The club History

Mohun Bagan Sporting Club, as it was initially known was founded on 15th August 1889. The club's first meeting was held at 14, Balaram Ghosh Street in Kolkata and included several high profile individuals including Bhupendranath Basu who was later to become the President of the Indian National Congress. The club's first secretary was Jatindranath Basu.

The club's first ground was at the famous marble palace, known as Mohun Bagan Villa. It was situated at Fariapukur Street, in northern Kolkata. Not sufficiently large enough as football field, it is believed that Mohun Bagan played their first ever match on this very ground against the students of Eden Hindu hostel.

The club's membership requirements at this time stipulated that the management required students to join with permission from their parents, and special attention was given to etiquette and education. Shortly before the club's first anniversary, students of Presidency College, who were also the members of Mohun Bagan, invited their professor, the famous grammatologist Prof. F.J. Rhow to visit.

Rhow pointed out that due to a lack of facilities for sports such as shooting and angling, the word 'Athletic' would be more appropriate. Thus, the club came to be known as "Mohun Bagan Athletic Club". The 2nd anniversary assembly was presided by Sir Thomas Holland who was later appointed as a member of Governor General Council.

In 1891, the benevolence of the Maharaja of Shyampukur, Durga Charan Laha saw the club's ground relocated to his grounds at Shyampukur. Later, with the assistance of Mr. Harry Lee, the chairman of Kolkata Corporation, the club's ground moved to Shyam Square which it now shared with the Aryans Club and Bagbazar Club.

Mohun Bagan's first tournament was the Coochbehar Cup, which was held in 1893. Mohun Bagan's first opponent team was a European team, the 'C' Company of Sussex Regiment.

The first sport to be played is reported to be football, but other games were soon introduced to the club. This included hockey, tennis, badminton and athletics. Cricket was introduced to the club's schedule in the 1900s. The annual athletics event at the club is held with great pomp and show.

The biggest event in the club calendar is the Mohun Bagan Day. This is held on July 29, which is the day the football team lifted the IFA Shield for the first time in 1911. The prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna award is given to former greats of the club at this event.

The club has many famous players who have worn the prestigious Green & Maroon jersey. These players have not only successfully represented the team, but also the Indian National football team.

A postage stamp was issued by the Government of India on 29^th  July  1989 during the club's centenary year to commemorate the 1911 victory of the team over East   Yorkshire Regiment (2-1). The Government honored Mohun Bagan with the title as the "National Club of India" for boosting up the Indian Nationalism which occurred after this win. Mohun Bagan's fans are proud of the fact that this has been the only postage stamp created in India for a club

Additional Information : The Green & Maroon Brigade has a rich cultural and sporting heritage and million of dedicated fans spread all over the globe. In fact our Club is the only Indian side to have played against legendary footballer Pele. The match against Cosmos was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 24th September 1977 and ended in a 2-2 draw. In 1990 another famous footballer Roger Milla came to Kolkata with the Cameroon Team to participate in a match against the Club. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club has won every single major domestic tournament played in India many times over. It won the Federation Cup in December 2006 at Kolkata to be crowned as the Champion Club of India.

It is the only Club in India to run a residential Football Academy (Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy at Durgapur)

 LINKS:  

Website: www.mohunbaganac.com