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On 20 September, after the second round of bidding invitations, the Bid Evaluation Committee decided to award the Sree Gokulam Group the right to field their team in the Hero I-League 2017–18 season onward from Kozhikode, Kerala. Although the club did not have a good beginning as it was their first I-league season, they went on to defeat big clubs in the I-league like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Minerva Punjab by the end of the season. They came to be known as the giant killers of the season.
Gokulam Kerala FC hired Spaniard Fernando Andres Santiago Valera as head coach in March 2018.[1]
On 15 March 2018, Gokulam played the Super Cup qualifiers against North East United FC and was qualified with a 2-goal victory.[2] In the pre-quarterfinals of the Super Cup on 1 April 2018, they were leading against Bengaluru FC by 0–1 until 60 minutes with a goal scored by the striker Henry Kisekka but Bengaluru scored a stoppage time goal which led to the defeat of 2–1.[3]
Gokulam Kerala FC played all its home matches in the EMS Stadium which was located in the heart of the Calicut city. The West stand was the largest and could accommodate the maximum 100,000 of people.[citation needed]
Kerala is a state known for its passionate football fans. Football in Northern Kerala (known as Malabar Coastal Region) has arguably one of the most passionate fanbases in the state. Gokulam Kerala is a club based on Kozhikode in the Malabar Region. GKFC Battalia is the official supporters' group of Gokulam Kerala FC. Their support led them to be known as Malabarians.[4]
Rivalry
Rivalry with Kolkata Clubs
Gokulam kerala FC is known for pathbreaking both the dominant Kolkata clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in some major matches in I-League and Durand Cup. Gokulam kerala FC won the Durand cup being the underdogs by defeating East Bengal in semi-final and Mohun Bagan in the final match. Both Kerala and West Bengal states are also two dominant powerhouses of Indian Football.
Crest and colours
Crest
Theyyam is a popular ritual form of worship in North Kerala
The club logo incorporates elements from historical Theyyam, a famous ritual art form that originated in North Kerala. It encompasses dance, mime and music.
On 24 October 2018, Gokulam Kerala FC signed an exclusive deal with local television channel Flowers. Gokulam Kerala FC home matches are televised on Flowers Channel. Due to issues with Star Sports Network, the broadcast was halted. I-League live telecast is on 1Sports[5] and Fancode.[6]
^Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the I-League matches were cancelled after 14 March 2020, and Gokulam Kerala were positioned 5th in the points table after 15 match. The Super Cup wasn't also held for the lockdown and Durand Cup was promoted to the de-facto league cup.
Honours and Titles
File:Durand Cup.jpgThe Durand Cup trophy won by Gokulam Kerala for the first time in 2019
Muhammed Rashid
Daniel Addo
Henry Kisekka
Marcus Joseph
Champions (1) -2019
Runners-up(1) -2018–19
Vincenzo Alberto Annese
Djair Miranda Garcia
Joel Williams
Spain
