Kenkre FC

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Template:Infobox football club

Kenkre Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra.[1][2][3] Founded in 2000,[4] the club currently competes in the MFA Elite Division of Mumbai Football League. Nicknamed "Mumbaikars", they previously participated in the I-League, then highest division of the Indian football league system, as well as the I-League 2, and the I-League 3.[5][6] Kenkre was relegated to the I-League 2 at the end of the 2022–23 I-League season.[7]

History

Formation and journey

The club was founded on 13 January 2000 as Kenkre Academy FC,[8][9] under the patronage of former footballer and coach Adib Kenkre, and CEO Joshua Lewis.[10][11] Kenkre was based at Shivaji Park during its incorporation.[12]

Template:Cquote Kenkre FC were crowned champions of the Maharashtra Football League in 2010 for the first time in the club's history, after defeating Bengal Mumbai 3–0, thanks to goals from Nigerian striker Mathew Odje, Francisco Salin and Charanjeet Singh.[13] After achieving that result, Kenkre was granted admission into the I-League 2nd Division, then second-tier of Indian football.[14]

In March 2013, ahead of the I-League Second Division kick-off, Kenkre roped in Portuguese Jose Luis Lopes Da Costa as head coach and brought three of their first foreigners, Portuguese Rodilson Felisberto Fernandes Dias, Domingo De Jesus Gomes, Bruno Daniel Alciaes, and Australian Daniel Atkins.[15]

2020–present

In December 2021, the AIFF club licensing committee has unanimously decided to not grant the exemption sought by former I-League champion Chennai City FC, after having failed to receive the ICLS licence.[16] As a result, Kenkre replaced them in the 2021–22 I-League.[17][18][19] In June 2021, Akhil Kothari, India's youngest AFC A license holder, as new head coach of Kenkre.[20] The club began their league journey on 4 March 2022 against Real Kashmir with earning a historic point in the 1–1 draw.[21] Kenkre finished bottom after the phrase 1 and was placed in relegation stage. They achieved 12 points and got relegated to the 2022–23 I-League 2nd Division.[22][23]

After being relegated at the end of the season, Kenkre was reinstated on sympathetic grounds and allowed to participate in the 2022–23 I-League season.[24][25] The club later participated in Baji Raut Cup in Odisha,[26] in which they reached semi-finals.[27] After struggling since beginning of the 2022–23 league season, Kenkre along with Sudeva Delhi, relegated from I-League.[28][29][30][31] The 2023–24 I-League 2 season became disastrous to Kenkre as the club ended their campaign with bottom place finish with 9 points in 14 matches, and relegated to I-League 3.[32][33][34] In 2024–25 season, the club along with its fellow Mumbai-based team Maharashtra Oranje, took part in I-League 3.[35]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2021–2023 Hummel[36] Kenkre Sports Foundation[37]
2024–present KING

Stadium

File:Cooperage Football Ground.jpg
Cooperage Football Ground before renovation

Cooperage Ground in Nariman Point, Mumbai, serves as the home ground of Kenkre.[38][39] It has artificial turf and has a seating capacity of 5,000.[40][41] The club qualified for the I-League in 2021,[42] but due to COVID-19 pandemic in India, league format was shortened and matches were played in few centralised venues.[43] As the league came back with home-away format, Kenkre played its first home match at the Cooperage Ground against Churchill Brothers on 24 November 2022.[43]

In later years, the club used Neville D'Souza Turf in Bandra for Mumbai Premier League matches.[44] Ahead of the 2023–24 I-League 2, the club announced AIFF Centre of Excellence ground in Kharghar as their home venue.[45]

Personnel

Current technical staff

Template:Updated

Role Name
Head coach Template:Flagicon Abdul Siddique
Assistant coach Template:Flagicon Deepak Dattu Kamble
Team manager Template:Flagicon Vishal Patel
Team doctor Template:Flagicon Prasad Risaldar
Team analyst Template:Flagicon Nilesh Pal

Management

As of December 2022

President Template:Flagicon Adib Krishna Sinai Kenkre
Chief Executive Officer Template:Flagicon Joshua K.Lewis
Team photographer Template:Flagicon Pravin Saru
Operations & accreditions Template:Flagicon Christopher Shriodkar
Logistics Template:Flagicon Shouvik Das

Statistics and records

Season League
League Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Points Position
2011 I-League 2 II 6 3 1 2 14 11 10 Group Stage
2012 7 2 1 4 2 16 7 Group Stage
2013 8 3 3 2 12 10 12 Group Stage
2014 4 0 0 4 1 12 0 Group Stage
2015 14 3 1 10 21 39 10 7th
2015–16 8 1 3 4 6 11 6 Group Stage
2016–17 16 4 5 7 18 24 17 6th
2021 7 3 3 1 6 4 12 2nd Template:Rise
2021–22 I-League I 17 3 3 11 11 25 12 13th
2022–23 II 22 3 8 11 23 40 17 11th Template:Fall
2021–22 I-League 2 III 14 3 0 11 17 34 9 8th Template:Fall

Honours

League

Cup

Women

Notable players

Past and present internationals

Managerial history

Other departments

Women's section

Kenkre has its women's team which played in the Indian Women's League, the top flight of Women's football league system organised by the All India Football Federation.[63][64][65][66] They also participate in WIFA Women's Football League.[67][68] The club clinched WIFA Women's Football League title in 2019–20.[50] Kenkre is also a one time champion in the MFA Women's Football League, title being clinched in the 2023–24 season.[51]

Youth and academy

Since the inception of Kenkre, the club kept focus on nurturing youth talents and running academies.[42][69] The club runs eight academies with more than a thousand kids enrolled before the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[42] Club's U17 team, which was managed by both Floyd Pinto and Akhil Kothari, previously participated in the MSSA (Mumbai Schools Sports Association) tournaments.[70] The club also took an initiative of grassroots development, organizing 'Go Green Cup' (with six categories including U-17, U-14, U-12, U-10, U-8 and open-age group of girls) in 2015, at the Don Bosco Grounds in Matunga.[71] They also organized 'Kenkre Champions League', another academy-based tournament, in Mumbai.[72][73]

Club's U-19 team participated in Maharashtra zone of 2014 I-League U19.[74] The U17 team later took part in group stages of 2022–23 U-17 Youth Cup.[75][76] The U19 team also participates in MDFA Super Division League.[77][78] Club's U17 team has also competed in MFA Third Division league.[79]

See also

Template:Portal bar

Footnotes

Template:Cnote2 Begin Template:Cnote2 Template:Cnote2 End

References

  1. ↑ Gritty LoneStar Kashmir FC thwart spirited Kenkre FC. footballcounter.com(16 November 2015). Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  2. ↑ I-League Division 2 : Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai Tigers Start As Favorites. thehardtackle.com(29 March 2013). Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Kenkre F.C. Academy. Khelnow.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  4. ↑ India – List of Foundation Dates, Schöggl, Hans. RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  5. ↑ I-League 2022–23: Sudeva Delhi to start their season campaign against Kenkere FC. www.daijiworld.com. DaijiWorld(2022-11-13). Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  6. ↑ In the last matchday of the I-League season, teams compete for improved Super Cup qualifying ranking, Tarafdar, Veronica. footballexpress.in. Football Express India(30 March 2023). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Ozone squander lead to go down to Kenkre. timesofindia.indiatimes.com(21 January 2017). Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  8. ↑ Will go the extra mile to promote local talent – Joshua Lewis, CEO – Kenkre FC, Bangde, Arjun. Football Counter(2021-09-15). Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  9. ↑ Team Profile — Kenkre FC. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Adib Kenkre & football — A match made in heaven, Mukherjee, Soham. Goal.com(26 December 2019). Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Kenkre FC's I-League dreams: 21 years in the making, Dias, Anil. freepressjournal.in. The Free Press Journal(8 December 2021). Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Kenkre FC: Made in Maharashtra & ready to conquer India. Goal.com(8 December 2021). Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  13. ↑ India — List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions. RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  14. ↑ kolkatafootball.com. kolkatafootball.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mumbai's Kenkre FC name squad for 2nd Division I-League, Chaudhuri, Arunava. sportskeeda.com. Sportskeeda(5 March 2013). Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  16. ↑ I-LEAGUE: Introducing shirt sponsors of every I-league club for 2021-22 season, Zaidi, Waseem. www.khelnow.com. Khel Now(21 January 2022). Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  17. ↑ AIFF bars Chennai City from I-League 2021-22, names Kenkre as replacement. sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar(4 December 2021). Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  18. ↑ Kenkre FC is all set to join I-League as Chennai City FC gets barred. thebridge.in. The Bridge(4 December 2021). Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  19. ↑ I-League 2021-22 to be held in Kolkata: Everything you need to know, Noronha, Anselm. Goal.com(26 June 2021). Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 We will be more competitive this season, says Mumbai Kenkre FC head coach Akhil Kothari. i-league.org(13 November 2022). Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ↑ Real Kashmir and Kenkre FC play out thrilling 1-1 draw, Media Team, AIFF. www.the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation(4 March 2022). Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  22. ↑ I-League 2022: Kenkre FC relegated after Indian Arrows stab home a late winner, Guha, Sayantan. www.sportskeeda.com. Sportskeeda(4 May 2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  23. ↑ Kenkre FC suffer relegation. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India(4 May 2022). Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  24. ↑ AIFF set to ban foreign players from lower leagues, Mergulhao, Marcus. timesofindia.indiatimes.com(27 September 2022). Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  25. ↑ Six foreigners recommended for matchday squads as I-League returns on Oct 29, Mukherjee, Sayan. www.news9live.com(27 September 2022). Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  26. ↑ Baji Rout Cup: Pradhan attends inaugural match between Odisha & Mumbai Kenkre FC. argusnews.in. Argus News(3 November 2022). Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  27. ↑ FULL MATCH – Baji Rout Cup semis – Churchill Brothers bulldoze Kenkre FC in 5 goal haul. thefangarage.com(6 November 2022). Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  28. ↑ TRAU aim for full points vs relegated Mumbai Kenkre, Media Team, AIFF. i-league.org(5 March 2023). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  29. ↑ RoundGlass Punjab FC wins I-League title, gains ISL promotion. sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar(4 March 2023). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  30. ↑ RoundGlass Punjab clinch historic I-league title. Rediff.com(4 March 2023). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  31. ↑ Roundglass Punjab FC: The first I-League side to be promoted to the Indian Super League, T, Veronica. footballexpress.in. Football Express(16 March 2023). Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  32. ↑ I-LEAGUE 2 2023/2024 — Table (final standings). int.soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  33. ↑ Dempo SC return to I-League after nine years. khelnow.com. Khel Now News(27 April 2024). Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  34. ↑ 16 tournaments, 11,000 players: A hectic 2023–24 domestic season with class and character. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation(18 June 2024). Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  35. ↑ I-League 2 2024–25: Newly promoted SAT Tirur face familiar foes KLASA FC in season-opener. Khel Now(24 October 2024). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  36. ↑ Kenkre FC announce tie-up with Hummel India as official kit partner, Shetty, Chittu. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(4 October 2021). Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  37. ↑ I-LEAGUE: Introducing shirt sponsors of every I-league club for 2021–22 season, Zaidi, Waseem. khelnow.com. Khel Now(21 January 2022). Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  38. ↑ Kenkre FC split points with Lonestar Kashmir in 1–1 draw. www.footballcounter.com. Football Counter(20 April 2017). Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  39. ↑ 10-men Kenkre FC pay the penalty as they slump to a 1–0 defeat, Bhutkar, Prasad. footballcounter.com. Football Counter India(13 April 2017). Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  40. ↑ FIFA sanctions 2 million grant for Cooperage. dnaindia.com(15 April 2011). Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  41. ↑ A Shot in the arm for Cooperage Ground(11 June 2011). Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Newcomers Kenkre FC put Mumbai back on the I-League map, Mehta, Rutvick. hindustantimes.com. Hindustan Times(25 December 2021). Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Mumbai Kenkre gear up for homecoming, Churchill Brothers seek first win, Media Team, AIFF. i-league.org. Hero I-League(23 November 2022). Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  44. ↑ Mumbai Premier League 2023–24: Mumbai's Best Teams Ready to Compete. footballcounter.com. Football Counter India(29 October 2023). Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  45. ↑ I-League 2 Set to Kick Off Exciting 2023-24 Season with 8 Clubs in the Fray. en.bongfootball.in. Bong Football News(8 January 2024). Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  46. ↑ "If you want a future for yourself, fight and take it" – The story behind Rajasthan United's I-League fairytale, Menon, Anirudh. espn.com. ESPN(27 October 2021). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  47. ↑ Rajasthan United FC Crowned Champions of the I-League Qualifiers 2021. News18(2021-10-23). Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  48. ↑ MDFA distribute trophies for Season 2019-20, Majumder, Rounak. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(24 November 2020). Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  49. ↑ India — List of Nadkarni Cup Finals, Morrison, Neil. RSSSF. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Unbeaten Kenkre FC win WIFA Women's League. freepressjournal.in. Free Press Journal(27 December 2019). Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Kenkre FC Women Emerged as a Champion of WPL. footballmfa.com. Mumbai Football Association(6 October 2023). Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  52. ↑ Kenkre FC — Players from A–Z. WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  53. ↑ Mumbai FC rope in Orok Essien, Bali, Rahul. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  54. ↑ Indian league is goldmine – Orok Orok Essien, Ogunyale, Bunmi. Soccer Star NG(12 April 2013). Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  55. ↑ The player represented Nigeria U23 national team: Indian football transfers: Minerva Punjab FC rope in Sergio Barboza Jr and Orok Essien in a double deal, Mullick, Sounak. Sportskeeda.com(10 August 2019). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  56. ↑ Chimodzi, Young Jr. national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  57. ↑ Kenkre FC geared up to make winning start. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(8 April 2017). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  58. ↑ Lot of the credit for those clean sheets goes to my teammates – Kenkre FC Goalkeeper Tenzin Samdup, Bangde, Arjun. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(11 November 2021). Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  59. ↑ Anjan Bista Signs For I-League Side Mumbai Kenkre FC. goalnepal.com. Goal Nepal(21 January 2023). Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  60. ↑ NFT player — National team & Club appearances: Anjan Bista, Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  61. ↑ Atharva Rewale's late strike secures crucial point for Kenkre FC against Klasa FC(7 September 2024). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  62. ↑ I-League 2: Kenkre FC 3–5 Sudeva Delhi FC (11 April 2024)(11 April 2024). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  63. ↑ IWL 2020: FC Kolhapur City defeat Baroda Football Academy for first win, Kenkre FC inch closer to SF. Scroll.in(3 February 2020). Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  64. ↑ IWL 2020: Kenkre FC, Baroda FA cruise to big wins, Achal, Ashwin. sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar(25 January 2020). Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  65. ↑ IWL 2020: Kenkre FC, defending champions Sethu FC qualify for semi-finals. Scroll.in(6 February 2020). Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  66. ↑ Gokulam Kerala FC embarrass Kenkre FC 10–1 in Indian Women's League, TOI, Press Trust of India. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India(28 January 2020). Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  67. ↑ PIFA Win WIFA Women's League Title, Qualifies For IWL – Final Round. WIFA(10 February 2022). Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  68. ↑ Priyanka strikes brace as Mumbai Knights lift WIFA Women's League title, Shetty, Chittu. Football Counter(30 September 2022). Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  69. ↑ True Colours. mumbaimirror.com(24 July 2010). Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  70. ↑ All you need to know about new entrant Kenkre FC, Sarkar, Sattyik. khelnow.com. Khel Now(28 December 2021). Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  71. ↑ Over 600 kids to 'Go Green' as Kenkre FC's initiative shows plenty of promise. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(22 February 2015). Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  72. ↑ Kenkre – 'Go Green' Cup 2017 (Day 1). footballcounter.com. Football Counter(6 March 2017). Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  73. ↑ Kenkre Champions League (KCL) – Day 1. footballcounter.com. Football Counter(10 January 2017). Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  74. ↑ KENKRE FC UNDER 19 — Matches — U19 I-League. int.soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  75. ↑ 49 teams to participate in AIFF Elite Youth League 2022–23. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation(7 December 2022). Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  76. ↑ Quick starts, watertight defences and perfect records: A look ahead to the Hero U-17 Youth Cup final round, Raghunandan, Vaibhav. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation(18 January 2023). Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  77. ↑ MFA announce teams for Super Division. Football Counter(4 November 2021). Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  78. ↑ MFA announce teams for Super Division, Shetty, Chittu. Football Counter(2021-11-04). Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  79. ↑ Mumbai Marines FC go through to the semifinals 4—1 on penalties. footballmfa.com(28 June 2022). Retrieved 30 October 2023.

Further reading

Bibliography

  • India's Football Dream{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. SAGE Publications India(4 February 2019). ISBN 9789353283063
  • THE BEST WAY FORWARD FOR INDIA'S FOOTBALL{{#if:Shreekumar|, Shreekumar}. HSRA Publications(15 August 2020). ISBN 9788194721697

Other sources

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