Chirag United Club Kerala

Chirag United Club Kerala is an Indian professional football club based in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala India. The club was originally formed in 2004, as Viva Kerala FC. They play in the I-League, the top tier of Indian Football.

History

Chirag United Club Kerala was formed on August 8, 2004. The club officially took off on August 19 in a ceremony at the FACT grounds. The club was formed by group of businessmen who felt the need for the state's representation in country's top football league, the National Football League (NFL). Viva Kerala's name is the result of a contest, won by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of Ernakulam.

In 2007 the opportunity for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase. In the final phase, Viva Kerala finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the I-League 2007-08 on 6 April 2007. The club were then relegated back to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2007-08. Then the next season Viva Kerala were promoted back to the I-League for the 2009-10 season.

In 2010 it was announced that I-League clubs needed to complete the AFC club licensing criteria. In order to do so, Viva had signed P.K Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new Head coach. Then in August 2011 it was announced that Chirag Computers would be the new majority owners and with doing so changed the club name to Chirag United Club Kerala.

Crest

The Chirag Crest is a yellow background with a coconut tree behind in the background with the words Chirag United Kerala on the front.

Stadiums

Ever since their creation Chirag United Kerala have played in two different stadiums. For their first three I-League seasons Chirag used the Municipal Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode which holds a capacity of 53,000. They then after getting bought by Chirag Computers decided to move to the Kaloor International Stadium in Kochi which boasts a capacity of 60,000 and has working floodlights. In 2011-12 season of I-League, Kaloor International Stadium in Kochi will host 8 matches and 5 matches will be hosted by University stadium in state capital Trivandrum.

Ownership

The club sense founding was ran by Musli Power X-tra (Kunnath Pharmaceuticals) mainly due the Power X-tra being major sponsors of the team. In July 2011 after not signing for then Viva Kerala, Chirag Computers came in a brought full stake in the club and changed the name to Chirag United Club Kerala. ^[1]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Kit manufacturers

• 2011-present: RP Clothing

Shirt sponsors

• 2011-present: Chirag Computers

Players

Current Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Staff

Honors

Domestic

• I-League 2nd Division

Runners-up (1): 2009

References