The City of Pearls and it’s new shine
Our Hyderabad has another feather in its cap – Hyderabad FC, an Indian professional football club representing the city in the Hero Indian Super League. Formed on 27th August 2019, the club took less than three years to etch its name alongside the greats, Hyderabad has seen in the past.
A six-decade-long wait, but Hyderabad is back on the map!
The History
Currently the Champions of India, the city is not new to this title. It started back in 1939 with the formation of ‘Hyderabad Football Association’ which constantly cradled immense talent and excellent personalities.
During the Nizam’s reign, Hyderabad’s ‘City Afghans’, later known as ‘Hyderabad City Police’ were reaching heights never seen before in the country. The team bagged a series of achievements in the pre-independence era including their phenomenal win in 1943 in the ‘Ashe Gold Cup’ final against Bengaluru.
A special mention to the late Sir Syed Abdul Rahim, who is hailed as the architect of the ‘Golden Age’ of Indian football. Applauded among the best coaches to date, he was a gift from Hyderabad to Indian football. He steered and shaped the ‘Hyderabad City Police’ from 1951-1963 and also coached the Indian National team to win the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games.
It was an era when Hyderabad was in love with football but over the years, the relationship grew a bit complicated. The spark never died and come 2019, the city had a new crush, in ‘Hyderabad FC’.
Now, 60 years later, Hyderabad are Champions of India, again, and we are only getting started!
The Conquest
Champions of India in less than three years, but structured and engineered right from scratch.
Disappointed but not discouraged in the first season and from heartbreak in the next to finally fulfilling thousands of dreams, a story you just have to be a part of.
After a difficult debut in the 2019-20 Indian Super League season, Hyderabad FC brought on board Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, who is now a part of the city’s history.
His first season with the club saw Hyderabad agonizingly miss out on a play-off spot in the 2020-21 ISL campaign. But the 2021-22 season was a successful and historic season as Hyderabad FC brought home the ISL Trophy to make Hyderabad, the Champions of India, again!
Breaking goal-scoring records, to creating new milestones, Hyderabad FC conquered the ISL in style.
