SidneyBecnel at 21:37, 27 March 2026

2026-03-27T21:37:47Z

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{{About|the men's football team|the women's team|Garhwal United FC}}{{Short description|Indian association football club based in Delhi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{infobox football club
| clubname = Garhwal Heroes
| image = Garhwal Heroes Football Club.svg
| upright = 0.85
| fullname = Garhwal Heroes Football Club
| short name = GHFC
| 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|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121120231/https://khelnow.com/football/team/garhwal-football-club|url-status=live}}</ref>
| ground = [[Ambedkar Stadium]] <br/> [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]]
| capacity = 35,000 <br/> 60,254
| owner = Bhagwan Singh Negi
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager =
| league = {{ubl|[[Delhi Football League|Delhi Premier League]]|[[I-League 2|Indian Football League 2]]}}
| season =
| position =
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| pattern_b2 = _whitecollar
| pattern_ra2 = _whiteborder
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'''Garhwal Heroes Football Club''' (also known as '''Garhwal Football Club''') is an Indian professional [[Association football|football]] club based in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/football-delhi-2nd-division-league-qualifiers-fixtures-results-standings|title=Football Delhi 2nd Division League Qualifiers 2021: Fixtures, results, standings & more|access-date=17 July 2021|website=Khel Now|date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717173244/https://khelnow.com/football/football-delhi-2nd-division-league-qualifiers-fixtures-results-standings|url-status=live}}</ref> The club lifted its first [[Delhi Football League|FD Senior Division]] league title in 1986, which became one of the most successful seasons in their history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Indian-Football/The-history-and-the-current-status-of-football-in-Delhi/685|title=The history and the current status of football in Delhi|website=chaseyoursport.com|access-date=4 October 2021|date=29 April 2019|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001951/https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Indian-Football/The-history-and-the-current-status-of-football-in-Delhi/685|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Garhwal FC became the first Delhi based club to enter into the quarter final of [[Durand Cup]], prestigious and oldest knockout football club tournament in India. They also competed in the [[I-League 2|I-League 2nd Division]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/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|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417033951/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|url-status=live}}</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|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417033947/https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-league-2nd-division-garhwal-fc-indian-football/s0zb3573durw1pdg2csbs4q3z|url-status=live}}</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 [[Football Delhi]] (formerly ''Delhi Soccer Association'')<ref>{{Cite web|last=Josh|first=Sumit|date=8 May 2018|title=Football Delhi: A Complete Revival of The Game in The Capital|url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/football/football-delhi-a-complete-revival-of-the-game-in-the-capital|access-date=11 December 2021|website=www.thequint.com|publisher=[[The Quint]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211074618/https://www.thequint.com/sports/football/football-delhi-a-complete-revival-of-the-game-in-the-capital|archive-date=11 December 2021|language=en}}</ref> in 1953. Since then, GHFC has regularly featured in the league championship organized by the [[Football Delhi]] (FD).<ref>{{cite web|title=DSA Senior Division Open League begins Tuesday|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/DSA-Senior-Division-Open-League-begins-Tuesday/articleshow/18116612.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216065221/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-21/top-stories/36462157_1_ahbab-garhwal-heroes-air-force-new-delhi|url-status=live|archive-date=16 February 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 January 2013 |access-date=26 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballdelhi.com/division/all-clubs/|title=Football Delhi Senior Division League: All clubs|website=footballdelhi.com|access-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108022024/https://www.footballdelhi.com/division/all-clubs/|archive-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> One of the most memorable moments came in 1986, when GHFC were crowned the champions of the [[Delhi Football League|FD 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. GHFC won the FD 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|date=10 March 2013 |access-date=6 January 2020|archive-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315051727/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Garhwal-Heroes-to-meet-Goodwill-in-DSA-senior-division-league-final/articleshow/18885368.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Garhwal FC era (2013–present)===
In 2013, GHFC also won the Delhi leg of the [[Manchester United Premier Cup]], which is a nationwide U-16 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. They provide a pathway for player development to [[Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools]]. BBFS players will be able to further their football development by playing professionally. GFC finished runners up in All India Football Tournament in [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]].

In July 2021, Garhwal FC participated in the [[2021 Delhi 2nd Division Qualifiers|Delhi 2nd Division Qualifiers]] and moved through knockout stages from group A.<ref name="thefangarage">{{cite web|url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/18026-2nd-division-qualifiers-delhi--garwhal-heroes-sign-ansumana-kromah|title=2nd Division Qualifiers Delhi - Garwhal Heroes sign Ansumana Kromah|date=17 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718085946/https://thefangarage.com/articles/18026-2nd-division-qualifiers-delhi--garwhal-heroes-sign-ansumana-kromah|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="khelnow">{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/football-delhi-2nd-division-league-qualifiers-fixtures-results-standings|title=Football Delhi 2nd Division League Qualifiers 2021: Fixtures, results, standings & more|date=17 July 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717173244/https://khelnow.com/football/football-delhi-2nd-division-league-qualifiers-fixtures-results-standings|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theawayend">{{cite web|url=https://theawayend.co/delhi-dsa-senior-division-league/|title=Delhi (DSA) Senior Division League|access-date=17 July 2021|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102053854/https://theawayend.co/delhi-dsa-senior-division-league/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2023, the club earned an [[I-League 3]] spot to compete in the [[2023–24 I-League 3|inaugural edition]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=Major AIFF Decisions: 15 Clubs Nominated In 3rd Division; Youth Quota In I League Teams |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/19829-major-aiff-decisions-15-clubs-nominated-in-3rd-division-youth-quota-in-i-league-teams |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=thefangarage.com |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918105857/https://thefangarage.com/articles/19829-major-aiff-decisions-15-clubs-nominated-in-3rd-division-youth-quota-in-i-league-teams }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=AIFF League Committee: Youth quota for I-League, State FAs nominate 3rd Division League clubs |url=https://theawayend.co/2023/08/22/aiff-league-committee-youth-quota-i-league-state-fas-nominate-3rd-division-league-clubs/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=The Away End |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108050756/https://theawayend.co/2023/08/22/aiff-league-committee-youth-quota-i-league-state-fas-nominate-3rd-division-league-clubs/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Flavio |last1=Lopes |date=25 September 2023 |agency=TNN |location=Panaji |title=THIRD DIVISION: Dempo to play at home, Sporting away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/third-division-dempo-to-play-at-home-sporting-away/articleshow/103913923.cms |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928075342/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/third-division-dempo-to-play-at-home-sporting-away/articleshow/103913923.cms }}</ref>

==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 I-League Qualifiers]], 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|date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 February 2021|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417033952/https://thefangarage.com/articles/17667-i-league-qualifiers-2020-full-match--fc-bengaluru-united-beat-garhwal-fc-1-0|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Achievements==
Apart from being champions of the [[Delhi Football League|Delhi League]], 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]] in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102954722000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102143019/http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102954722000.htm|archive-date=2 November 2010|title=Garhwal Heroes stuns Sporting Clube de Goa|website=www.thehindu.com|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2021|location=[[New Delhi]]}}</ref>

==Tradition==

Historically, the [[Garhwal Kingdom]] in the [[Garhwal Himalaya]]s was established by King [[Kanak 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 Kingdom|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.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

Since its inception, GFC has always been a community-oriented club with most of its roster being local players. It enjoys support both 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=Footyshekkeer: Garhwal FC All set for I-League 2 |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>

==Club management==
{| class="toccolours"
|-
! style="background:silver;" |Role
! style="background:silver;" |Name
|-
|Honorary president||{{flagicon|IND}} Bhagwan Singh Negi
|-
|Treasurer||{{flagicon|IND}} Magan Singh Negi
|-
|Director||{{flagicon|IND}} Kishor Gam Taid
|-
|Assistant director||{{flagicon|IND}} Anurag Khilnani
|-
|Honorary vice president||{{flagicon|IND}} Sukhpal Singh Negi
|-
|Honorary secretary||{{flagicon|IND}} Anil Kumar Negi
|}

==Youth team==
Garhwal FC's U17 team competes in various regional and national youth tournaments, as well as [[Youth League (India)|Hero Youth League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/49-teams-to-participate-in-aiff-elite-youth-league-2022-23|title=49 teams to participate in AIFF Elite Youth League 2022–23|date=7 December 2022|access-date=28 January 2023|location=New Delhi|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=[[All India Football Federation]]|archive-date=8 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208054612/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/49-teams-to-participate-in-aiff-elite-youth-league-2022-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/quick-starts-watertight-defences-and-perfect-records-a-look-ahead-to-the-hero-u-17-youth-cup-final-round|title=Quick starts, watertight defences and perfect records: A look ahead to the Hero U-17 Youth Cup final round|date=18 January 2023|access-date=28 January 2023|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=[[All India Football Federation]]|first=Vaibhav|last=Raghunandan|location=New Delhi|archive-date=22 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122082038/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/quick-starts-watertight-defences-and-perfect-records-a-look-ahead-to-the-hero-u-17-youth-cup-final-round}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Domestic===
'''Senior'''
*'''[[Delhi Football League#Teams|Delhi Premier League/Delhi Senior Division]]'''
**Champions (4): 1986, [[2013 DSA Senior Division|2012–13]],<ref>[https://www.footballdelhi.com/ Delhi Senior Division Football League] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301125100/https://www.footballdelhi.com/ |date=1 March 2021 }} ''footballdelhi.com''. Retrieved 28 February 2021</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Arunava Chaudhary|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/dfl.html|title=List of Champions of the Delhi Football League (DSA Senior Division)|website=Indianfootball.de|publisher=Indian Football Network|access-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020501132122/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/dfl.html|archive-date=1 May 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2018–19,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi (DSA) Senior Division League|url=https://theawayend.co/delhi-dsa-senior-division-league/|access-date=2 November 2021|website=theawayend.co|publisher=The Away End|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102053854/https://theawayend.co/delhi-dsa-senior-division-league/|archive-date=2 November 2021}}</ref> 2023–24
**Runners-up (2): 1990, 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=India — List of Delhi League Champions|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/indiadelhichamp.html|date=2003|access-date=2021-12-18|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218121437/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiadelhichamp.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''[[Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup]]'''
**Champions (1): 1980<ref>{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/lalbahadurshastricup.html|title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup|website=indianfootball.de|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315014206/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/lalbahadurshastricup.html|archive-date=15 March 2016|publisher=Indian Football Network|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Runners-up (2): 1983, 2006
*'''[[Mohan Kumar Mangalam Football Tournament]]'''
**Champions (1): 1988<ref>{{cite web|url=https://udaipurtimes.com/sports/DFA-Udaipur-team-in-final-of-MKM-Football-2023/cid9845573.htm|title=DFA Udaipur enter finals of the MKM National Football Tournament for the first time in 43 years|date=29 January 2023|access-date=28 February 2023|website=udaipurtimes.com|publisher=Udaipur Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129144906/https://udaipurtimes.com/sports/DFA-Udaipur-team-in-final-of-MKM-Football-2023/cid9845573.htm|archive-date=29 January 2023}}</ref>
* '''Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Cup'''
**Champions (1): 2022–23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FootballDelhi/status/1724043197893288376|title=𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 🥇 Garhwal Heroes FC has won the 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗽 2023–24 🏆|website=Twitter.com|publisher=Sudeva Delhi Football Club|date=13 November 2023|access-date=14 November 2023|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20231114071145/https://twitter.com/FootballDelhi/status/1724043197893288376|archive-date=14 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Youth'''
*'''FD U-18 Youth League'''
**Third place (1): 2022–23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FootballDelhi/status/1612400866581151747|title=Football Delhi U-18 Youth League {{!}} Here's the table after the Final MatchDay of the 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐! 🔥|website=twitter.com (FootballDelhi)|publisher=Football Delhi|date=9 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110151601/https://twitter.com/FootballDelhi/status/1612400866581151747|archive-date=10 January 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Garhwal United FC]]
* [[List of football clubs in India]]
* [[Sport in Delhi]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Facebook|117414801685806}}
*{{Instagram|garhwalheroesfc}}
*{{Twitter|GarhwalFC}}
*[https://globalsportsarchive.com/team/soccer/garhwal-fc/18037/ Team info] at Global Sports Archive
*[https://www.the-aiff.com/club/10929 Garhwal FC] at ''[[All India Football Federation|the-aiff.com]]''

{{I-League 2nd Division}}

[[Category:Garhwal FC]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Delhi]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1953]]
[[Category:I-League 2 clubs]]
[[Category:I-League 3 clubs]]

Garhwal Heroes FC - Revision history

SidneyBecnel at 21:37, 27 March 2026