Will Churchill Brothers FC Discontinue Instead of Aiming for ISL?

One of the most legendary clubs in Indian football, Churchill Brothers FC, is reportedly going to shut down its professional team after the next season of the I-League. It has been revealed that the club president, Churchill Alemao, announced a shocking decision due to financial constraints as the main reason.

 Financial Struggles

Churchill Alemao stated, "We require Rs 12 to 14 crores annually to run the club effectively." Despite receiving a Rs 3 crore allocation from the Goan government for their I-League clubs, the amount is insufficient to sustain the team. 

This decision is a significant blow to Indian football fans, as Churchill Brothers have been a pillar of the sport in the country since the days when the I-League was known as the National Football League.

While the club does intend to shut down only the senior team, junior and youth teams will continue to run. Of course, this partial closure corresponds with the financial burden of maintaining a top-level professional team. 

Churchill Brothers operate in an extremely professional and structured way: youth teams, a reserve team, a women's team, and a senior men's team.

Legacy of Churchill Brothers FC

Churchill Brothers FC, established in 1988, has been one of the top Indian football clubs. They won the I-League twice and the Durand Cup thrice, as well as qualified for the AFC Cup Round of 16 in the years 2010 and 2016.

Notable Players:

• Odafa Onyeka Okolie:  A prolific goal-scorer for the club. And highest paid player in Indian football that time.
• Sunil Chhetri: Indian football legend who won the I-League with Churchill Brothers.
• Current ISL Players: Glan Martins, Brandon Fernandes, Akash Sangwan, and Saurav Mandal have all played for Churchill Brothers, highlighting the club's role in developing talent.

Historical Context

This is not the first instance of a Goan Club deciding to withdraw its senior team from the I-League. The same happened with Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC, and Sporting Clube de Goa in recent years. 

But those clubs are slowly getting back on their feet again. Dempo SC is already playing in the I-League. Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa are doing their homework before making a comeback at the top level.

The potential closure of Churchill Brothers' senior team marks a pivotal moment for Goan and Indian football. The club's decision underscores the financial difficulties faced by many teams outside the Indian Super League (ISL).

Sure, the youth and junior teams would still be in the mix, but it is the senio'r team which keeps thousands in the cheering fans; its absence will be felt deeply by fans and the Indian football community.

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