Continuing the Legacy

To quench the appetite of football fans to identify with the team, Kingfisher East Bengal as the first football club in India had launched a number of merchandising items, which took Calcutta by storm during the Durga Puja celebrations since 2001.

On July 26, 2003 - Kingfisher East Bengal wrote a golden chapter in the history of Indian Football by becoming the first club in Indian Football to win a prestigious International tournament abroad by winning the ASEAN CUP at Jakarta, Indonesia. It was a historic moment for Kingfisher East Bengal and the red & golds did India and Indian football proud by its stupendous achievement.

Kingfisher East Bengal won the National Football League title in 2000-01 and even became the first club in India to win back to back National Football League titles in 2003 and 2004.

In 2004 Kingfisher East Bengal was invited to the tournament by Leicester City Football Club of England celebrating  LCFC's 120th Anniversary. During that tournament in England it was a grand honour for Kingfisher East Bengal Football Club to be invited to the House of Commons and welcomed by non other than the then – Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Prescott.

On 15th April, 2007,  FIFA President Mr. Joseph S. Blatter visited the East Bengal Club Tent on his historic official visit to the Club to discover India’s pride – East Bengal Club where the football tradition is very strong, with enormous Fan base around the world.

In June 2007 the Club’s U-15 football team qualified for the Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals which was held on August 2007. In the World Finals the U-15 team got a word of praise from English legend Sir Bobby Charlton. The English legend commented, “I saw a few matches, including one featuring this Indian side. They had certain handicaps but what struck me was their stomach for fight, which was astounding. It was really impressive to see how eager they were for a fight.”

If inspiration is needed it should come in the colours of red and gold that graced a field in distant Jordan on April 2, 2008. Kingfisher East Bengal’s victory over Al Wihdat, Jordan on that day was the first by an Indian Club in the West Asia in any tournament.

The Club won the prestigious Federation Cup in 2007, 2009, 2010 & 2012 and also won the Super Cup in 2006 & 2011. They also won the IFA Shield thrice in a row (2000, 2001, 2002) and again in 2012 & Durand Cup twice (2002, 2004) during this period.

In the third quarter of the year 2012, the Club created another history as Kingfisher East Bengal became the first Indian team to qualify for the prestigious AFC Cup four years in a row -- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

The Red & Gold journey which started in 1920 is continuing the legacy and the future appears bright with the club aims to scale new heights and achieve new landmarks to make Indian Football proud.

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