United Kurseong FC- An Untold Story

This article was originally written for the indianfootball.com in August 2009

Long before the rest of India realized the importance of identifying the clubs with the city where they are based. Long before clubs like Mumbai FC, Pune FC and New Delhi Heroes were launched with this vision. In a small town of Kurseong in the West Bengal’s Darjeeling district way back in the year 1989 a club was launched by Late Chand Pradhan with a following name, United Kurseong Football Club. Showing in this process what visionary he was, although from a small town he thought of a concept which the rest of the country thought about, years later. Although the Club is not known at the National level, it has been a force to be reckoned with in the whole of North Bengal and Sikkim.UKFC is a household name in this part of the world. In the year 1997 the club officials claim that the team won almost all the tournaments that they entered. They have also won all the tournaments in this region over the years, which have made them one of the most successful clubs of the region.

                

With the aim to involve itself with the community service in future and in that process broaden its base, the club has adopted a secondary full form, where U stands for Unity, K-Kindness, F-Friendship and C- Co-operation.

UKFC has also produced many talented players in its two decades of existence, the notable amongst them are Crispin Chettri who went on to represent India in the under-19 Asian Youth Championship held in Sri Lanka in the year 1999-2000.Along with that he has played for various national level clubs of India. East Bengal and Pune FC have also availed his services. Currently he is with the Kolkata Premier Division side Tollygunge Agragami.Jiten Rai who played for New Delhi Heroes last season is another player who has tasted success.Jiten has played for a number of leading clubs over the years like East Bengal Mohammedan Sporting and Air India. Dinker Chettri was another well known player from the Club although he could not make it big at the national level he is an icon for the budding players in the hills.Dinker used play as a midfielder and was known for his dribbling and defence splitting through passes only god knows why he was not able to play for any big clubs of the country. Now he has retired form the game and is involved with the United Kurseong Football Club management.

The philosophy at UKFC is that even if the club fails to turn their players into successful professional footballers they should atleast succeeded in making them a good human being and help them find decent jobs. Many boys from UKFC have joined the defence forces and equal number of them is in the police. Though they could not make it big as footballers they have never regretted playing the beautiful game.

UKFC in the present times have gone down a bit but the effort to reach its former glory, or even to surpass it, is in full swing with all the ex-players getting involved. The club also has an under-19 team along with an under 16 side which is known as future hope. The club is also trying hard to find itself a sponsor to sustain itself. There is also a plan to launch its own website in the near future, which will make it the first club with a website in the region. The lack of sponsor is the major problem which the club faces. Till now the club has run on donations collected from its supporters and some entrepreneurs in the region.Chetan Tiwari and Ravi Subba Principals of two well known Public schools of Kurseong along with Raja Banerjee owner of the Makaibari Tea Estate has always helped the club in the times of need.

The UKFC management has big plans for the future. They want to become the next club from this region to qualify for the I-League after Shillong Lajong FC and the preprations have already begun. The executive committee meeting of the club is salted to be held in September which is expected to pass this ambitious plan.

Photograph Courtesy- Keshav Tamang