Chirag United Club Kerala

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This article is about the club from Kerala that was sponsored by Chirag. For the Kolkata sponsored club, see Prayag United S.C.

Viva Kerala
Chirag United Club Kerala.jpg
Full nameChirag United Club Kerala[1]
Nickname(s)United
Founded9 May 2004; 17 years ago (2004-05-09) (as Viva Kerala)[2]
Dissolved2012; 9 years ago (2012)[3]
GroundEMS Corporation Stadium
Jawahar Municipal Stadium
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Capacity80,000 (EMS Stadium)
30,000 (JM Stadium)
80,000 (JLN Stadium)
OwnerChirag United Sports Pvt Ltd[4]

Chirag United Club Kerala (formerly known as Viva Kerala Football Club)[5] was an Indian professional association football club based in the city of Kochi, Kerala, India.[6][7] The club was originally formed in 2004, as Viva Kerala. They participated in the National Football League,[8] and I-League,[9][10] then top tiers of Indian football league system,[11] alongside Kerala Premier League.[12] The club was dissolved in 2012.[13]

Chirag United Kerala was one of the most talented and the youngest sides in the I-League,[14][15] but were referred as one of the unluckiest sides in the league.[16][17]

History[]

Formation and journey[]

Chirag United Club Kerala was formed on 8 August 2004 in Kochi.[18] The club officially took off on 19 August in a ceremony at the FACT grounds. The club was formed by a group of businessmen who felt the need for the state's representation in country's top football league, the National Football League (NFL).[19] Viva Kerala's name is the result of a contest, won by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of Ernakulam.[20]

Chirag Kerala won the 2005–06 season of Kerala State Football League,[21] their only regional title. In September 2006, they emerged victorious in Tirur All-India Football Tournament in Tirur, beating Travancore Titanium XI 1–0.[22] They also reached the final of E. K. Nayanar Memorial Football Gold Cup in 2007 but lost at the end to Ghanaian side Nania Accra FC, by 3–0 margin.[23]

In 2007, the opportunity for an NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase.[24] In the final phase, Viva Kerala finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the I-League 2007–08 on 6 April 2007.[20] The club were relegated to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2007–08. In the next season Viva Kerala were promoted for the 2009–10 season,[25] after finishing as runners-up of the 2009 I-League 2nd Division.[26][27][28]

In 2010, it was announced that I-League clubs needed to complete the AFC club licensing criteria; Viva signed P.K. Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new head coach.[29] In August 2011, Chirag Computers was announced as the to be new majority owners and the club name would change to Chirag United Club Kerala.[20]

NP pradeep and Chintha Chandrashekhar Rao of Chirag United in 2011
Karma Tsewang with Chirag after a match in 2011

In June 2011, Chirag Computers bought the financially troubled Viva Kerala FC. They took over a 60% stake in the club while original owners retained a 40% stake. They also changed the name of the club to Chirag United Club Kerala.[30] Chirag Computers have also said that they might move the team to Kolkata if they do not find a suitable stadium in Kerala.[31] The name of the team was officially changed to Chirag United Club Kerala on 6 August 2011. While the new owners announced that team will be based in Kerala for the 2011–12 I-League, there were talks of shifting the team to Kolkata after the season. This would leave the state of Kerala without representation in the I-League.[32] Many supporters of the club had come out strongly against this idea. Finally the club got dissolved in 2012.[20]

Last season (2011–12)[]

Viva Kerala players (in white) in action during Kerala Premier League in 2011.

Chirag were eliminated from the Federation Cup in the group stages when they lost all three group D matches;[33] Coach K.P. Kunhikrishan was replaced by Sri Lankan Pakir Ali.[34] Pakir was sacked in February after a poor run; Biswajit Bhattacharya was appointed as the technical director and was put in charge of the team.[35] Chirag finished second to last at 12th in the 2011–12 I-League season, Pailan Arrows had finished 13th were exempted from relegation as a "developmental team", and so Chirag relegated.[36][37][38][39][40] Players may have had difficulty being paid when Chirag Computers may not have released sponsorship money to the club.[41]

Crest[]

Club crest used until Chirag take-over in 2012

The Chirag Crest was very colourful. It shows a yellow shield with the words "Chirag United Kerala", which is imposed over a Coconut tree and a Soccer ball.

Stadiums[]

Main article: EMS Stadium
EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, used as the hoke ground of Chirag United Club Kerala for the first three seasons

Ever since their creation Chirag United Kerala have played in multiple stadiums. For their first three I-League seasons Chirag used the Municipal Corporation Stadium which holds a capacity of 80,000 in Kozhikode,[42][43][10] and Jawahar Municipal Stadium which holds a capacity of 30,000 in Kannur.[44]

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi

They then after getting bought by Chirag Computers decided to move to the Jawarharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi which boasts a capacity of 70,000 and has working floodlights. They played all their home games of 2011–12 I-League at the Jawarharlal Nehru International Stadium.

Rivalries[]

Chiang United Kerala shared rivalries with other Kerala-based clubs including Kerala Police FC, SBI Kerala,[45] FC Kochin, Travancore Titanium XI and Quartz Calicut,[46][47][48] whom they faced in both the domestic and regional leagues.

Ownership[]

The club was established in 2004 by a group of businessmen with an objective to represent Kerala in higher circles of domestic football in India. Interestingly, the name of the club was arrived upon through a public contest organised by the promoters of the club.[49]

The club sense founding was ran by Musli Power X-tra (Kunnath Pharmaceuticals) mainly due the Power X-tra being major sponsors of the team. In July 2011 after not signing for then Viva Kerala, Chirag Computers came in and brought full stake in the club and changed the name to Chirag United Club Kerala.[50]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors[]

Period Kit Manufacturers Shirt Sponsor
2004–2010 Adidas
2010–2011 Musli Power X-tra[51]
2011–2012 RP Clothing Chirag Computers[52]

Notable former players[]

For all former notable Chirag United Kerala players with a Wikipedia article, see: Chirag United Club Kerala players.

Honours[]

Further information: Chirag United Club Kerala seasons

League[]

Cup[]

  • Tirur All-India Football Tournament
    • Champions (1): 2006[60]
  • EK Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 2007[61]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Chirag United Club Kerala worldfootball.net. Retrieved 23 February 2021
  2. ^ Chirag United Kerala FC club archive Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  3. ^ Schöggl, Hans. "India - List of Foundation Dates". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ The new Chirag United Club Kerala Sportskeeda. Retrieved 23 February 2021
  5. ^ Chirag United Kerala Season: 2011-12 I-League The Hard Tackle. Retrieved 2 July 2021
  6. ^ "Prayag United vs Chirag United Club Kerala Lineups and Statistics". goal.com. Goal. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  7. ^ "First Soccer City in Kochi | Kochi Cochin News". Cochinsquare.com. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  8. ^ V Anand (23 March 2010). "I-League: Lamine Tamba saves point for Mahindra United". timesofindia.com. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  9. ^ CHIRAG KERALA VS. ARROWS 0 - 1 Soccerway.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  10. ^ a b Dubey, Sarthak (22 October 2011). "I-League: HAL Bangalore 0-1 Chirag United Kerala - Goalkeeping Howler Gifts Keralites A Shaky Win At Bangalore". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  11. ^ Viva's sweet revenge against Salgaocar in I - League kolkatafootball.com. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
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  14. ^ "Viva Kerala recruit three Ghanaians". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  15. ^ "News for the month of October 2007". www.indianfootball.de. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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  18. ^ Five Indian football clubs fans wish were still in existence Khel Now. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
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  26. ^ "National Football League Second Division". indianfootball.de. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021.
  27. ^ Indian football results and table Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  28. ^ Chaudhuri, Arunava. "2008/09 Season in Indian Football:". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  29. ^ The new Chirag United Kerala Club Sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 17 August 2021
  30. ^ Krishnan, Vineeth (8 May 2012). "New owners for Chirag United Kerala?". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  31. ^ Deal with KCA could see Chirag Kerala return to Kochi The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  32. ^ "I-League: Viva Kerala Hope To Stay In Kerala; Club Fans Ridicule Idea Of Shifting Base". www.goal.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  33. ^ Federation Cup 2011 standings Goal.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  34. ^ Pakir Ali to coach United Kerala The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  35. ^ Desperate Chirag United fires packer The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2021
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  38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) I League table 2011-12
  39. ^ Sabeeth hat-trick pushes Chirag out The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  40. ^ "Salgaocar, Viva Kerala relegated from I-League". Tha Indian. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  41. ^ Unpaid dues to players and club haunt Chirag United Kerala Goal.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021
  42. ^ Srivastava, Ayush. "Chirag United Kerala 0-3 Sporting Clube de Goa – The Flaming Oranje brush aside Nizam Packeer Ali's side". goal.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  43. ^ "Prayag United vs Chirag United Club Kerala Lineups and Statistics". goal.com. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
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  51. ^ Musli Power X-tra: sponsor of Viva Kerala muslipowerxtramusli.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021
  52. ^ Indian Football: Chirag Computers Buys 60 Percent Stake Of Viva Kerala Sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021
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  54. ^ "ONGC I-LEAGUE (2nd Division) 2008-2009". kolkatafootball.com. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  55. ^ 2009 I-League 2nd Division results Soccerway.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021
  56. ^ Schöggl, Hans. "India - List of Kerala League Champions". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  57. ^ Arunava, Chaudhuri. "List of Champions of the Kerala State Club Football Championship". Indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  58. ^ Arunava Chaudhary. "National Football League Third Division". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  59. ^ "NFL Third Division 2006–07". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
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  61. ^ Arunava Chaudhary. "1st EK Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup: 2007". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.

External links[]

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