Panaji: Churchill Brothers Sports Club could consider playing in the Indian Super League (ISL) as Goa’s second franchise – from South Goa – should the opportunity arise in a year, or two.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has plans to merge both leagues and have just one league in the near future. The proposal was expected be pushed through this season but objections from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal meant the ISL and I-League, India’s premier football league, will now run concurrently for the first time.
The ISL has just been expanded to 10 teams and is set for a second expansion in 2019 when new teams from the same city – or rather a 50km radius, according to rules – can be considered.
Churchill Brothers, the only Goan team in the I-League, will be ready to play ball in the top league.
“Let’s see what happens in the future. We have spent everything we had on Indian football. Churchill Brothers are now the only Goan team in the I-League and when the AIFF starts one league, we hope to be there as well,” said club owner Churchill Alemao.
If the organizers allow a second team from Goa, it could be asked to operate from South Goa, home to Churchill Brothers. FC Goa, the Goan franchise in the ISL owned by the Deltin group, is based in North Goa.
“We have had to struggle to get back into the I-League after being kept out. Our CEO (Valanka Alemao) fought the battle in court and ensured that Goa had a team in the I-League, particularly at a time when all three Goan teams (Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa) opted out.
“It’s not easy to run a football team at a high level. It’s cost us a lot but the passion for the game keeps us going. It’s not a passion of just one man. It’s a family thing; my brothers, wife, daughters and son (Savio Alemao) have all played their role and now even our grandchildren are regulars for football matches,” said Churchill.
On more occasions than one, Churchill Brothers have earned plaudits for being the only family-run club. To their credit, the club was responsible for a massive hike in salaries in the late eighties when they started and the nineties even before professionalism kicked in. The signing of Aqueel Ansari – the first player from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to be lured to Goa – heralded a new order in Indian football and soon enough Churchill captivated everyone with their foreign signings.
“We’ve always got the best foreign players here. The AIFF has increased the number of foreign players in the I-League this season (from four to six) and I must congratulate them. I’ve always maintained that unless our players play alongside quality foreign players, they will not improve,” said Alemao.
Alemao has a point. Churchill have carved a fierce reputation for bringing in the best foreign players to India. Starting with Percy Mwase in 1996 during the inaugural National Football League (NFL) to the likes of Yakubu Yusif, Edward Ansah, Osumanu Hussein and, who can forget, Odafa Okolie, Churchill have always been powered by a strong foreign force.
‘Even now, we are looking at bringing in some exciting foreign players. Nothing is finalised but when they land here, they will make heads turn,” said Alemao.
Just playing with words. It was an allegation, he pleaded not guilty, was not sent to any prison and settled the case financially. The case was dropped. Media is trying to create unnecessary catchy headline so made it convicted sex offender. Similar to wild allegations of abuse and assault by Nicolai Adams of U-17 team
Probably the person who filed the case took back the complaint after financial settlement and the case was dismissed. Clubs stay away from players if such cases are in court and it is better to settle financially then losing 10 times more salary money
FC Pune City sign 26-year-old Jamaican forward Dane Kelly. With 42 goals during his career with Charleston Battery, Kelly is the all-time leading scorer in the current version of the USL established in 2010.
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Our new Blue is a convicted sex offender!
http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/deportes/braulio-acusa-a-guardia-civil-de-coaccionarle-y-se-declara-inocente_708543.html