Rovers Cup
2nd Battalion of Middlesex Regiment after winning the Rovers Cup in 1926
Organising bodyWestern India Football Association (WIFA)
Founded1890 (1890)
Abolished2001 (2001)
RegionIndia
Last championsMohun Bagan (14th title)
Most successful club(s)Mohun Bagan (14 titles)[1]

The Rovers Cup was an annual football tournament held in India, organized by the Western India Football Association.[2][3] Incorporated in 1890, it was the third oldest tournament in India after Trades Cup.[4][5][6]

History

Rovers Cup was incorporated by some British football enthusiasts in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, in 1890, as a form of amusement. After the foundation of Bombay Football Association (BFA) in 1902, the tournament became well organized. Patronised by Justice Russell, the tournament was firstly opened to British teams.[7] Later in 1911, Western India Football Association was founded as a result of merger between BFA and Rovers Cup Committee.[8][7] After justice Russel became president and P. R. Cadell became vice-president of WIFA, Indian clubs were given opportunity to participate, and Bengal United (a squad formed with Indian soldiers serving in British battalions) became first Indian team to compete.[7] The tournament was suspended from 1914 to 1920 due to the World War I. Some legendary players from Great Britain, including Arsenal winger Denis Compton, Scottish international Tommy Walker and English international Bobby Langton appeared in the tournament in mid-20th century with visiting overseas teams.[7]

The First Worcester Regiment became first team to clinch the title. Mohun Bagan became the first non-army civilian club in the tournament to compete in 1923 and achieved runners-up position, after their 4–1 defeat to Durham Light Infantry.[7] Mohammedan Sporting from Calcutta became the first Indian club to win title, when they defeated Bangalore Muslims 1–0 in 1940.[9] Mohammedan later won 1956, 1959, 1980, 1984 and 1987 editions.[10] In the 1950s, Syed Abdul Rahim managed Hyderabad City Police formed their supremacy,[11] winning Rovers Cup consecutively from 1950 to 1954.[12][13] In modern era, Iraqi club Salahaddin became the first foreign side to win trophy, when they defeated Mohammedan Sporting 2–1 in 1982. In 1958, Caltex Sports Club had the honor of becoming the first local team to win it, and Bengal Mumbai is the last local team to win title.[14] The championship was last time held in the 2000–01 season, when Mohun Bagan beat Churchill Brothers by 2–0 in the final.

After the inception of the National Football League, the Rovers Cup started facing problems. With huge costs and sponsorship deals issues, the tournament was finally dissolved in 2001. In 2007, the WIFA announced that they were making attempts to revive the tournament.[15]

Venue

The primary venue of the tournament was Cooperage Ground in Bombay (now Mumbai).[7][16] The stadium, built over hundred years ago, hosted each and every edition of the tournament.[17]

Results

Pre-independence era (1890–1947)

Year Winners Score Runners-up Notes
1890 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 2–0 United Kingdom Band & Drums of the Worcestershire Regiment
1891 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
1892 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 4–1 British Raj Bombay Rovers Club
1893 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers –
1894 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots – United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1895 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots 3–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment
1896 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry –
1897 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
1898 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry –
1899 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment 3–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
1900 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Black Watch 2–1 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry
1901 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry
1902 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
1903 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 3–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots
1904 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 2–1 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
1905 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders 1–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
1906 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots 1–1, 0–0, 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment
1907 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment 3–0 United Kingdom 6th Battalion, Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
1908 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots
1909 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 5–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
1910 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
1911 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1912 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment 0–0, 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
1913 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Royal Scots 1–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
1914–20 Tournament not held, due to World War I
1921 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry 1–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
1922 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry 3–1 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry
1923 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry 4–1 British Raj Mohun Bagan [18]
1924 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment 0–0, 2–1 (a.e.t.) United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Royal Scots
1925 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment 2–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment
1926 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment 4–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
1927 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 4–1 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
1928 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2–0 United Kingdom 1st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
1929 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 4–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1930 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers 2–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1931 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment 2–1 United Kingdom 16th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
1932 United Kingdom Royal Irish Fusiliers 3–1 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1933 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) 1–1, 2–2, 1–0 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
1934 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters 6–1 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
1935 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) 2–1 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
1936 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) 2–0 United Kingdom 1st Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry
1937 British Raj Bangalore Muslims FC 1–0 British Raj Mohammedan Sporting
1938 British Raj Bangalore Muslims FC 3–2 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
1939 United Kingdom 28th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 2–0 British Raj Howrah District XI
1940 British Raj Mohammedan Sporting 1–0 British Raj Bangalore Muslims FC
1941 United Kingdom 2nd Battalion, Welch Regiment 2–0 British Raj Mohammedan Sporting
1942 British Raj Bata Sports Club 3–1 British Raj Western India Automobile Association Staff
1943 United Kingdom Royal Air Force 5–0 British Raj Bombay City Police
1944 United Kingdom British Base Reinforcement Camp 3–1 British Raj Western India Automobile Association Staff
1945 British Raj Corps of Military Police 0–0, 3–1 British Raj Albert David XI (Calcutta)
1946 United Kingdom British Base Reinforcement Camp 2–1 British Raj Tata Sports Club
1947 Tournament abandoned when the stands collapsed during the quarterfinal 1

Post-independence era (1948–2001)

Year Winners Score Runners-up Notes
1948 Bangalore Muslims FC 1–0 Mohun Bagan
1949 East Bengal 3–0 East Indian Railway
1950 Hyderabad City Police 1–0 Aryan FC
1951 Hyderabad City Police 2–0 WIMCO (Western India Match Company, Madras)
1952 Hyderabad City Police 0–0, 1–0 Bombay Amateurs
1953 Hyderabad City Police 2–0 Bangalore Muslims FC
1954 Hyderabad City Police 2–1 Pakistan Keamari Union (Karachi)
1955 Mohun Bagan 2–0 Mohammedan Sporting [19]
1956 Mohammedan Sporting 3–1 Mohun Bagan
1957 Hyderabad City Police 3–0 Mohammedan Sporting
1958 Caltex Club (Bombay) 3–2 Mohammedan Sporting
1959–60 Mohammedan Sporting 0–0, 3–0 East Bengal
1960 Andhra Pradesh Police 1–0 (a.e.t.) East Bengal
1961–62 Elec. & Mech. Engineering Centre 1–0 Mohun Bagan
1962 Andhra Pradesh Police and East Bengal (joint winners) – 1–1, 1–1 2
1963–64 Andhra Pradesh Police 1–0 East Bengal
1964–65 Bengal Nagpur Railway 1–1, 1–0 Mohun Bagan [20]
1965 Mafatlal Mills (Bombay) 1–0 Mohun Bagan
1966–67 Mohun Bagan 1–0 Vasco SC
1967 East Bengal 0–0, 2–0 Mohun Bagan
1968 Mohun Bagan 0–0, 3–0 Leader FC (Jalandhar)
1969 East Bengal 3–0 Mohun Bagan
1970–71 Mohun Bagan 0–0, 1–0 Mahindra United FC
1971–72 Mohun Bagan 1–0 Vasco SC
1972–73 Mohun Bagan and East Bengal (joint winners) – 0–0, 0–0 (a.e.t.) 3 [21]
1973–74 East Bengal 3–2 Tata Sports Club
1974–75 Dempo SC 0–1, 1–0 Tata Sports Club 4
1975–76 East Bengal 1–0 Mafatlal Group
1976 Mohun Bagan 0–0, 1–0 Mafatlal Group
1977 Mohun Bagan 0–0, 2–1 Tata Sports Club
1978–79 Dempo SC 2–1 Orkay Mills
1979–80 Dempo SC 2–0 JCT FC
1980 Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal (joint winners) – 1–1 (a.e.t.) 5
1981 Mohun Bagan 2–0 Mohammedan Sporting
1982 Iraq Salahaddin FC 2–1 Mohammedan Sporting
1983 Iraq Al-Jaish Army SC 2–1 Mohammedan Sporting
1984 Mohammedan Sporting 1–0 JCT FC
1985 Mohun Bagan 2–0 Salgaocar FC [22]
1986 Dempo SC 2–0 Mohun Bagan
1987 Mohammedan Sporting 2–0 Mohun Bagan
1988 Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal
1989–90 Salgaocar FC 1–0 Dempo SC [23]
1990 East Bengal 1–0 Mahindra United FC [24]
1991 Mohun Bagan 1–0 Mohammedan Sporting
1992 Mohun Bagan 2–0 JCT FC
1993 Mahindra United FC 0–0 (3–0 p) Bank of India (Mumbai) 6
1994 East Bengal 2–1 Air India FC
1995 Oman Oman Club 2–0 Sesa Sports Club
1996 Salgaocar FC 1–0 Air India FC [25]
1997 JCT FC 1–0 Churchill Brothers
1998 Bengal Mumbai FC 3–0 Central Railway SC [26]
1999 Salgaocar FC 1–0 Churchill Brothers [27]
2000–01 Mohun Bagan 2–0 Churchill Brothers

Notes:

1. ^ The tournament was abandoned when the stands collapsed during the quarterfinal between Mohun Bagan and 1st Bn, South Staffordshire Regiment
2. ^ Joint winners after replay
3. ^ Joint winners after replay
4. ^ Replay after first match was abandoned at 84', with the score at 0–1, as Dempo refused to continue after having a goal disallowed
5. ^ Joint winners
6. ^ Penalty shootout

Performance by teams

Performance by Indian teams

During its initial years, only British teams contested in the tournament. Mohun Bagan AC was the first Indian team to participate in this tournament on invitation in 1923, but they lost in the finals to Durham Light Infantry by 1–4 margin. The first Indian team to win this tournament was Bangalore Muslims, in 1937.[28]

Statistics: Teams with at least 2 wins, (including joint wins)[28]

# Club Wins Last Win Runners-up Last Runners-up
1 Mohun Bagan AC 14 2000–01 10 1987
2 East Bengal Club 10[29] 1994 4 1988
3 Hyderabad City Police 9 1963 1 1943
4 Mohammedan SC 6 1987 9 1991
5 Dempo SC 4[30] 1986 1 1989
6 Bangalore Muslims 3 1948 2 1953
7 Salgaocar SC 3 1999 1 1985

Performance by overseas teams

Overseas teams had often been invited to participate in Rovers Cup.

Winners

Runners-up

  • Pakistan Kemari Union FC (1954)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mohun Bagan Trophy room". themohunbaganac.com. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Chittu Shetty (11 August 2019). "Why this would be the right time to bring back 'Rovers Cup'". footballcounter.com. Football Counter. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Vaz, Armstrong (2 August 2011). "'Institutional Clubs will die a slow death'". indianfootballnetwork.com. India Footy (Indian Football Network). Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  4. ↑ Banerjee, Ankan (25 March 2015). "The Introduction of Football in Colonial Calcutta — Part 1". footballcounter.com. Kolkata: Football Counter. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Regionalism and club domination: Growth of rival centres of footballing excellence". Soccer & Society. Taylor & Francis. 6:2–3 (2–3): 227–256. 6 August 2006. doi:10.1080/14660970500106410. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Alam, Dhrubo (16 July 2018). "Kick, Score, Scream! The History of Football in Dhaka". Dhaka: Ice Today. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nirwane, Sarwadnya (18 January 2022). "Rovers Cup — the second oldest Football tournament in India". thesportslite.com. Mumbai: The Sports Lite. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Western India Football Association profile and leagues". wifa.in. Western India Football Football Association. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  9. ↑ Chakrabarty, Kushal (12 July 2012). "Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata: A New Horizon". kolkatafootball.com. Kolkata Football. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Hoque, Elis (19 July 2019). "হারিয়ে যাওয়া মোহামেডানীদের সালতামামি…" [Diary of the lost stars of Mohammedan]. onnodristy.com (in Bengali). Dhaka: Onno Dristi Bangla. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  11. ↑ Banerjee, Ritabrata (25 April 2020). "Down the memory lane: The fascinating story of Hyderabad City Police club". www.goal.com. Goal. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Sengupta, Somnath (13 July 2011). "Tactical Evolution of Indian Football (Part Two): Revolution Under Rahim Saab". thehardtackle.com. Kolkata: The Hard Tackle. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  13. ↑ Nizamuddin, Mohammed (14 July 2018). "Old-timers recollect past glory of city football". Hyderabad, Telangana: The Hans India. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "Team info: Bengal Mumbai Football Club". globalsportsarchive.com. Global Sports Archive. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "WIFA making attempt to revive Rovers Cup". Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  16. ↑ Chaudhuri, Samareh (2 August 2020). "'ভয় পামু ক্যান, চল গোল দিয়া আসি'" ["Can't we be afraid, let's come with goals"]. anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Kolkata: Anandabazar Patrika. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  17. ↑ Caless, Kit (19 February 2017). "クリケットの街から眺めるインドサッカー界の未来" [The future of Indian football seen from the city of cricket]. vice.com (in Japanese). Vice Japan. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "Gostha Pal – IFAWB: biography". ifa.org. Indian Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  19. ↑ "Former Indian Olympic football star passes away". NDTV. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  20. ↑ AIFF, Media Team (16 February 2023). "AIFF condoles the demise of Tulsidas Balaram". the-aiff.com. New Delhi: All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  21. ↑ "Former India player and Mohun Bagan great Bhabani Roy no more". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata: The Telegraph India. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "The Centenary – 1980 to 1989". Mohun Athletic Bagan Club. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  23. ↑ Sengupta, Somnath (27 April 2014). "Legends Of Indian Football : Brahmanand Sankhwalkar". thehardtackle.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  24. ↑ Bobrowsky, Josef (22 March 2002). "India tournaments 1991 – Calcutta Premier League". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 July 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  25. ↑ Chaudhuri, Arunava; Jönsson, Mikael; Bobrowsky, Josef (13 February 2014). "India 1996/97 – List of Champions: 96th Rovers Cup". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022.
  26. ↑ Chaudhuri, Arunava. "98th "Bristol" Rovers Cup 1998". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  27. ↑ Chaudhuri, Arunava. "99th "Bristol" Rovers Cup 1999". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 16 March 2002. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  28. 1 2 Morrison, Neil (2002). "India – List of Rovers Cup Finals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  29. ↑ "East Bengal - Performance in Rovers Cup". East Bengal Club. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  30. ↑ "Dempo Sports Club – Trophies (page 1)". demposportsclub.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. — "Dempo Sports Club – Trophies (page 2)". demposportsclub.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023.

Further reading

Bibliography

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