Notwithstanding the Indian football team occupying rock bottom positions in FIFA rankings, the country boasts of a thriving domestic circuit thanks to a number of quality football clubs. These football teams are stepping-stones for India's aspiring footballers who dream of making it big.

In 1911, Mohun Bagan, the oldest football club in India, became the first Indian team to lift the IFA Shield beating the Yorkshire Regiment. This victory of an Indian club over a British outfit gave a major shot in the arm of Indian football and heralded the emergence of other football clubs in different corners of the country.

In 1996, the AIFF started the National Football League to give a fillip to club-level competition in the country. In order to grab the top NFL honours, Indian clubs have invested heavily on overseas players and coaches.

Here is a list of some famous football clubs, in India: sadly, why are we not in the international map!

• East Bengal Club
• Mohun Bagan Club
• Mahindra United
• Mohammedan Sporting Club
• FC Kochin
• JCT Mills

Full Name: Kingfisher East Bengal Football Club  
Known As: The Red and Gold Brigade 
Hometown: Kolkata, West Bengal 
Founded: 1920 
Ground: Salt Lake Stadium (NFL home ground), East Bengal Ground 
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.

TOP