Bharat FC

Bharat FC was an Indian professional football team based in Pune, Maharashtra that competed in the I-League. The team was founded on 26 August 2014 by Kalyani Group as a direct-entry team into the I-League, making them the second direct-entry side in league history after Bengaluru FC.[1] The name of the team, as well as their home stadium, the Balewadi Sports Complex, were officially announced on 23 November 2014.[4] But after a disappointing season in I-league the franchise withdrew from 2015 to 2016 season of the tournament.[5]

Bharat FC
Full nameBharat FC
Nickname(s)The Lions
Founded26 August 2014[1]
Dissolved2015
GroundBalewadi Sports Complex
Pune, Maharashtra
Capacity12,000[2]
OwnerKalyani Group
Managing DirectorAmit Kalyani[3]
Head CoachStuart Watkiss
LeagueI-League
2014–15I-League, 11th
WebsiteClub website

History

In 2013, in a bid to increase the popularity of the I-League – India's top football league – the All India Football Federation approved the addition of teams into the league via bidding for a direct-entry slot.[6] The first two teams to be allowed into the I-League via direct-entry were Bengaluru FC and Mumbai Tigers but only Bengaluru FC played in the 2013–14 season.[7] Despite the failure of Mumbai Tigers, Bengaluru FC proved to be an amazing success for the I-League as the Bangalore club managed to bring in full-houses to all their matches as well as even win the league in their very first season.[8] This thus made the AIFF announce that they would be accepting bids for new direct-entry teams for the 2014–15 season.[9] On 26 August 2014, after the AIFF reviewed the bidders, they announced that Kalyani Group had won the right to start a direct-entry club for the 2014–15 season.[1]

After winning the bid for the team, in November 2014, Kalyani Group signed their first ever head coach for the football team in former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Stuart Watkiss.[10] Kalyani Group then signed their first ever player on 10 November 2014 when New Zealand international Kris Bright signed for the club.[11] After making their first signings, the Kalyani Group officially announced the name of the club on 23 November 2014 as Bharat FC.[4]

Colours and kits

During the club's first ever kit launch event on 2 January 2015, it was announced that the club's colours would be based on the team's motto, "Together, Forever and Triumphant", which are blue, red, and white.[12] The home kit was coloured in dark blue which stands for the "Peoples Football" while the away kit is predominantly red.[12] The club's third kit was coloured completely white with the colours blue and red running horizontally across the shirt. The red denotes "passion and vitality" while blue stands for "truth and loyalty".[12]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2015 Nivia[13] Kalyani Group[13]

Stadium
Main article: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex

When Bharat FC's name was announced, the Balewadi Sports Complex was also announced as the first ever stadium to be used by the club.[4] The stadium has a capacity of 12,000.[2] The team has stated their intention to eventually construct their own football stadium with Manjri being the initial looked at location for the stadium.[13]

Currently, the team has their training group located in Manjri.[13]

Team records

Overall records
As of 5 January 2015
Season I-League Federation Cup Durand Cup AFC Top Scorer
P W L D GF GA Pts Position Player Goals
2014–15 20 4 6 10 13 28 18 11th — — — Kris Bright 6

Head Coach's Record
As of 6 January 2015
NameNationalityFromToPWDLGFGAWin%
Stuart Watkiss  England 4 November 2014 1 June 2015 20 4 6 10 13 28 020.00

References
  1. Mazumdar, Rakhi. "Kalyani Group bags bid to launch team in I-league". Economic Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. "Pune ISL franchise unveils team jersey". Zee News. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. "New I-League side Bharat FC launches official kits". Times of India. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  4. "Kalyani Group names I-League team as 'Bharat FC'". Zee News. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  5. "I-League: Pune FC, Bharat FC have a week's time to appeal for exemption from club licensing criterion". goal.com. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  6. "AIFF clears two new teams for I-League". Times of India. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. "Mumbai Tigers pull out of I-League". Zee News. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. Sarbajna, Boudhayan. "Bengaluru FC' S Success Story Opens The Door For More Franchisee Clubs in I-League". The Hard Tackle. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  9. "AIFF to invite bids for new I-League teams". The Shillong Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  10. "I-League: Kalyani Group appoints Stuart Watkiss as head coach". IBN Live. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  11. Mitra, Atanu. "Kalyani Group rope in Kris Bright". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  12. "New I-League side Bharat FC launches official kits". Times of India. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  13. Viswanath, G. "High hopes for Bharat FC". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.