Mumbai Football League
Encyclopedia
Mumbai Football League The Mumbai Football League organised by Mumbai District Football Association is a ladder-based competition involving a total of six divisions and 300+ teams. Out of this massive total, twelve teams make up the Women's Football League which is the traditional curtain raiser of the season.
The MFL features teams from all over the city from Churchgate/C.S.T all the way up to Virar /Thane. Teams at the top level i.e. – MFL Elite and Super Divisions have a professional / semi-professional setup and usually practice thrice a week on average and the players are on a previously agreed monthly stipend.
Certain clubs are institutional ex- Bank teams and Government teams (Union Bank, State Bank, RBI, Railways, BEST, MMC). These teams are mostly made up of bank employees – recruited through their respective sports quotas. Sadly, this particular trend which was at its peak during the 80’s is almost extinct today as employment through football has become a rarity today.
Ex-Students Associations, Church Parishes, Sport Clubs, School/Colleges, Companies and Football Academies make up some of the most common types of teams seen in the League today. Off-late, with the easily affordable registration fees for the lower divisions, there has been a huge influx of individually owned outfits.
Instead of a monthly stipend, players in the lower divisions are given match fees per game which usually range between 50-300 rupees per game depending on the result - apart from conveyance allowances. (Certain low-budget teams do not provide any monetary benefit.)
These teams usually conduct practices one a week on an average.
Apart from a coach and team manager, most teams do not have any support staff like physios or nutritionists. While the manager handles all the financial matters of the club, everything else is handled by the team coach.
Trails are conducted by all clubs in the pre-season phase after which the final team of twenty two players is registered with the Mumbai District Football Association. No player can play for two teams in the same calendar year.
While the initial round-robin phase generally lasts for a period of three months, the top teams continue their campaign in another month-long post-season phase to determine the champions and the promoted teams.
A few high-budget teams have an extended season with out-station trips to play private tournaments in other cities. Bombay Muslims, Akbar Travels and Union Bank of India are three teams that regularly go on football tours.
The one aspect that has been modified for this season is the start dates for the league. The Women's division used to be one of the first to kick-off in the MFL however the dates for the current season have been pushed forward (awaiting official announcement from the MDFA) to facilitate preparation for the district and national camps.
The division boasts the creme of Women's football in the city apart from many international players from the current and past national teams.
Women's Division Format
Participating Teams
Eliminating the much-criticized championship play-offs from previous editions, the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) has restructured the Elite Division 2010-11 season into a classic league format with the teams contesting for the championship and the two dreaded relegation spots.
The new structure brings an end to the exemption enjoyed by the i-League teams in previous seasons, meaning that Air India, Mumbai FC and the newly promoted ONGC will play all teams in the round-robin fixtures.
The exodus of Mahindra United from Mumbai's football scene following Mahindra United u-19's success in winning the Super Division 2009-10 has surprisingly resulted in no teams being promoted to the top flight.
Elite Division Format
All twelve teams will play each other in a round-robin single leg format.
The two teams standing First and Second at the end of the league will be declared the Winners and Runners Up of the Harwood League.
The teams finishing in the bottom two places at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division (Season 2011-12)
Participating Teams
(*Mumbai United has withdrawn)
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The decision by the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) to expand Mumbai's second tier of league football clubs the Super and Senior Divisions to form the new Super Division 2010-11, with a massive 32 team roster.
Super Division Format
All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round .
The team standing first and second after the completion of the round-robin playoff league shall be declared the winner and runner-up and will be promoted to the Elite Division (Season 2011-12).
The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division One (Season 2011-12).
Participating Teams
Division One Format
Participating Teams
Division Two Format
Participating Teams
Division Three Format
Participating Teams
The MFL features teams from all over the city from Churchgate/C.S.T all the way up to Virar /Thane. Teams at the top level i.e. – MFL Elite and Super Divisions have a professional / semi-professional setup and usually practice thrice a week on average and the players are on a previously agreed monthly stipend.
Certain clubs are institutional ex- Bank teams and Government teams (Union Bank, State Bank, RBI, Railways, BEST, MMC). These teams are mostly made up of bank employees – recruited through their respective sports quotas. Sadly, this particular trend which was at its peak during the 80’s is almost extinct today as employment through football has become a rarity today.
Ex-Students Associations, Church Parishes, Sport Clubs, School/Colleges, Companies and Football Academies make up some of the most common types of teams seen in the League today. Off-late, with the easily affordable registration fees for the lower divisions, there has been a huge influx of individually owned outfits.
Instead of a monthly stipend, players in the lower divisions are given match fees per game which usually range between 50-300 rupees per game depending on the result - apart from conveyance allowances. (Certain low-budget teams do not provide any monetary benefit.)
These teams usually conduct practices one a week on an average.
Apart from a coach and team manager, most teams do not have any support staff like physios or nutritionists. While the manager handles all the financial matters of the club, everything else is handled by the team coach.
Trails are conducted by all clubs in the pre-season phase after which the final team of twenty two players is registered with the Mumbai District Football Association. No player can play for two teams in the same calendar year.
While the initial round-robin phase generally lasts for a period of three months, the top teams continue their campaign in another month-long post-season phase to determine the champions and the promoted teams.
A few high-budget teams have an extended season with out-station trips to play private tournaments in other cities. Bombay Muslims, Akbar Travels and Union Bank of India are three teams that regularly go on football tours.
Women's Division
The Mumbai Women's Football League - one of four tournaments of its kind across the country - remains unchanged in terms of format for the 2010-11 season.The one aspect that has been modified for this season is the start dates for the league. The Women's division used to be one of the first to kick-off in the MFL however the dates for the current season have been pushed forward (awaiting official announcement from the MDFA) to facilitate preparation for the district and national camps.
The division boasts the creme of Women's football in the city apart from many international players from the current and past national teams.
Women's Division Format
- All the teams in the division will be divided two groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
- The top three teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
- The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
- The team standing first and second after the completion of the round-robin playoff league shall be declared the winner and runner-up of the Women's League 2010-11.
Participating Teams
| Father Agnels (Red) | Bodyline FC | Companeroes | PIFA Colaba FC |
| Sellebrity FC | Sea View SC | Father Agnels (Blue) | Steadfast Academy |
| Kenkre FC | Bandra Packers | Green Rock | Sports Bandra |
Elite Division
The Elite Division is the topmost division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.Eliminating the much-criticized championship play-offs from previous editions, the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) has restructured the Elite Division 2010-11 season into a classic league format with the teams contesting for the championship and the two dreaded relegation spots.
The new structure brings an end to the exemption enjoyed by the i-League teams in previous seasons, meaning that Air India, Mumbai FC and the newly promoted ONGC will play all teams in the round-robin fixtures.
The exodus of Mahindra United from Mumbai's football scene following Mahindra United u-19's success in winning the Super Division 2009-10 has surprisingly resulted in no teams being promoted to the top flight.
Elite Division Format
All twelve teams will play each other in a round-robin single leg format.
The two teams standing First and Second at the end of the league will be declared the Winners and Runners Up of the Harwood League.
The teams finishing in the bottom two places at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division (Season 2011-12)
Participating Teams
| Air India | Mumbai FC Mumbai FC Mumbai Football Club is an Indian football club based in Mumbai. The Club has many firsts to its credit and promises made have been duly fulfilled... |
ONGC ONGC FC ONGC Football Club also known as ONGC F.C. is an Indian Football club from Mumbai in Maharashtra, India. The ONGC stands for "Oil and Natural Gas Corporation". The club, established by the public sector undertaking ONGC Ltd, currently plays in the I-League 2nd Division.-The Club:ONGC FC is promoted... |
| Akbar Travels | PIFA Colaba FC | Kenkre FC Kenkre FC Araldite Kenkre FC, simply known as Kenkre FC is a professional football club based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Their home ground is the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai and they train at the Goans Sports Ground which is 5 minutes away from Cooperage Ground. Kenkre FC play in the I-League 2nd Division... |
| Central Railway | RCF Sports Club | Mumbai Customs |
| Western Railway | Union Bank | Mumbai United* |
(*Mumbai United has withdrawn)
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Super Division
The Super Division is the second highest division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.The decision by the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) to expand Mumbai's second tier of league football clubs the Super and Senior Divisions to form the new Super Division 2010-11, with a massive 32 team roster.
Super Division Format
All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round .
The team standing first and second after the completion of the round-robin playoff league shall be declared the winner and runner-up and will be promoted to the Elite Division (Season 2011-12).
The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division One (Season 2011-12).
Participating Teams
| ICL Procam | United Boys | Byculla United | Father Agnel’s Gym |
| Companeroes | Central Railway (MD) | GB Police | Maharashtra State Police |
| Indian Navy | Mumbai Port Trust | Reserve Bank of India | Goregaon SC |
| PDP Wave | East Indian Academy | D’Assisi | Rizvi Mumbai Muslims |
| Air India u-19 | Dena Bank | Karnataka Sporting | Kenkre u-19 |
| Mumbai Railway Police | Bombay Gymkhana | Mumbai United u-19 | Juhu Sparks |
| Wellington Catholic Gym | Soccer XI | F United | Central Railway (PW) |
| State Bank of India | Intelenet | Income Tax | Sea View SC |
Division One
The brand new Division One structure decided by the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) brings together the teams in Division One and Two from previous seasons, comprising a total of forty three teams.Division One Format
- All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
- The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
- The team standing first and second after the completion of the round-robin playoff league shall be declared the winner and runner-up and will be promoted to the Super Division (Season 2011-12).
- The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division Two (Season 2011-12).
Participating Teams
| Goans SA | Rhema SC | Indian Gymkhana | Holy Cross United | Village Amboli | Adarsh ‘B’ | Dadar United | PIFA Colaba FC u-19 |
| BombayFC | Teresarians Vidya Vikasini | Spring Field | Ryan International ‘B’ | Oberoi Towers | Mumbai United u-17 | Versova Village Boys | Madanpura FC |
| Khalsa Gymkhana | Renaissance Hotel | Lakers FC | Young Boys | Adarsh ‘A’ | St. Paul’s SC | Carmelites FC | Araldite u-17 |
| Sachivalaya Gym | MMC | Young Guns | Theresians FC | Chemburites | RCF Colts | Sahar Silver Star ‘A’ | Desperados |
| Bad Boys Club | Salvation Parish | Alphonso Academy | Sunday Boys | Magic Bus | D.K. Pharma | Rhino FC | Parel Villa |
| Sagar SC | YMCA | BEST |
Division Two
Bringing together the erstwhile Division Three and Four, the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) announced the new Division Two, to be contested by seventy two teams.Division Two Format
- All the teams in the division will be divided into six or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
- The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
- The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Two Final.
- All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division One (Season 2011-12).
Participating Teams
| Dominic Savio | PIFA Colaba FC u-17 | Tata Power | Dadar XI ‘B’ | IDBI | World Network Services | United FC | Good Shepherd |
| BPT Colony | Super Soccer School ‘A’ | Saki Village Boys | Strikers FC | Khalsa SA | Borivilians Steadfast | BPCL Refineries | Sahyadri Mandal |
| Bandra West FA | MTNL | Central Railway Sahyog | NACIL Air India | Gray Athletic Club | Antop Horizon | FC Khar Sporting | Sahyadri Mandal |
| PD Hinduja | Larson and Tubro | RCF Youth Council | BARC | Jet Airways | Young Boys SC | Charkop United | Cochin FC |
| Sellebrity FC | Sporting Options | Devils FC | Fire Dragon | Fisherman Colony | Juhu Beach United | St.Joseph (Juhu) | Miners FC |
| Etacus | National SC | Kuriakon XI | Shivaji Raje | Challengers FC | Spartans FC | Arsenal | RPF Western Railway |
| FC Green Park | JJ Welfare | Bharat FC | Kingfisher FC | BPT Council | Dahisar United | Romania FC | Sea Liner FC |
| Sahar Silver Star ‘B’ | Maratha United | Our Lady of Fatima | Bacon FC | Champion FC | Don Bosco Shelter | Guru Nanak FC | Soccer A-Z |
| Hearts FC | Naval Dockyard | NYASS | Mahalaxmi FC | Sandesh Mahtre | Utkarsha Mandal | Little Masters | Super Soccer School ‘B’ |
Division Three
The decision to revamp the structure of the Mumbai Football League by the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) brings together two of the biggest divisions – Five and Six – to form the new MFL Division Three, comprising a mammoth 125 registered teams and counting.Division Three Format
- All the teams in the division will be divided into eight or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
- The top two/three teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
- The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round .
- The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Three Final .
- All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division Two (Season 2011-12).
Participating Teams
| Clint FC | Rising Star FC | Navnirman SC | Naughty Boys | Millwall FC | Naval Boys | Falcon Brothers | Joshua Generation | El Shaddai United | Kurla United |
| Our Lady of Health | Virar FC | Mazagoan FC | Wadala Village | South Mumbai United | West Zone FC | Zealous FC | Benecia FC | Mumbai Medar Samaj | Style Boys |
| Stallion FC | Creek View | MPT Reynold | Crazy Boys | Kalina Thrashers | Juhu Strikers | DC United | Ashoka FC | Gunners FC | Green Field |
| Warriors United | Kanara Catholic Associaiton | FC Prodigy | Orion FC | Los Galacticos | Predators Unleashed | King Circle United | Radha Krishna FC | Rajawadi FC | Siddhi Seva Mandal |
| Millenium United | Blitz Krieg FC | Royal FC | Young Ones | Athens XI | Dahisar United | Young Strikers | Naseeb | Suresh XI | Kingston FC |
| Adarsh FC ‘C’ | Classic FC | Cypress FC | Charkop FC | Jogeshwari FC | Sunder Nagar FC | Millat FA | Santa Cruz XI | Oriented FC | Regal FC |
| Skorost United | Indie United | Atletico Mumbai | Believers FC | Tata Memorial | Shreenath Nagar | Shree Mauli Mandal | Peace FC | Classico FC | Peninsula FC |
| Sea View Academy | 7 Star SC | Chedda Nagar Prodigies | Falcons, Santa Cruz | Renegades FC | Arsenal FC | I&G Partners | August Kranti | Labbaik | St.Sebastian Boys |
| Spaniard | SC Chincholi | BPCL (Marketing) | Krypton | Oscar Foundation | Nails United | Geostanne Untied | Mahim FC | Sunday Boys u-19 | Buddys XI |
| Shantiniketan Rock | Barcode FC | Stallion FC | Shaheen Force | Alfresco | United FC | Gharwal Youth Club | Rangers FC | Mukund SC | Colaba No Fears United |
| Extremes | Oval FC | Mavericks FC | Sharp Shooters | Miracles FC | XI Boys | Hedgewar Boys | Indian Tigers Academy | Laxmi Nagar United | Young Guns |
| Gatofield | Veera Evolution | Zeal FC | Zion FC | Gladiators | LIC | Kajupada FC | Black Panther | Catalians | Tata Consultants |
| Fleet Footers | Arsenal Mumbai SC | Freunds SA | United Youth SO | Indian Squash Professionals | Bombay Gymkhana Colts |