Air India FC

Formation and journey

Founded in 1952 in Bombay, Air India Football Club is one of the oldest institutional sides in the country. Since then, they became affiliated with Western India Football Association (WIFA). Though never considered as frontrunners in the I-League, the Mumbai-based club has often proved to be a thorn in the flesh for many top sides.

In leagues of Mumbai

Since their inception, Air India became a member of WIFA and later in 1983, became affiliated with Mumbai District Football Association (formerly BDFA). Nicknamed "the pilots", Air India participated in later editions of Bombay Harwood League alongside Maharashtra Football League.

They participated in B.D.F.A League, and W.I.F.A. Super Division from 1990 to 1999 and clinched WIFA title in 1999.

Air India also participated in MDFA Elite Division, and lifted trophies in 2009–10, 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2016–17 season. They also won Harwood league in 2000 and 2005.

National Football League seasons

They used to play in the NFL 2nd Division but got promoted to Premier Division and have maintained their position there until the formation of I-League. Generally a low budget side, Air India's best finish in the National Football League came in the 1997–1998 season, when they were placed sixth in the table and their coach Bimal Ghosh received the Best coach award.

Air India had been playing in the Premier Harwood League since 1980. Though it, they qualified for the National Football League in 1995. In the first season of NFL 1996, they finished 6th on the table and then 5th in 1997. After being relegated to the second division in 1998, Air India paved their way back into the first division the next year and played in the National Football League in 2000 as well. The years 2001 to 2004 saw Air India going through a tough phase as they were playing in the second division. In 2005 the team qualified to the National Football League first division and then 2007 saw Air India finishing 7th and were the Mumbai Harwood Champions in 2005. In 1996, they emerged as the champions of Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and they lifted the trophy again in 2006. The club also hosted an inter-club tournament named "Air-India Millenium Cup" at the Air-India Colony Grounds, in Kalina, Mumbai, from 2000 to 2005 – in which they clinched title on four occasions.

Present years

Air India became part of the I-League since the inaugural edition. In 2008, they created history by winning the EK Nayanar Gold Cup, defeating three visiting foreign teams – Associação Ferroviária de Esportes of Brazil, Bayelsa FC of Nigeria and Buenos Aires De Futbal of Argentina. Interestingly Bayelsa won Nigerian Professional Football League and reached semi-finals of African Confederations Cup once. Other than Mohun Bagan A.C. (1911 IFA Shield) and East Bengal FC (ASEAN Club Championship), no other Indian club has defeated so many foreign teams to win a single tournament.

In 2012 Durand Cup, the club emerged as the champions, which was their last trophy. On 25 February 2012, it was announced that parent company Air India do not have any plans on fulfilling the AFC Criteria required to play in the league and thus may fold the club by the end of the 2011–12 I-League season. Anthony Fernandes was appointed as interim head coach on 30 December 2012 after Godfrey Pereira was revealed to be away from the team due to salary issues. On 2 January 2013, it was confirmed that Pereira had left his post, when Air India played against Salgaocar at Duler Stadium in I-League in which, and lost the match 4–0. They came back to I-League, participating in the 2012–13 I-League season. On 7 April 2013, they played against Mumbai F.C. and lost 3–1. They earned 26 points in 19 league matches and finished on thirteenth position.

The club later confirmed their inability to field team for the 2013–14 I-League, and financial reasons were main factors behind it.