East Bengal: The Football Giant Of India

Birth of East Bengal Club in 1920 was as dramatic as its rollercoaster ride for the last 9 decades.

In the early a part of twentieth century, soccer had been a preferred sport among the Bengali youth - even a lot of once Mohun Bagan's historic success within the 1911 I.F.A. protect final. however "natives", because the Indians were hailed in those days, failed to have constant privilege of nation and that I.F.A. establishment rules allowable solely 2 Indian clubs within the 1st Divisions of the League. Indian clubs like Kumartuli (1917, 1918 and 1919) and city were denied promotion in spite of topping the Second Division. Natives had to appease their appetence by enjoying in Coochbehar Cup and Trades Cup and it had been the previous tourney, that compete a big role within the formation of East Bengal Club.

On a moist afternoon on Gregorian calendar month twenty eight, 1920 Mohun Bagan was scheduled  to clash with Jorabagan in a very Coochbehar game. The later took the sector minus their star halfback Sailesh Satyendra Nath Bose, born for a few unknown reason.

Jorabagan Club's Vice- President and man of affairs Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri pleaded for Bose's inclusion with the club authorities however it fell on deaf ears. A visibly aggravated Chaudhuri now cut off all connections together with his recent club and shaped a brand new one at the side of Raja Manmatha Nath Chaudhuri, Bose, Ramesh Chandra (Nasha) fractional monetary unit and Aurobinda Ghosh.

The new club established on first August 1920 was christened East Bengal because the founders hailed from that region of Bengal.

Incidentally Manmatha Nath Chaudhuri was the prince of Santosh, currently in Bangladesh, once whom the Santosh trophy is titled.

Thereafter the founders debated intensely over the selection of colors for the club jersey. Once an extended search they opted for a red and golden color shirt hanging imposingly at the Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co. grocery store at Chowringhee. These colors became for good related to the club.

The club compete its maiden tournament within the same month of its institution i.e. August 1920. The tourney was Hercules Cup, a seven-a-side competition that the club won with none Herculean effort. The club found out its 1st managing committee with academician. S. Roy, Principal of Vidyasagar school UN agency assumed the post of the President.

East Bengal looked back then. It failed to believe rising sort of a meteor, however dazzled sort of a sun in a very blaze of glory, editing association football history within the country over and yet again.

Nothing came on a platter for East Bengal Club that solely steeled their character and created them even a lot of determined to square out among the various. East Bengal Club got the affiliation of Indian soccer Association (then go by the British) in face of some grim opposition, sadly tho', from different Indian Clubs of Kolkata --Mohun Bagan and Aryans. step by step by agency of their performance,

East Bengal entered the I.F.A. League's Second Division within the place of Tajhat Club. Mr. Suresh Chaudhuri used the nice workplace of Raja Gopal Roy, Tajhat Club's owner, to secure the club's entry. East Bengal now created their impact by not solely securing the third position within the Second Division however conjointly went down fighting to Dalhousie A.C., a primary division club, within the third spherical of I.F.A. Shield, solely once the fourth meeting, underneath controversial  circumstances.

The club's officers thenceforth started trying to find a ground and shortly noticed that Mohun Bagan's partner in their ground was one National A.C. with root in Behala; it had been already defunct and Bagan was having the utilization of the complete ground. East Bengal took up their claim with the authorities and despite their rival's protests became co-sharer of the bottom in 1922. In those days the goal posts were placed East-West and East Bengal took possession towards the Red Road.

1924 was an eventful year within the history of the club. Not solely did they become Joint Champions of the Second Division however conjointly the club contributed in a very massive live by raising funds for fitting the sculpture of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee ahead of C.E.S.C. workplace at Chowringhee.

As mentioned, East Bengal was put together tied at the highest spot of the second Division at the side of Cameroons "B"; however because the Cameroon's "A" team was already enjoying within the 1st Division, the mantle of promotion fell on East Bengal. Still the club's elevation wasn't as swish because the I.F.A. establishment rules allowable solely 2 Indians groups within the elite division and Mohun Bagan and Aryans already crammed up the bill. It necessitated a modification of rules and within the following establishment meeting, those that opposed the club's promotion were ironically the Indian groups Mohun Bagan and Aryans once more.

The remaining 9 British Clubs sent their approval. Majority prevailed and East Bengal embarked upon their campaign within the Premier Division. The rule proscribing the promotion of Indian Clubs was abolished as a result of the club's efforts. they'd achieved what different Indian clubs, namely, Kumartuli and city had failing earlier. East Bengal shortly became a number one club of the country. Throngs of fans and supporters started rallying behind the club. Their numbers increased during the partition, once bulk of refugees from erstwhile Bangladesh known as East Bengal came in their pursuit of an identity.