>CommonsDelinker at 01:49, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T01:49:16Z

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{{short description|Indian football 2nd Division I-League club from New Delhi, Delhi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2014}}
{{infobox football club
| clubname = Garhwal FC
| current = 2019–20 2nd Division League
| image =
| fullname = Garhwal Football Club
| nickname = ''Garhwalis''
| founded = {{Start date and age|1953}}, (as ''Garhwal Heroes Football Club'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/team/garhwal-football-club|title=Garhwal Football Club|website=Khelnow.com|access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref>
| ground = [[Ambedkar Stadium]]
| capacity = 25,000
| owner = Bhagwan Singh Negi
| chairman = Magan Singh Patwal
| manager = Stevie Grieve
| head coach = Tarun Roy
| league = [[Delhi Senior Division]], [[I-League 2nd Division]]
| season = 2013
| position = Champions
| pattern_la1 = _yellowborder
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| pattern_ra1 = _yellowborder
| pattern_sh1 = _greenbottom
| pattern_so1 =
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| body1 = 009900
| rightarm1 = 009900
| shorts1 = 009900
| socks1 = 009900
| pattern_b2 =
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| pattern_ra2 =
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| website = http://garhwalfc.com//
}}

'''Garhwal Football Club''' (formerly known as '''Garhwal Heroes FC)''' is an [[India]]n professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[New Delhi]]. The club lifted the first [[DSA Senior Division]] league title in 1986 which became one of the most successful seasons in their history. In 2010, Garhwal FC became the first Delhi based club to enter into the quarter final of [[Durand Cup]], the prestigious and oldest knockout football club tournament in [[India]]. They currently compete in the [[I-League 2nd Division]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/sports/live-streaming-i-league-qualifiers-2020-garhwal-fc-vs-bhawanipore-fc-when-and-where-to-watch-on-tv-2962079.html|title=Live Streaming I-League Qualifiers 2020 Garhwal FC vs Bhawanipore FC: When and Where to Watch on TV|website=New18.com|access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-league-2nd-division-garhwal-fc-indian-football/s0zb3573durw1pdg2csbs4q3z|title=I-League 2nd Division: Garhwal FC ready to punch above its weight to gain promotion|website=Goal.com|access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref>

==History==

===Foundation===
Garhwal Heroes FC was initially set up by '''[[Kesar Singh Negi]]''' as a platform for young players of the [[Garhwali people|Garhwali community]] to compete locally in Delhi. As the club gained popularity, it was formally registered with the [[Delhi Soccer Association]] (DSA) in 1953. Since then, GHFC has regularly featured in the league championship organized by the DSA. One of the most memorable moments came in 1986, when GHFC were crowned the champions of the [[DSA Senior Division]].
Unfortunately, the one and a half decades following the historic triumph saw GHFC beset by financial problems which resulted in the club being relegated to the A Division and then the B Division of the Delhi League. The club got a fresh lease of life when it was taken over by B. S. Negi and M. S. Patwal in 2001 following which the club gradually started its ascent once more. From the nadir of the B Division, the club gained promotion to ‘A’ Division and then to the Senior Division in 2005. Since then, GHFC, backed by strong community support, has consistently delivered strong results in the Senior Division which culminated in reclaiming the lost glory by winning the Delhi Senior Division League once more in 2012–13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Garhwal-Heroes-to-meet-Goodwill-in-DSA-senior-division-league-final/articleshow/18885368.cms|title=Garhwal Heroes to meet Goodwill in DSA senior division league final - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

In order to keep raising the bar, GHFC now has ambitions to play the I-League 2nd Division from 2013–2014 onwards. Always a community and youth-oriented club, GHFC entered into a historic partnership in 2013 with [[Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools]] – the largest and most reputed football youth development setup in India and Delhi NCR.

===Garhwal FC Era (2013–)===
In 2013, GFC also won the Delhi leg of the [[Manchester United Premier Cup]], which is a nationwide U16 club competition. As GHFC tries to attain sustainability of its operations, the partnership will strengthen the club's youth development and scouting network.

In 2013, GHFC was rechristened as Garhwal Football Club (GFC) in order to fulfill the [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] Club Licensing Criteria laid down by the [[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF) – a step that would enable GFC to compete in the [[I-League]] – the highest level of professional football in the country. GFC brought about a major restructuring drive that would make it a complete club ready for the next generation. In addition to becoming an independent commercial entity as mandated by AIFF, GFC also set up a highly organized youth development system and a professional management team in order to be able to compete in the 2nd Division of the [[I-League]]. GFC has since been recognized as one of only 15 clubs that will compete in the 2nd Division I-League and the U-19 I League by the AIFF, on 7 June 2015. GFC finished runner up in All India Football Tournament in [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]].
==Competitive seasons==
2020 was Garhwal's one of the successful seasons when the club finished top of the [[2019–20 2nd Division League]] Group A preliminary round<ref>[Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, a shorter format of the league was announced. Therefore, only the top 6 non-reserve clubs advanced to the Final Round.]</ref> and entered into the [[2020–21 I-League|Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020]], where they finished at the bottom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/17667-i-league-qualifiers-2020-full-match--fc-bengaluru-united-beat-garhwal-fc-1-0|title=I-League Qualifiers 2020 FULL MATCH -- FC Bengaluru United beat Garhwal FC 1-0|website=thefangarage.com|access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref>

==Achievements==
Being current Champions of the [[DSA Senior Division|Delhi League]], GHFC were also winners of the prestigious state league in 1986. Other notable achievements in the past include winning the [[Delhi Women's League]] in 2011 and reaching the quarterfinals of the prestigious Durand Cup in 2010, beating the likes of [[Sporting Clube de Goa]] and [[JCT FC|JCT Phagwara]] in the process.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101102143019/http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102954722000.htm ]</ref>

==Club's Tradition==

Historically, the [[Garhwal Kingdom]] in the [[Garhwal Himalaya]]s was established by King [[Ajay Pal]] by integrating the 52 forts or ‘Garhs’ in the region at a time when these forts were owned by several warring chieftains. This helped the kingdom to unite and flourish despite the hardships posed by the unforgiving terrain and extreme weather conditions. Unity and bravery of the [[Garhwali people|Garhwalis]] were also instrumental in helping the Kingdom to withstand multiple invasions – firstly from the [[Mughal tribe|Mughals]] and then from the [[Gorkha]]s. These values of fighting against all odds to survive and succeed formed the basis of the club's philosophy when it was set up. Thus, '''Unity, Bravery, Victory''' (Ekta, Shaurya, Vijay) became the guiding principles of the club. The goal of the club is to promote community welfare by achieving sporting success in the field of football on the basis these principles.

Since its inception, GFC has always been a community-oriented club with most of its roster being local players. It enjoys unparalleled support within [[Delhi]] and [[Uttarakhand]] with over 5000 fans celebrating its victory in the Delhi League in 2012–13.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.footyshekkeer.in/2014/01/garhwal-fc-gearing-up-for-i-league-2.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125150139/http://www.footyshekkeer.in/2014/01/garhwal-fc-gearing-up-for-i-league-2.html |archive-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Stadium==
{{Main|Ambedkar Stadium}}
{{infobox stadium
| name = Dr. Ambedkar Stadium
| logo_image =
| image = Ambedkar stadium in delhi at morning.jpg
| image_size = 295px
| caption = A view of the stadium
| location = [[Feroz Shah Kotla]], New Delhi, [[Delhi]] – 110001
| coordinates =
| opened = 2007
| owner = Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)<ref>{{cite news|title=Ambedkar stadium to host India's World Cup qualifier|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-28/top-stories/29712461_1_dsa-vice-president-nk-bhatia-ambedkar-stadium-football-stadium|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105200038/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-28/top-stories/29712461_1_dsa-vice-president-nk-bhatia-ambedkar-stadium-football-stadium|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|access-date=4 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 June 2011}}</ref>
| surface = Grass
| dimensions = 101.0 M x 67.5 M
| architect =
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| main_contractors =
| construction_cost =
| former_names =
| capacity = 25,000
| suites =
| tenants = [[Indian Arrows]] (present) [[Delhi United S.C.]] (present) [[Sudeva Delhi FC]] (present) [[Hindustan F.C.]] (present) [[Garhwal F.C.]] [[Simla Youngs F.C.]] Delhi FC
}}

Garhwal FC played all its home matches in the [[Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium]] which was located in the heart of the Haldwan. The largest and could accommodate the maximum number of people.

Currently the club plays all their home matches of the [[I-League 2nd Division]] at [[Ambedkar Stadium]] in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/teams/india/garhwal/26948/|title=GARHWAL FC|website=Soccerway.com|access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref>

==Squad==
{{updated|3 February 2020}}

{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=[[Sayak Barai]]}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Pratik Lama}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=[[Nitesh Chhikara]]}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Maan Singh}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Neeraj Bhandari}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=[[Abhishek Rawat]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=[[Franko Paul]]}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=[[Aman Thapa]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=NGA|pos=DF|name= Bala Alhassan|other=[[Captain (association football)|Captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=[[Nirmal Singh Bisht]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Niteen Bhandari}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Gaurav Rawat}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=IND|pos=FW|name= Muhammed Nabeel}}
{{fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Rahul Aswal}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Rony C Lalenkima}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Rahul Khokhar}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=[[Suman Sarkar]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=[[Ashish Pradhan]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Subhanil Ghosh}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Kamlesh Sathanathan Nadar}}
{{Fs player|no=29|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Ashif}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=Paramveer Singh}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=[[Abhishek Calvin]]}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name= Marques Marcio de Oliveira}}
{{Fs player|no=38|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=[[Gursimrat Singh]]}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=JPN|pos=FW|name= Kazumasa Nomura}}
{{Fs end}}

==Club Management==
{| class="toccolours"
|-
! style="background:silver;" |Role
! style="background:silver;" |Name
|-
|Honorary President||{{flagicon|IND}} Bhagwan Singh Negi
|-
|Director/Treasurer||{{flagicon|IND}} Magan Singh Negi
|-
|Director||{{flagicon|IND}} Kishor Gam Taid
|-
|Director||{{flagicon|IND}} Anurag Khilnani
|-
|Honorary Vice president||{{flagicon|IND}} Sukhpal Singh Negi
|-
|Honorary Secretary||{{flagicon|IND}} Anil Kumar Negi
|}
==Honours==
===Domestic===
*'''[[DSA Senior Division]]'''
:{{GoldMedal}} Champions (2): 1986, 2012–13<ref>[https://www.footballdelhi.com/ Delhi Senior Division Football League] ''footballdelhi.com''. Retrieved 28 February 2021</ref><ref>[http://www.indianfootball.de/data/dfl.html List of Champions of the Delhi Football League (DSA Senior Division)] ''Indianfootball.de''. Retrieved 8 May 2021</ref>
:{{SilverMedal}} Runners-up (2): 1990, 2010<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiadelhichamp.html India - List of Delhi League Champions] ''RSSSF.com''. Retrieved 8 May 2021</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of football clubs in India|List of football clubs Delhi]]
* [[DSA Senior Division]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://garhwalfc.com/main}}

{{Football in India}}
{{I-League 2nd Division}}

[[Category:Football clubs in Delhi]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1953]]

Garhwal FC - Revision history

>CommonsDelinker at 01:49, 7 July 2021