India’s football fraternity, including the AIFF, reacts with shock, disbelief and frustration; Mumbai club says it wants to focus on grassroot level.
“Shocking”, “surprising” and “highly disappointing”… These were some of the reactions to the news of Mahindra United getting disbanded. The team’s decision has obviously come as shock for many, particularly the players and the All India Football Federation.
“It is surprising. I don’t know what triggered the decision but it’s certainly disappointing,” AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco told DNA. “Mahindra United has been like an institution. So they pulling out is really sad.”
Club chairman Alan Durante said it was imperative to bring a change in the way football was structured in the country. And even as the top players continued to enjoy good reputations among the clubs, it was necessary to have a quality group of young players.
“There have been same 400 or so players playing in the league for so many years now. They have been plying from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal to Churchill to Dempo… There is no new talent. We need to develop the grassroots. We have to nurture the talent so that they can challenge the places so far only the senior players have had,” Durante explained.
Though Durante tried to maintain a brave front, the sadness in his eyes was visible. “It is end of an era of football not only in the city but in the country as well,” lamented Mahindra United manager Henry Menezes.
Menezes has been associated with the club for nearly two decades now. He had captained the team in the 1990’s.
For nearly four decades, the name Mahindra has been synonymous to football in Mumbai. Menezes, along with international players like PM Shivdas, C Mustafa, Jerry Bassi, Santosh Kashyap and Godfrey Pereira, gave Mahindra and Mahindra Allied Company Sports Club a pan-India success.
Then known as the Orange Brigade, Mahindra under went a complete revamp wherein they changed their colours to red and black and the team was rechristened Mahindra United.
The period from 2002 to 2007 is regarded as the most successful for the club. They challenged the domination of the Kolkata clubs during this period, twice winning the Federation Cup, the National League, the Durand Cup and the IFA Shield.
They also qualified for the AFC Cup, reaching the quarterfinals in 2007. “It’s been a great journey for me in the last 19 years. But now, I look forward to our new initiative,” Durante said.
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