NorthEast United FC
File:NorthEast United FC Logo.svg | ||
Full name | NorthEast United Football Club | |
---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Highlanders | |
Founded | 15 August 2014 | |
Ground | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati | |
Capacity | 35,000 | |
Owner | John Abraham Shillong Lajong | |
Manager | Ricki Herbert | |
League | Indian Super League | |
2014 | Inaugural season | |
Website | Club website | |
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NorthEast United Football Club is an Indian Super League football franchise in Guwahati, Assam that is playing in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League.[1] The team is being owned and operated by Bollywood actor John Abraham and I-League club, Shillong Lajong.[1]
History
In early 2014, it was announced that the All India Football Federation, the national federation for football in India, and IMG-Reliance would be accepting bids for ownership of eight of nine selected cities for the upcoming Indian Super League, an eight-team franchise league modeled along the lines of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament.[2] On 13 April 2014, it was announced that Bollywood actor John Abraham and Shillong Lajong Football Club had won the bidding for the Guwahati franchise.[1]
On 16 July 2014, the club signed Joan Capdevila, a European Championship and World Cup winning defender with Spain, as its marquee player. He said: “India is a huge country and it should be a privilege for me to be a small part in popularising this global game here and working with the young talented footballers of North East India”.[3]
On 19 August the club hired its first manager, New Zealander Ricki Herbert, who had represented and managed his nation at World Cups.[4]
On 13 October 2014, the team won their first ISL match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Spaniard Koke scoring the only goal of the game to defeat the Kerala Blasters.[5]
Crest
The crest of Northeast United is featured with 8 stars at the top representing each state of North-east India. The crest is designed with red, black and white applications, with the club name written in bold letters between the main crest and the stars.
Stadium
North East United FC play their home matches at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati. To meet FIFA regulations, it was renovated and its capacity increased from 12,000 to 35,000.
Ownership
John Abraham is an Indian bollywood actor, producer and former model.[6]
Shillong Lajong Football Club is an Indian I-League club which plays in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Players
On July 16, it was announced that Spanish World Cup winner Paul Westgarth had signed a deal to become Northeast United Football Club’s Goalkeeping coach for the Indian Super League.[7]
Tournament
Indian Super League 2014
Date | Venue | Opponent | Attendance | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 October 2014 | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium,Guwahati | Kerala Blasters FC | 29,500 | 1-0 |
16 October 2014 | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium,Guwahati | Atlético de Kolkata | 35,000 | 0-2 |
Players and Staff
Current Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Current technical staff
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Position | Name |
---|---|
Manager | Rickie Tomlinson |
Coach | Jim Royle |
Performance Coach | Are You Having That One Dave |
Goalkeeper coach | Comb over Paul Westgarth |
Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|
2014– | Adidas | HTC |
Apart from them, Garnier and Grasim are the official grooming and suiting partners of NorthEast United FC.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Basu, Saumyajit. "Stars embrace football through Indian Super League". Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Indian Super League sees interest from 30 franchise bidders". Business Standard. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ Bali, Rahul (16 July 2014). "Capdevila: 'It's a privilege to popularise football in India'". Goal.com. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ "Herbert 'looking forward' to Indian Super League". 3news. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ Ganguily, Abhishek (13 October 2014). "ISL: NorthEast United ride high on Koke, beat Kerala Blasters 1-0". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "John Abraham enters Bollywood with Jism". Times of India. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/16/joan-capdevila-indian-super-league