Churchill Brothers S.C is a football club from India based in Salcette, Goa. This team from Goa participates in the I-League matches. The name of the club was taken from Churchill Braz Alemao and plays its home matches of I-League at Fatorda stadium in Margao, Goa.
This club happens to be one of the top teams of Goa that has won the Goa League for total of six times, the last being in 2001. At the end of 2004-2005 seasons, the club was relegated from National Football League and played in the Second Division for 2005-2006 seasons, where they were played in the Group A. After successful show in the second division outings where the team finished in the top spot for both occasions, Churchill Brothers S.C once again played the Premier League of the NFL in 2006-07 seasons. During the 2008-09 I-League seasons Churchill Brothers SC won the I-League 2008-09.
History of Churchill Brothers S.C
1988-2009
Churchill Brothers SC started up as Varca Club in the year 1988. After playing in one season the club renamed itself to Brothers Sporting Club from Varca Club. Later of course they were bought over by Churchill Braz Alemao and got themselves renamed as Churchill Brothers SC. The club went on to win the Durand Cup in 2007. The team had their best year in 2008-09 where they won the 2008-09 I-Leagues, 2009 Durand Cup, and the 2009 IFA Shield. Thanks to their I-League win which actually helped them to play in the 2010 Asian Championships Qualifiers. They lost the match and that meant they would play in the 2010 AFC Cup. Churchill Brothers SC, during the AFC Cup, won two games against Al-Hilal and ended up in the second position to advance in the next round where they would lose 1-2 to Al-Qadsia at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium.
2010-Present
Churchill Brothers SC, for 2010-2011 seasons played in the I-League. They have a contracted manager Vincent Subramaniam for the 2010-11 season of the I-League but mid-way through the season manager resigned and Churchill Brothers SC went the rest of the season with Serbian Miric as there caretaker manager who led them to 4th in the 2010-11 I-League. Churchill Brothers SC, on June 9, 2011, announced they have signed former Portugal national team assistant coach Manuel Gomes as permanent manager. Then on 13th July 2012 it was announced that Mariano Dias had been signed by the Churchill Brothers to become their new full-time head coach. After his first season in charge, Dias managed to lead Churchill Brothers to the I-League championship, their second one in history, after the 2012-13 season ended.
Colours and Crest of Churchill Brothers SC
The colours of Churchill Brothers SC kits and flags have always been red and white but before the brand new crest the home colours were white while the away colours were red. Now after the new logo was shown the home kit is red while the away kit is blue. The crest of Churchill Brothers was originally green and yellow since 2011 the crest has been red and black. The first crest was a football on grass with yellow rays coming out acting as sun rays.
Stadium of Churchill Brothers S.C
If records are considered, Churchill Brothers SC has, forever, played in Margo, Goa at the Fatorda Stadium. This apart, the players of Churchill Brothers SC use the Varca Ground in Salcette, Goa as a training ground but if the ground is not available then Churchill Brothers SC use the Dando Ground which is also located in Salcette, Goa.
Penalty for Churchill Brothers SC in 2014
Churchill Brothers were thrown out of the I-League for failing to fulfill the AIFF`s club licensing criteria. Under the AIFF`s Club Licensing Regulations, the clubs are expected to meet several legal, administrative, sporting, infrastructure and financial criteria.
Licensing is an annual process where all clubs eligible to compete based on sporting merit need to have a License under the AIFF`s Indian Club Licensing system. In 2013, only Pune FC met the requirements with all other clubs being given a once in a lifetime one-year exemption. Churchill had been one of the top club sides in the country in the last few years. They won the I-League title in 2008-09 and 2012-13 seasons and they are also the reigning Federation Cup champions. Churchill is also one of the few clubs to have played in the AFC Cup.
Honours of Churchill Brothers SC
•I-League:
Winners (2): 2008-09, 2012-13
Runners-up (2): 2007-08, 2009-10
•National Football League:
Runners-up (3): 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2001-02
•Durand Cup:
Winners (3): 2007, 2009, 2011
Runners-up (2): 2000-01, 2008
•Federation Cup:
Winners (1): 2013-14
Besides winning the above titles, Churchill Brothers SC have also won the Goa Professional League seven times and IFA Shield twice.
Present Teams of Churchill Brothers SC
The current squad of Churchill Brothers SC includes Aliston Fernandes, Razaq, D Nainoo, Elvis Barreto, Subhasish, Dhanachandra Singh, Manfred Fernandes, Sandvil D`Costa, Kamaldeep Singh, Basant Rai, Nicholas Fernandes, Seriton Fernandes, Suraj Singh, Richard Costa, Neliston D`Silva, Ashwin Godinho, Leander Fernandes, Sagar N, Aldrich Coelho, Samson Fernandes, Pankaj Sona, J Clemente, Nash Pereira and Jaison Vales.