Sarada FC is the oldest football club in India, while Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is the oldest existing club in India. Sarada FC was founded in 1887 while Mohun Bagan was established on 15th August.
Football has been one of the fastest growing sports across the world and in India too it has seen its popularity booming as a number of Indian football clubs have made their presence felt with some attractive brands of football.
The national football league has been rebranded into I-league while the introduction of the Indian Super League has provided a good platform for the budding and talented Indian footballers.
The Indian Football Association was formed in 1893 to take care of the Indian football scene and later the All India football federation was formed in 1937. Indian team used to be one of the frontiers in Asia as they won the Asian Games gold twice and also secured a spot in the Olympic semi finals in 1956.
Indian football had reached its pinnacle in the 80s and 90s but its level has dropped and the deterioration of club football has been one of the reasons behind his downfall. However, the Indian football team has been trying its best to settle the score and it has been a quite fruitful journey so far.
Oldest football club in India: Mohun Bagan Athletic Club
| Trophies | Year |
| National Football League | 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2001-02 |
| I-League | 2014-15, 2019-20 |
| Federation Cup | 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2015-16 |
| Indian Super Cup | 2007, 2009 |
| Calcutta Football League | 1939, 1943, 1944, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018 |
| IFA Shield | 1911, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2003 |
| Durand Cup | 1953, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1994, 2000 |
| Rovers Cup | 1955, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2000 |
| Sikkim Gold Cup | 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2017 |
| Coochbehar Cup | 1904, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1916, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1962, 1972 |
| Airlines Gold Cup | 1989, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2012 |
Mohun Bagan is a well known name in the Indian football circuit as they have been one of the most successful clubs on Indian soil. Alongside East Bengal, Mohun Bagan has formed the core of Indian football as both the clubs dominated the Indian football scenario for more than three decades.
Mohun Bagan was formed in 1889 and they became the first Indian team to win the IFA Shield in 1911 by defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment. This incident led to a revolution in Indian football as more football clubs started to join the movement.
Mohun Bagan AC also did participate in other Indian tournaments and won the Calcutta Football League and IFA Shield in 1954. They went on to collect a treble as they lifted the Durand Cup, IFA Shield and Rovers Cup together in 1977.
Mohun Bagan maintained the momentum as they lifted the Federation Cup 14 times, Calcutta Football League 30 times, IFA Shield 22 times and they won Durand Cup, oldest football tournament in India, a whopping 16 times.
FAQs
Who introduced football in India?
Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari who is the father of Indian football, introduced football in India.
Which one is the biggest football club in India?
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and East Bengal are two of the biggest football clubs in India.
