Mahindra United: The End

With today’s I-League match at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai, one 48 year old legacy will turn history. With not many good things to cherish, Indian Football faces another blow, as Mahindra United (India’s MU, as fans call them) will be disbanded after the current I-League. They will play their last match against JCT Mills. They are currently place at forth place in the league.

Born as Mahindra and Mahindra Allied sports club in 1962, backed by the Mahindra group, this club represents the golder age of Indian football. One of the few strong teams outside the Bengal/Kerala/Goa, they had won almost all coveted football trophies in India – Durand Cup, Harwood League, NFL, Federation Cup, IFA Shield, to name a few. Rechristened as Mahindra United in 2000, the club had a pretty good run in all football leagues since then.

The disbanding of Mahindra United is latest nail in the coffin of Indian football (Remember FC Kochi, Kerala Police, ITI, BSF) . I seriously hope not many clubs will follow this path.