| History of Mohun Bagan AC. |
| Mohun Bagan was established on 15th August, 1889. On inception, the name was Mohun Bagan Sporting Club. The first emblem was a Royal Bengal Tiger. The first playground of the club was Mohun Bagan Villa owned by Kirti Mitra of North Kolkata. In 1890, the club was renamed as Mohun Bagan Athletic Club.The first match was against the Students of Eden Hindu Hostel. Subedar Major Sailendranath Basu took over as Secretary of the club in 1900. Mohun Bagan won Coochbehar Cup, in the year 1904, which was its first trophy. |
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| 1889-1909 | 1910-1919 | 1920-1929 | 1930-1939 |
| 1940-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 |
| 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 |
Prelude
Prelude : Before it began
8 year old boy named Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari changed the way we play football. His charming persona helped develop a keen interest in the game among his classmates, and with the teachings and encouragement of a British Presidency College Professor GA Stack, Nagendra established the Boy’s Club in 1880 when he was 11. August 15, 1889. Members of the three aristocratic families sat down at the Bose’s residence. After deliberate discussions spanning a few hours, the decision to form the club was made. The head of the Bose family, Bhupendra Nath Bose became the first President of this institution named ‘Mohun Bagan Sporting Club’.
1889 to 1909
The Beginning – Mohun Bagan is born
It was year 1889. The Indian independence movement against the British rule was spreading rapidly after the uprising of 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. It was a period of growing political awareness, manifestation of Indian public opinion, and emergence of Indian leadership at national and provincial levels. The spontaneous and widespread rebellion fired the imagination of the Indian nationalists throughout the country. Under these circumstances, the birth of Mohun Bagan club on 15th august 1889 is not only organizing a football club but a step forward towards promoting a patriotic feeling, an awakening spirit in Bengali hearts. Mohun Bagan is not only a club, it is a national institution.
1910 – 1919
Creation of History – 1910 to 1919
From 1910 to 1912,Mohun Bagan consecutively triumphed Bengal Jimkhana Shield. Obviously Mohun Bagan earned the highest position among all the Indian teams.
Then came the year 1911,one of the most memorable years, in the history of Indian football. Mohun Bagan reached the final after defeating St. Xavier’s in the first round, by 3 goals to nil, Rangers in the second round by the same score again, Rifle Brigade in the third round by 1 goal to nil and Middlesex Regiment in the Semifinal .1st day of semifinal was a draw.But finally Mohun Bagan reached final after victory by 3 goals to nil against Middlesex Regiment.The 29th of July 1911. Mohun Bagan lost in toss and was placed towards Eden Garden,and East York towards Fort William.The match referee was H.G.Puller.Under the captainship of Shibdas Bhaduri, Mohun Bagan players entered the ground encircled by thousands of supporters hopefully looking forward for the victory. Mohun Bagan won IFA Shield. All the spectators were astonished by the stunning performance of Mohun Bagan. The Indians burst in ecstasy. The most incredible fact of the game was that all the players of Mohun Bagan were barefooted.
1920 to 1929
Countrywide success – 1920 to 1929
In the year 1920,Mohun Bagan reached the Semi-final of IFA Shield, but lost to Kumartuli by 2-1 goals. Kumartuli’s Tulsi Dutta,Habul Mitra and goalkeeper T Dey, performed excellently in this match and reached final but lost the shield. In 1921,the match between Mohun Bagan and Calcutta Club was stopped due to the huge crowd, which gathered to support Mohun Bagan. Club became runners-up and the Champion was Dalhousie. In 1922, an Indian team from South Africa arrived. Mohun Bagan played football and cricket exhibition matches with them. In 1923,Mohun Bagan again reached the final of IFA Shield, but was defeated by Calcutta Football Club by 3 goals to nil. This year,Mohun Bagan was invited for taking part in Bombay’s (now Mumbai)Rover’s Cup.Once again Mohun Bagan reached final and lost to Derham’s Light Infantry by 4 goals to 1.
1930 to 1939
Era of Legends – 1930 to 1939
In 1930,none of the Indian clubs, including Mohun Bagan participated in the League as well as IFA Shield because of the prevailing political turmoil. However, Mohun Bagan won the Suryakanta Shield of Moimonsingh that year.In 1931,Mohun Bagan defeated Leicester regiment, the Prince of Wales and Calcutta Customs but lost to Highland Infantry. That year Club lost its key person Subadar Major Sailen Basu. On his memory, Club handed over a Shield to IFA, which was to be rewarded to the winning team of the exhibition match between European and Indian teams, each year. In 1932, Sibdas Bhaduri, the icon of Mohun Bagan’s 1911 team passed away. An award was declared for the Captain of each year’s Shield winning team as his memento. Dwijendranath Basu, brother of Sailen Basu, who was in the charge of Secretaryship for a long time, Club’s founder members P.N.Mitra and Ajay Kumar Barat also passed away this year. Famous Barrister Shailendranath Banerjee became the honorary General Secretary of the Club.
1940 to 1949
Diamond Jubilee – 1940 to 1949
In 1940, the then General Secretary Barrister Sailen Banerjee became the Vice President of the Club. That year Club again reached the final of IFA Shield and lost to Aryans by 4 goals to 1. In 1941, another Barrister B.C.Ghosh replaced Sailen Banerjee. He was elected as the General Secretary. This year Deven Guin left us.In 1942, for the first time ever, an Insurance Scheme was implemented for the medical aid of the injured players during match. A medical Board comprising of reputed doctors was formed. A Trusty Board was also formed in the initiative of Solicitor B.K.Ghosh and Barrister S.K.Gupta for the monetary support of the Club. First Board’s prime members were Jatindranath Basu, S.N.Banerjee, P.N.Mitra, CIE Hriday Ghosh, Solicitor B.K.Ghosh and Kumar Ramendra Narayan Roy. In 1943 and 1944, Mohun Bagan won the Calcutta League in succession. In 1944, B.C.Ghosh became the Vice-President of the Club and Dr.S.K.Gupta took charge of the General Secretary. In the meantime, Junior Football team was formed under the leadership of famous footballer Balai Das Chattopadhyay. He tried to popularize baseball and rugby. In the same year, Kanai Sen passed away, who contributed a lot for the development of the Club.
1950 – 1959
The Champions – 1950 to 1959
In 1950, Club’s another ex-associate, B.K.Ghosh (Gagan Babu) left us. Gagan babu was the Asst General Secretary in 1939, the year when Club won Football League for the first time. This year, Dr.S.K.Gupta was elected the Vice President of the Club and Gagan Babu was nominated as the Trustee. Dr.Gupta was General Secretary of the Club from 1944 to 1950. Later, Chandrashekhar Sen took charge. In 1951, Mohun Bagan reached the finals of Durand Cup. On the first day of finals, Mohun Bagan was leading throughout the match but during the last few minutes, the goalkeeper was seriously injured and left the ground. T.Aao replaced him. Hyderabad Police equaled the scoreboard with 2-2 goals. Match ended in a draw. On the second day, Club lost by 0-2 goals. In the same year, Mohun Bagan lost to East Bengal on the second day of the finals of IFA Shield after the first day draw. But, alongside were some achievements. League Championship and Asian games Football Championship for the first time.
1960 to 1969
Platinum Jubilee – 1960 to 1969
In 1960 Mohun Bagan won the Calcutta Football League and IFA Shield. Mohun Bagan participated in Durant cup and won the Durand Cup as well. Based upon the club’s performance, the club received invitation from African countries in 1961 and played really well abroad. Out of 19 invitation matches, Mohun Bagan won 15, drew 3 and lost only one match. In the same year Mohun Bagan won the IFA Shield yet again.
1970 to 1979
Triple Crown – 1970 to 1979
From 1970 to 1972, three years in succession, Mohun Bagan won the Rover’s Cup. In 1971, Indian Government honoured Nation’s pride, Mohun Bagan’s Sailen Manna, with Padmashri Award.This year, Mohun Bagan donated for the aid of the injured, in the Bangladesh War. In 1972, Club won Rover’s Cup jointly with East Bengal. This year Mohun Bagan welcomed East Bengal heartily in a dinner party for winning triple crowns (Durand Cup, Rover’s Cup and IFA Shield), as per the Club’s tradition.
1980 to 1989
The Centenary – 1980 to 1989
In 1980, Club won Federation Cup (Joint) with East Bengal. Later this year Mohun Bagan won the Durand Cup at Delhi.Kolkata Football League has been abandoned this year due to the tragic incident on 16th August at Eden Gardens during a Mohun Bagan – East Bengal. 16 football lovers died at that incident. Later on that day has been named as “Football Lover’s Day”, and each year, that day is celebrated through a blood donation camp and some other functions.
1990 to 1999
Door Opens for Foreigners – 1990 to 1999
In 1990, Club lost the man who protected Mohun Bagan like his son for over half of the century. Dhiren Dey passed away. In the same year, club opens it’s door for the foreigners for the first time in it’s 100 year history. Okori Cheema, the giant Nigerian Striker played the first match wearing the maroon and green jersey at the first match of CFL. Club won the CFL this year under the captainship of Satyajit Chatterjee, another legend, who never change the club for his sheer passion on Mohun Bagan .
2000 to 2009
21st Century – 2000 to 2009
In 1990, Club lost the man who protected Mohun Bagan like his son for over half of the century. Dhiren Dey passed away. In the same year, club opens it’s door for the foreigners for the first time in it’s 100 year history. Okori Cheema, the giant Nigerian Striker played the first match wearing the maroon and green jersey at the first match of CFL. Club won the CFL this year under the captainship of Satyajit Chatterjee, another legend, who never change the club for his sheer passion on Mohun Bagan .