The story of Chirag United Club Kerala from 2004 to present features their unique time from the club's basic foundation to the current condition.
Chirag United Club Kerala were started in 2004 as Viva Kerala Football Club which in turn was actually a club made for the state of Kerala. They transformed professional in 2010 and coupled with the I-League in 2007. They were consigned to the I-League 2nd Division in 2007 however they made it right back up one year later.
In 2011 after facing economic trouble the club was taken away by Chirag Computers and modified the club's name to Chirag United Club Kerala which is what they are labeled today.
Foundation and living as Viva Kerala (2004-2011)
Formed on August 8, 2004 the club formally took off on August 19 in a event inside FACT grounds. The club was established by a group of business owners who felt the necessity for the state's representation in country's greatest football league, the National Football League (NFL). Viva Kerala's name is the outcome of a contest, earned by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of Ernakulam.
The aim was to organize a team for the EDFA (Ernakulam District Football Association) Super League and State League in the first year and National Football League (2nd Division) in the second year. The ultimate plan is to eventually become the number 1 football team of India.
Viva Kerala concentrated on choosing younger and talented local players. Viva started out its actual voyage under the command of former NFL winner T K Chathunni. In its first year, Viva beaten top clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, Titanium XI etc. and earned dominance. In 2006, Viva Kerala won a Cup from a match organized in Tirur; teams from all regions of the country took part in the tournament, such as State Bank of Travancore and Punjab Police. This time frame also witnessed the rise of a vibrant Nigerian striker – Badmus Baba Thunde. In this match Viva Kerala won the 3rd Division National Football League. In the finish of the season, A M Sreedharan replaced Chathunni as the club’s new coach.
The chance for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva pleasantly surprised everybody by finishing second place in its group and qualified for the final stage with the teams like Salgaocar SC and Chirag United. In the final stage, Viva Kerala concluded as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to confirm their position in the National Football League 2007/08 on 6 April 2007. The combination of Baba Thunde and PK Anil Kumar was one of the main elements in the success of Viva Kerala. In midfield Denson Devadas was very excellent while defense was led by captain Dhanarajan and Ombalaji. Sreedharan’s rigorous coaching built them into competitive at the top level.
Regrettably there was a minor hiccup in the path of top glory for VIVA Kerala, when the club were directed back to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2008. However, Viva Kerala were invited back to Division 1 of the I-League for season 2009-2010.
Viva Kerala lost many good players in off season to various other clubs. Later they reinforced the team by signing U-19 players from Viva Kerala U-19 and chandini FC. Official announcement was made at a press meeting in Kochi that Musli Power X-tra of Kunnath Pharmaceuticals would be the main sponsor of Viva Kerala. Kunnath Pharma’s K.C. Abraham turned out to be the Director on the Viva Kerala board and he added “This is not a one or a two-year deal…this is for life”. In the meantime, the team has been enhanced by the introduction of experienced midfielder K Kulothungan and the Nigerian Mangut. Viva has implemented their traditional style of looking around for local talents and added the players like Javed, Shamil, Sajin and Faisal to the team. O K Javed has previously made his mark as a decent striker with his work for Chandni FC, but only time period will state whether he can make it big with Viva Kerala.
I-League clubs need to accomplish the AFC club licensing criteria; in order to do so, Viva has gathered in the services of P.K Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new Head coach. They just handled though to avoid relegation at the end of the I-League 2010-11 season.
New era, new sponsors, and a new brand name (2011-present)
In June 2011 Chirag Computers purchased the economically troubled Viva Kerala FC. They grabbed over a 60% stake in the club while original owners held on to a 40% stake. They also altered the name of the club to Chirag United Club Kerala. Chirag Computers have also said that they will probably move the team to Kolkata if they do not find a appropriate stadium in Kerala. The brand of the team was legally modified to Chirag United Club Kerala on August 6, 2011. While the new owners declared that team will be situated in Kerala for the 2011-12 I-League, there are talks of repositioning the team to Kolkata after the season. This would definitely leave the state of Kerala without representation in the I-League. Many fans of the club have come out extremely against this idea.
In 2011 after facing economic trouble the club was taken away by Chirag Computers and modified the club's name to Chirag United Club Kerala which is what they are labeled today.
Foundation and living as Viva Kerala (2004-2011)
Formed on August 8, 2004 the club formally took off on August 19 in a event inside FACT grounds. The club was established by a group of business owners who felt the necessity for the state's representation in country's greatest football league, the National Football League (NFL). Viva Kerala's name is the outcome of a contest, earned by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of Ernakulam.
The aim was to organize a team for the EDFA (Ernakulam District Football Association) Super League and State League in the first year and National Football League (2nd Division) in the second year. The ultimate plan is to eventually become the number 1 football team of India.
Viva Kerala concentrated on choosing younger and talented local players. Viva started out its actual voyage under the command of former NFL winner T K Chathunni. In its first year, Viva beaten top clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, Titanium XI etc. and earned dominance. In 2006, Viva Kerala won a Cup from a match organized in Tirur; teams from all regions of the country took part in the tournament, such as State Bank of Travancore and Punjab Police. This time frame also witnessed the rise of a vibrant Nigerian striker – Badmus Baba Thunde. In this match Viva Kerala won the 3rd Division National Football League. In the finish of the season, A M Sreedharan replaced Chathunni as the club’s new coach.
The chance for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva pleasantly surprised everybody by finishing second place in its group and qualified for the final stage with the teams like Salgaocar SC and Chirag United. In the final stage, Viva Kerala concluded as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to confirm their position in the National Football League 2007/08 on 6 April 2007. The combination of Baba Thunde and PK Anil Kumar was one of the main elements in the success of Viva Kerala. In midfield Denson Devadas was very excellent while defense was led by captain Dhanarajan and Ombalaji. Sreedharan’s rigorous coaching built them into competitive at the top level.
Regrettably there was a minor hiccup in the path of top glory for VIVA Kerala, when the club were directed back to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2008. However, Viva Kerala were invited back to Division 1 of the I-League for season 2009-2010.
Viva Kerala lost many good players in off season to various other clubs. Later they reinforced the team by signing U-19 players from Viva Kerala U-19 and chandini FC. Official announcement was made at a press meeting in Kochi that Musli Power X-tra of Kunnath Pharmaceuticals would be the main sponsor of Viva Kerala. Kunnath Pharma’s K.C. Abraham turned out to be the Director on the Viva Kerala board and he added “This is not a one or a two-year deal…this is for life”. In the meantime, the team has been enhanced by the introduction of experienced midfielder K Kulothungan and the Nigerian Mangut. Viva has implemented their traditional style of looking around for local talents and added the players like Javed, Shamil, Sajin and Faisal to the team. O K Javed has previously made his mark as a decent striker with his work for Chandni FC, but only time period will state whether he can make it big with Viva Kerala.
I-League clubs need to accomplish the AFC club licensing criteria; in order to do so, Viva has gathered in the services of P.K Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new Head coach. They just handled though to avoid relegation at the end of the I-League 2010-11 season.
New era, new sponsors, and a new brand name (2011-present)
In June 2011 Chirag Computers purchased the economically troubled Viva Kerala FC. They grabbed over a 60% stake in the club while original owners held on to a 40% stake. They also altered the name of the club to Chirag United Club Kerala. Chirag Computers have also said that they will probably move the team to Kolkata if they do not find a appropriate stadium in Kerala. The brand of the team was legally modified to Chirag United Club Kerala on August 6, 2011. While the new owners declared that team will be situated in Kerala for the 2011-12 I-League, there are talks of repositioning the team to Kolkata after the season. This would definitely leave the state of Kerala without representation in the I-League. Many fans of the club have come out extremely against this idea.
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