Mumbai
, Maharashtra
, India
. Their home ground was the Cooperage Ground
in Mumbai. Mahindra United played in the 1st Division of the I-League
, the AFC
-affiliated top-tier football league in India before closing down at the end of 2009-10 season
.
The club was popularly referred as India's MU after English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United
. The club was one of the popular football clubs in the country and was known for its consistent good performance in the last four decades of its existence. The club had won many a major tournaments in India.
. The Club secured admission into Bombay's Harwood League in 1964. In the summer of 2000, the Club was renamed Mahindra United. The shirt colour was also changed from orange to red.
The team played its NFL
home matches at the Cooperage Ground
in Mumbai, but due to the bad state of the stadium, as of February 7, 2006, they had to play almost all of their NFL games away from Mumbai.
The club finished the inaugural season of the NFL Premier Division
at the bottom of the table, but were not relegated as there was no second tier in the league at the time.
Mahindra were crowned champions of the NFL Premier Division
for the first time in the club's history in the 2005-06 season with two games to spare. They followed it up by beating their arch-rivals, Air India for the first time in the season. They are also two-time winners of the Federation Cup, having won the title in 2003 and 2005.
The win in 2005 ensured that Mahindra became the first club in the history of Indian football to win the Federation Cup and National Football League double in the same season.
They did however lose the NFL Super Cup to East Bengal
by a margin of 1-2.
The coach of the team was Derrick Pereira
. Players like Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Manjit Singh and Surojit Bose have been associated with the team. The club also tried forming under-15 and under-19 teams in order to nurture the young talent in the country.
to win the Durand Cup
, the second oldest football competition in the world, twice. It was also the first team from Maharashtra
to win the Harwood League and the Nadkarni Cup three times in a row. The club has been three times winner of the Durand Cup, two times winner of IFA shield
and Federation Cup
. There are several other championships like Mammen Mappillai Cup, Rovers Cup, CM Cup and Super Cup where Mahindra United has registered victory.
Manager/Coach : David Booth
Assistant Coach : Arshad Hussain
Physio : Dr Sandeep Kurale
Medical Head. : Dr N N Shingornikar
Mahindra United participated in I-league (Under-19) held since 2008.
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...
, India
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...
. Their home ground was the Cooperage Ground
Cooperage 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...
in Mumbai. Mahindra United played in the 1st Division of 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...
, the AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
-affiliated top-tier football league in India before closing down at the end of 2009-10 season
2009–10 I-League
-Managerial changes:-League table:-Fixtures and results:...
.
The club was popularly referred as India's MU after English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. The club was one of the popular football clubs in the country and was known for its consistent good performance in the last four decades of its existence. The club had won many a major tournaments in India.
History
The Club was founded in 1962 as the Mahindra & Mahindra Allied Sports Club under the patronage of the Mahindra GroupMahindra Group
The Mahindra Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered at Mahindra Towers in Mumbai, India, with operations in over 100 countries across the globe...
. The Club secured admission into Bombay's Harwood League in 1964. In the summer of 2000, the Club was renamed Mahindra United. The shirt colour was also changed from orange to red.
The team played its NFL
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...
home matches at the Cooperage Ground
Cooperage 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...
in Mumbai, but due to the bad state of the stadium, as of February 7, 2006, they had to play almost all of their NFL games away from Mumbai.
The club finished the inaugural season of the NFL Premier 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...
at the bottom of the table, but were not relegated as there was no second tier in the league at the time.
Mahindra were crowned champions of the NFL Premier 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...
for the first time in the club's history in the 2005-06 season with two games to spare. They followed it up by beating their arch-rivals, Air India for the first time in the season. They are also two-time winners of the Federation Cup, having won the title in 2003 and 2005.
The win in 2005 ensured that Mahindra became the first club in the history of Indian football to win the Federation Cup and National Football League double in the same season.
They did however lose the NFL Super Cup to East Bengal
East Bengal Club
Kingfisher East Bengal Football Club are an Indian professional football club based at Kolkata. They are known to be one of the best footballing sides in India. They have won the most IFA Shields in Indian Football and are tied for the most National Football League and Durand Cup championships with...
by a margin of 1-2.
The coach of the team was Derrick Pereira
Derrick Pereira
Derrick Pereira, , is a Indian association football manager and former player, who has managed Indian I-League side Pune FC since 2009. He is currently the club's longest serving manager....
. Players like Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Manjit Singh and Surojit Bose have been associated with the team. The club also tried forming under-15 and under-19 teams in order to nurture the young talent in the country.
Achievements
Mahindra United had won almost all the major competitions in India. It was the only team from MumbaiMumbai
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...
to win the Durand Cup
Durand Cup
The Durand Football Tournament was started by then, India's Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India, in 1888. The initial matches were played in Dagshai. It was basically initiated, as a recreation for British troops stationed in India. The Durand Cup was twice suspended, during the two...
, the second oldest football competition in the world, twice. It was also the first team from 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...
to win the Harwood League and the Nadkarni Cup three times in a row. The club has been three times winner of the Durand Cup, two times winner of IFA shield
IFA Shield
The IFA Shield is an annual football competition organized by the Indian Football Association. It is the fourth oldest club cup competition in the world after the English and Scottish FA cup's and the Durand Cup.-Results of IFA Shield:...
and Federation Cup
Federation Cup (India)
The Federation Cup is an annual knockout style club football tournament in India. It has started in 1977. From its inception till I-League has been started in 1997 , it was the most prestigious national level club football tournament in India...
. There are several other championships like Mammen Mappillai Cup, Rovers Cup, CM Cup and Super Cup where Mahindra United has registered victory.
Last registered squad
Honours
- Indian LeagueI-LeagueThe 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...
: 1
-
- 2006
- Durand CupDurand CupThe Durand Football Tournament was started by then, India's Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India, in 1888. The initial matches were played in Dagshai. It was basically initiated, as a recreation for British troops stationed in India. The Durand Cup was twice suspended, during the two...
: 3
- Durand Cup
- 1998, 2001/02,2008
- Federation Cup (India)Federation Cup (India)The Federation Cup is an annual knockout style club football tournament in India. It has started in 1977. From its inception till I-League has been started in 1997 , it was the most prestigious national level club football tournament in India...
: 2
- Federation Cup (India)
- 2003, 2005
- IFA ShieldIFA ShieldThe IFA Shield is an annual football competition organized by the Indian Football Association. It is the fourth oldest club cup competition in the world after the English and Scottish FA cup's and the Durand Cup.-Results of IFA Shield:...
: 2
- IFA Shield
- 2006, 2008
- 2007:AFC CupAFC CupThe AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
Quarter-Finals
- 2007:AFC Cup
- 2006
- 2006 : AFC Cup
- 2004 : AFC CUP (Asian Football Confederation) 2004 3rd Place in Group B
- 2003 : President of Maldives Invitational Soccer Cup
- 2003 : Super Cup
- 1971, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1995 :12x Mumbai Elite Division 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- 2000, 2001/02 : 3x Nadkarni Cup
- 2000, 2001, 2002
- 1980 : Bandodkar Gold Cup
- 1993 : Rovers Cup
- 1998 : Chief Ministers Cup
- 1999 : Mammen Mappillai Cup
Performance in AFC competitions
- AFC CupAFC CupThe AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
: 3 appearances
-
- 2004AFC Cup 2004The 2004 AFC Cup was the 1st edition of the AFC Cup, playing between clubs from nations who are members of the Asian Football Confederation.-Qualification:...
: Group Stage - 2006AFC Cup 2006The 2006 AFC Cup was the 3rd edition of the AFC Cup. Al-Faisaly from Jordan became the first side to win the competition two years in a row.-Qualification:...
: Group Stage - 2007AFC Cup 2007The 2007 AFC Cup was the 4th edition of the AFC Cup, playing between clubs from nations who are members of the Asian Football Confederation.-Qualification:...
: Quarter-Finals
- 2004
Ex-staff
General Manager : Henry MenezesManager/Coach : David Booth
David Booth (football manager)
David Booth is an English football coach and manager. He is currently coaching the Sisaket F.C. team. In England, he was manager of the English football clubs Grimsby Town and Darlington .-Early years:...
Assistant Coach : Arshad Hussain
Physio : Dr Sandeep Kurale
Medical Head. : Dr N N Shingornikar
Mahindra United Under - 19 years
In an attempt to nurture young talent and promote football in Mumbai, Mahindra United fielded an Under-19 years team from 2003. The team performed extremely well in the NFL league for U-19 years and reached the semi-finals, beating teams like Churchill Bros and Salgaocar. This promotion of the U-19 years team has helped the players to develop and display their talent at the top level and has got them instant recognition and offers from some leading clubs in Mumbai.Mahindra United participated in I-league (Under-19) held since 2008.