I-League Media Team

NEW DELHI: Salgaocar FC are crowned with the Fairplay trophy, Hero I-League 2014-15 while Mumbai FC & Kingfisher East Bengal share the best organiser award of Hero I-League 2014-15 for organising their respective home matches in Cooperage Stadium and YBK Stadium & Barasat Stadium, Kolkata respectively.

Hero I-League 2014-15 came to an end amidst massive thrill and excitement, having triumphed by none other than the century-old Kolkata powerhouse McDowell Mohun Bagan. Not only the title race, even the relegation battle was no less than an enthralling drama while five teams were in the plight of getting relegated to the 2nd division.

Salgaocar FC have been a bit rocky during the second half of the season, but the Goan outfit never tried to cross the line to outsmart the opponents. They have been at the receiving end mostly but eventually they pipped their counterparts in the dying minutes to survive the battle. Nevertheless, discipline is the utmost significant parameter in Salgaocar FC camp and club’s zero tolerance approach towards sportsman spirit helped them to clinch the Fairplay Trophy for consecutive years.

Mr. Adlear D’Cruz, General Secretary, Salgaocar FC, sounded delighted on receiving the award, “We are pleased to be awarded the fair Play Trophy for the season 2014-15 Hero I-League season, credit to the players and coaching staff for the “clean football” throughout. This award reinforces the club’s dedication to show respect to the officials and opponents. On behalf of the club, I’d like to thank the AIFF for acknowledging our efforts.”

Mr. Derrick Perriera, Head Coach, Salgaocar FC was equally joyous having received the news, “Oh, it has been excellent and our boys really deserve the award. They showed their character on & off the pitch and always valued opponents as well as officials.”

Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, praised Salgaocar FC and looks forward to other teams for a better display next season, “Carrying a team and maintaining certain decorum on and off the field show the character of a team. Match result might not go your way but the team should not go breakfree. Salgaocar FC, under the tutelage of Derrick Perriera, have shown real sportsmanship and true character even when they were in troubled water. Winning Hero I-League Fairplay award for back-to-back years is a remarkable feat indeed and they have attained it. They have already set an example in Hero I-League and other teams must look forward to emulate them.”

The supporters go gaga over the players’ athletic prowess, but the proficiency of the management to run the show smoothly stays buried. The humongous task, which they wrap up within no-time, is undoubtedly praiseworthy. Mumbai FC, having returned back to Cooperage Stadium after a gap of 3 seasons, have been spot on and executed their home matches meticulously.

Atul Badgamia, Deputy Vice President, Mumbai FC, stated, “Our top priority at Mumbai FC was to give our fans the best football viewing experience as we looked to encourage men, women, children and families to come and enjoy the beautiful game at the Cooperage Football Stadium. We humbly thank the Mumbai fans who had turned up in great numbers throughout the season.

I would like to thank everybody at the Western Indian Football Association for bringing up probably the best football stadium in India as well as for their continuous support throughout the season.  And lastly, I would like to thank the All India Football Federation for recognising our efforts with this award which boosts our confidence to raise the benchmark each year and create a spectacular football viewing experience at the Cooperage.”

Meanwhile, Kingfisher East Bengal, who have been a bit gloomy this season, share the award for Best Organiser of Hero I-League 2014-15 with Mumbai FC. They had to overcome the added lumber of staging last couple of matches in Barasat Stadium, which is nowhere close to the city centre and the Red & Gold management have shown absolute intensity to get the job done without any hitch.

Mr. Kalyan Majumdar, General Secretary, Kingfisher East Bengal, sounded overjoyed on the success, “I am delighted that our sincere efforts in most trying circumstances are being recognised. It will induce us to do better in future.”

Mr. Debabrata Sarkar, Executive Committee Member, Kingfisher East Bengal, summed it up quite meticulously, “With limited resources we have worked hard to organise our home matches in the best possible manner. We will certainly aim to improve on our performance next season which will greatly facilitate the professional growth of Indian football in future.”

Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League congratulates both the clubs on their achievement, “Organising Hero I-League without any glitch has been a humongous task which can’t be successfully rounded up sans the untiring efforts from the clubs. I would like to congratulate Mumbai FC & Kingfisher East Bengal for their sheer proficiency and utmost expertise hosting the Hero I-League matches. We wish them all the best for the next season and hope to see an extra effort from other clubs as well to hog the limelight.”