Churchill Brothers FC

Churchill Brothers Futebol Clube de Goa, commonly known as the Churchill Brothers, is an Indian professional football club based in Margao, Goa, that competes in the Indian Super League, alongside the Goa Professional League.Template:Efn Founded in 1988, the club usually participated in the National Football League, then top tier of the Indian football league system.Template:Efn

The club has won the I-League title thrice and has secured a position among the top three teams on nine other occasions in the national league. It has also won eight Goa League Champions Cups, three Durand Cups, and a Federation Cup.

Churchill Brothers emerged as fourth ranked Indian team, and 648 universally, in the international rankings of clubs during the first ten years of the 21st century (2001–2010), issued by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics in 2011.

History

1988–2009

Churchill Brothers FC were founded in 1988 as Varca Sports Club. After one season, they were renamed Brothers Sporting Club. Later on they were bought out by Churchill Braz Alemao and renamed as Churchill Brothers Football Club and emerged as runners-up of the National Football League thrice: 1996–97, 1999–2000 and 2001–02. In the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship, Churchill Brothers went on to represent India. But, they had a forgetful debut outing as the Goan outfit was knocked out in the very first round by Vietnamese club Dong Thap with a 2–1 aggregate loss. In 1998, Churchill roped in Bassim Yonan, the first Iraqi player in India. Noted Scottish manager Danny McLennan trained the club in 1999–2000 season.

After the take over by Churchill, the club went on to win the Durand Cup in 2007, and the 2008–09 I-League, Durand Cup in 2009, IFA Shield in the same year. In 2008, Nigerian World Cupper Emeka Ezeugo was appointed club's head coach. They also emerged as runners-up of the 2007–08 I-League, the inaugural season. Through their I-League win Churchill Brothers FC were able to play in the 2010 Asian Champions League qualifiers which they lost and moved to the 2010 AFC Cup. During the AFC Cup they won two games against Al-Hilal Al-Sahili and finished runners-up in their group, advancing to the next round. Finally, they were defeated 1–2 to Al-Qadsia at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium.

File:Odafa.jpg

Odafe Onyeka Okolie, Churchill Brothers' all-time highest goalscorer (with 128 league goals).

2010–2019

Churchill Brothers was managed by Singaporean Vincent Subramaniam for the 2010–11 season. The club went the rest of the season with Croatian Drago Mamić, who helped them win the IFA Shield that year.

File:Manuel Gomes Football.jpg

Manuel Gomes as the manager of Churchill Brothers in 2011

On 9 June 2011, Churchill Brothers announced they have signed former Portugal national football team assistant coach Manuel Gomes as a permanent coach. His start proved to be successful as the club captured the 2011 Durand Cup for the third time in their history in October 2011, defeating Prayag United 5–4. However, on 15 February 2012, it was announced that Gomes had resigned and that former coach Carlos Roberto Pereira would be brought in on a caretaker basis.

File:Beto 2.jpg

Churchill's Brazilian striker Beto (in No 10, white) in action at the 2011 Federation Cup.

Then on 13 July 2012, it was announced that Mariano Dias had been signed to become their new full-time head coach. After his first season in charge, Dias managed to lead Churchill Brothers to the I-League championship, their second domestic title in the history.

After the end of 2013–14 I-League season, Churchill finished in twelfth position with 25 points in 24 matches and was evicted from I-League for not fulfilling the Asian Football Confederation's club licensing criteria. In that season, they clinched the 2013–14 Indian Federation Cup title. In November 2017, it was announced that Ukrainian Mykola Shevchenko joined Churchill as their head coach. His first game as a manager occurred on 2 December 2017, when Churchill took on Shillong Lajong, resulting in a 2–0 loss. His stint came to an end as he was sacked from the position. Churchill then roped in Joseph Afusi of Nigeria as technical director, but were relegated at the end of the 2017–18 season, with just 17 points from 18 games. However, their position was reinstated by the AIFF, after a successful appeal by the club.

In August 2018, Romanian manager Petre Gigiu was appointed head coach. His first competitive game was on 28 October 2018 in Churchill's opening match against the reigning champions, Minerva Punjab. The match ended in a 0–0 draw. At the end of the 2018–19 I-League season, they finished on fourth position with 34 points.

2020–present

In September 2020, Churchill appointed Fernando Santiago Varela as head coach. Under his guidance, Churchill emerged as the runners-up of the 2020–21 I-League with 29 points. Although Churchill managed a win against RoundGlass Punjab in their last match, Gokulam Kerala FC were crowned champions courtesy of a better head-to-head record.

Ahead of the 2021–22 I-League, Churchill roped in their first ever Guinean player Sekou Sylla, and Romanian Petre Gigiu returned to the club as head coach. They finished the season in fourth place. The club later in November, reached final of Baji Rout Cup in Odisha, finished as runners-up after defeat to Rajasthan United. They later took part in 2023 Indian Super Cup in Kerala in April, and 2024 Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy along with foreign teams like Brisbane Roar and Defensa y Justicia participated. In November, the club appointed Cypriot manager Dimitris Dimitriou as head coach.

In the 2024–25 I-League season, Churchill Brothers provisionally finished top of the table. On 13 April, the club withdraw from Super Cup amid I-League title controversy, in protest against the AIFF's unfair and opaque seeding process, citing "denied our rightful place and trophy, against the rules, spirit, and integrity of football." On 19 April, Churchill Brothers was declared champions of the I-League 2024–25 after the official verdict given by Appeals Committee of the All India Football Federation, which ensured their promotion to the Indian Super League.

Crest, colours & kits

Crest

In 2011, a new red and black coloured crest was introduced. The crest of Churchill Brothers was originally in green and yellow, that had a football on green grass with yellow rays representing the sun's rays, with initials of the club name.

• Former club crest (1988–2011)
  Former club crest (1988–2011)

Colours

File:Jayanth Kumar.jpg

Churchill Brothers player Jayanth Kumar in club's red coloured kit at their home ground in Vasco.

The present colours of Churchill Brothers kit is red for home matches and blue for away matches, but before the brand new crest the home colours were white and the away colours were red.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
1988—2011	None	Churchill Brothers
2011—2017	Nivia
2017—2018	Faisports
2018—2023	Nivia
2023—2024	Trak-Only
2024—	King Sports

Ownership and nickname

File:Shri Churchill Alemao, Rajya Sabha MP speaking at the valedictory function of Bharat Nirman Abhyaan organised jointly by the various media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at Ponda-Goa for the last.jpg

Churchill Alemao (in left), founder and owner of Churchill Brothers.

Churchill Brothers is owned and led for decades by Goan entrepreneur and politician Churchill Alemao, who served as both the president of Goa Football Association and Chief Minister of the state. His daughter Valanka Alemao is current CEO of the club.

Churchill Brothers is predominantly nicknamed the "Red Machine".

Stadiums

File:Fatorda Stadium, Goa.jpg

The Fatorda Stadium on a matchday

File:Tilak Maidan Stadium.jpg

The Tilak Maidan Stadium on a matchday

Since the I-League began, Churchill Brothers have always played mainly at the Fatorda Stadium in the South Goan city of Margao, along with other Goan clubs (Dempo, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Vasco). They also used Tilak Maidan Stadium for both the I-League and the Goa Professional League matches.

During the 2012–13 season, Churchill Brothers temporarily played at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa, while the Fatorda Stadium was being renovated for the 2013 Lusophony Games and the Tilak Maidan was being renovated up to the AFC standards. During the 2013 AFC Cup, Churchill Brothers used Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune as their home ground. In 2022, the club moved to GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.

In 2024–25 I-League season, the club used Raia Panchayet Ground, located in Raia, as their home venue.

Rivalries

Churchill Brothers has a major rivalry with their fellow Goan side Dempo, popularly known as the "Goan Derby".

They have also rivalries with other two Goan sides, Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar, whom they faced in I-League, and currently in Goa Professional League.

Players

First-team squad

As of February 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	Template:Fba/core	Sayad Kadir
2	DF	Template:Fba/core	Nishchal Chandan
3	DF	Template:Fba/core	José Luis Moreno
5	DF	Template:Fba/core	Ponif Vaz
6	MF	Template:Fba/core	Pape Gassama
7	MF	Template:Fba/core	Stendly Fernandes
9	FW	Template:Fba/core	Wayde Lekay
10	FW	Template:Fba/core	Sebastián Gutiérrez
11	FW	Template:Fba/core	Faisal Ali
14	DF	Template:Fba/core	Alent Colaco
15	DF	Template:Fba/core	Lalbiakhlua Lianzela
17	DF	Template:Fba/core	Lalremruata Ralte
18	FW	Template:Fba/core	Trijoy Dias

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
19	DF	Template:Fba/core	Lamgoulen Hangshing (captain)
20	MF	Template:Fba/core	Silvana R Lalruatkima
26	MF	Template:Fba/core	Lunminlen Haokip
32	MF	Template:Fba/core	Pushkar Sanjay Prabhu
33	MF	Template:Fba/core	Richard Costa
44	MF	Template:Fba/core	Jobern Cardozo
49	DF	Template:Fba/core	Lesly Rebello
57	FW	Template:Fba/core	Anil Rama Gaonkar
26	MF	Template:Fba/core	Kingslee Fernandes
34	MF	Template:Fba/core	Aubin Kouakou
—	FW	Template:Fba/core	Ashley Alban Koli (on loan from Mohammedan)
97	FW	Template:Fba/core	Rafiq Aminu

Personnel

Current technical staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Template:Flagicon Dimitris Dimitriou
Assistant coach	Template:Flagicon Saran Singh
Goalkeeping coach	Template:Flagicon Nikidesh Kalari Vattath
Physio	Template:Flagicon Anandu S. Kumar

Honours

League

• I-League
  • Champions (2): 2008–09, 2012–13
  • Runners-up (3): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2020–21
• National Football League
  • Runners-up (3): 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2001–02
  • Third place (2): 1997–98, 1999–00
• National Football League II
  • Runners-up (1): 2005–06

Cup

• Durand Cup
  • Champions (3): 2007, 2009, 2011
  • Runners-up (2): 2001–02, 2008
• Federation Cup
  • Champions (1): 2013–14
• IFA ShieldTemplate:Refn
  • Champions (2): 2009, 2011
• Rovers Cup
  • Runners-up (3): 1997, 1999, 2000–01
• Goa Governor's Cup
  • Champions (3): 2000, 2002, 2003
  • Runners-up (2): 1999, 2001
• Goa Police Cup
  • Champions (1): 1999
  • Runners-up (1): 2018
• Baji Rout Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2022

Regional

• Goa Football League
  • Champions (8): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2008–09, 2019–20 (shared)Template:Refn
  • Third place (1): 2007

Performance in AFC competitions

• Asian Club Championship: 1 appearance

1997–98: 1st round

• AFC Champions League: 2 appearances

2002–03: Qualifying round 3

2010: Qualifying play-off

• AFC Cup: 3 appearances

2010: Round of 16

2013: Group stage

2014: Round of 16

Team records

Seasonal records

Season	Division	Teams	Position	Attendance	Federation Cup/Super Cup	Durand Cup	AFC Champions League	AFC Cup
2016–17	I-League	10	6th	2,560	Group stage	DNP	DNP	DNP
2017–18	I-League	10	9th	2,921	Round of 16	DNP	DNP	DNP
2018–19	I-League	11	4th	3,387	–	DNP	DNP	DNP
2019–20	I-League	11	8th	3,062	–	DNP	DNP	DNP
2020–21	I-League	11	2nd	-	–	DNP	DNP	DNP

Key

• Tms. = Number of teams
• Pos. = Position in league
• Attendance/G = Average league attendance

Transfer record

• Highest transfer fee received – Template:Flagicon Khalid Aucho: Template:Indian rupee4 crore ({{INRConvert/|4|7||USD|year={{{year}}}}}) for move to Egyptian club Misr Lel Makkasa in 2019.

Goalscoring record

• Highest goalscorer of the Indian NFL (with Churchill Brothers): Template:Flagicon Philip Mensah (1998–99), Template:Flagicon Yusif Yakubu (2001–02; 2002–03).

Other records

• Players won I-League Golden Boot for Churchill Brothers: Template:Flagicon Odafe Onyeka Okolie (thrice, in 2007–08, 2008–09, 2007–08); Template:Flagicon Willis Plaza (once, in 2018–19).

Team award(s)

• I-League Fair Play Award: 2016–17

Notable wins against foreign teams

As of matches played 23 April 2014

Competition	Round	Year	Opposition	Score	Venue	City	Ref
AFC Cup	Group stage	2010	Template:Flagicon Al Hilal Al Sahili	2–1	Ali Mohsen Stadium	Sana'a
AFC Cup	Group stage	2010	Template:Flagicon Al Hilal Al Sahili	1–0	Fatorda Stadium	Margao
AFC Cup	Group stage	2013	Template:Flagicon Warriors	3–0	Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex	Pune
AFC Cup	Group stage	2014	Template:Flagicon New Radiant	3–0	Fatorda Stadium	Margao
AFC Cup	Group stage	2014	Template:Flagicon Home United	3–1	Fatorda Stadium	Margao
AFC Cup	Group stage	2014	Template:Flagicon New Radiant	2–1	Galolhu National Stadium	Malé

Seasons

Results of league and cup competitions by season

Season	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos	Federation Cup	Super Cup	Asia	Round reached	Name	Goals
	League													Top goalscorer
1996–97	Div 1	19	10	6	3	27	16	39	2nd	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
1997–98	Div 1	18	4	7	7	20	26	19	9th	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
1998–99	Div 1	20	7	8	5	27	22	29	3rd	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
1999–2000	Div 1	22	12	5	5	36	17	41	2nd	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
2000–01	Div 1	22	10	6	6	32	25	36	3rd	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
2001–02	Div 1	22	12	6	4	44	19	42	2nd	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
2002–03	Div 1	22	10	7	5	33	22	37	5th	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	AFC Champions League	QR3	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
2003–04	Div 1	22	10	6	6	29	24	36	4th	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	—	—
2004–05	Div 1	22	5	8	9	23	33	23	9th	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	—	—
2005–06	Div 2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash
2006–07	Div 1	18	7	8	3	30	23	29	4th	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	—	—
2007–08	IL	18	11	3	4	40	22	36	2nd	QF	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Flagicon	22
2008–09	IL	22	13	7	2	53	23	46	1st	SF	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Flagicon	24
2009–10	IL	26	11	10	5	50	35	43	2nd	SF	Template:Sort dash	AFC Cup	R16	Template:Flagicon	22
2010–11	IL	26	14	8	4	57	31	50	4th	SF	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Flagicon	25
2011–12	IL	26	14	6	6	47	28	48	3rd	GS	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Sort dash	Template:Flagicon Henry Antchouet	18
2012–13	IL	26	16	7	3	56	22	55	1st	SF	Template:Sort dash	AFC Cup	GS	Template:Flagicon Henry Antchouet	14
2013–14	IL	24	6	7	11	25	37	25	12th	W	Template:Sort dash	AFC Cup	R16	Template:Flagicon Balwant Singh	10
2018–19	IL	20	9	7	4	35	23	34	4th		-	-	-	Template:Flagicon Willis Plaza	21
2019–20	IL	15	6	2	7	23	21	20	8th

1st or W	Winners
2nd or RU	Runners-up
Template:Up-arrow	Promoted
Template:Down-arrow	Relegated
♦	Top scorer in division

Managerial history

• Template:Flagicon Armando Colaco (1994–1999)
• Template:Flagicon Danny McLennan (1999–2000)
• Template:Flagicon Gregory Testvin (2000–2001)
• Template:Flagicon T. K. Chathunni (2001–2002)
• Template:Flagicon Marcus Pacheco (2002–2004)
• Template:Flagicon Shabbir Ali (2004–2005)
• Template:Flagicon György Kottán (2005–2006)
• Template:Flagicon Karim Bencherifa (2006–2008)
• Template:Flagicon Emeka Ezeugo (2008)
• Template:Flagicon Zoran Đorđević (2008–2009)
• Template:Flagicon Carlos Roberto Pereira (2009–2010)
• Template:Flagicon Vincent Subramaniam (2010–2011)
• Template:Flagicon Drago Mamić (2011)
• Template:Flagicon Sukhwinder Singh (2011)
• Template:Flagicon Manuel Gomes (2011–2012)
• Template:Flagicon Carlos Roberto Pereira (2012)
• Template:Flagicon Mariano Dias (2012–2014)
• Template:Flagicon Joseph Afusi (2014)
• Template:Flagicon Alfred Fernandes (2014–2016)
• Template:Flagicon Joseph Afusi (2016–2017)
• Template:Flagicon Derrick Pereira (2017)
• Template:Flagicon Mykola Shevchenko (2017)
• Template:Flagicon Petre Gigiu (2018–2019)
• Template:Flagicon Edward Ansah (2019)
• Template:Flagicon Bernardo Tavares (2019–2020)
• Template:Flagicon Mateus Costa (2020)
• Template:Flagicon Fernando Santiago Varela (2020–2021)
• Template:Flagicon Petre Gigiu (2021–2022)
• Template:Flagicon Antonio Rueda Fernández (2022)
• Template:Flagicon Fernando Santiago Varela (2022–2023)
• Template:Flagicon Mateus Costa (2023)
• Template:Flagicon Edgardo Malvestiti (2023–2024)
• Template:Flagicon Francesc Bonet (2024)
• Template:Flagicon Dimitris Dimitriou (2024–)

Notable players

World Cup players

• Template:Flagicon Emeka Ezeugo (1997–1998)
• Template:Flagicon Anthony Wolfe (2014, 2017, 2018–2019)

Foreign internationals

Template:Flagicon José Maria da Cruz Martins (1998–1999) Template:Flagicon Tapera Madzima (1998–1999) Template:Flagicon Edward Ansah (1999–2003) Template:Flagicon Igor Shkvyrin (2000–2001) Template:Flagicon Nicholas Muyoti (2006–2007) Template:Flagicon Óscar Sonejee (2008) Template:Flagicon Kayne Vincent (2010–2011) Template:Flagicon Henri Antchouet (2011–2013) Template:Flagicon Balal Arezou (2011–2013)

Template:Flagicon Akram Moghrabi (2012–2013) Template:Flagicon Bilal El Najjarine (2012–2013) Template:Flagicon Ra'ed Al-Nawateer (2013) Template:Flagicon Yasser Shaheen (2013–2014) Template:Flagicon Cristhian Lagos (2014) Template:Flagicon Glenton Wolfe (2014) Template:Flagicon Emmanuel Ariwachukwu (2014–2015) Template:Flagicon Precious Emuejeraye (2017–2018) Template:Flagicon Khalid Aucho (2018–2019)

Template:Flagicon Hussein El Dor (2018–2019) Template:Flagicon Willis Plaza (2018–2020) Template:Flagicon Radanfah Abu Bakr (2019–2020) Template:Flagicon Robert Primus (2019–2020) Template:Flagicon Clayvin Zúñiga (2021) Template:Flagicon Komron Tursunov (2022) Template:Flagicon Abdoulaye Sané (2022–) Template:Flagicon Momo Cissé (2022–2024) Template:Flagicon Sharif Mukhammad (2022–2024) Template:Flagicon Kurtis Guthrie (2024–)

Other notable players

• Template:Flagicon I. M. Vijayan (2004–2005) – Captained India from 2000 to 2004; the Padma Shri and Arjuna and multiple AIFF Player of the Year awardee.
• Template:Flagicon Odafe Onyeka Okolie (2005–2011; 2014–2016) – club's all-time highest goalscorer, with 128 league goals (top scorer in league's 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 seasons).
• Template:Flagicon Sunil Chhetri (2013) – most-capped player and the all-time top goalscorer of India.
• Template:Flagicon Yusif Yakubu (2001–2005; 2017) – NFL golden boot winner with Churchill in 2001–02, and 2002–03 [From 2001 to 2005, he scored 65 goals in 103 league matches with club] (also won IndianFootball.com 'player of the Year' award with Churchill in 2003).
• Template:Flagicon Abdelhamid Shabana (2013–2014) – appeared in the African Games, and was part of the Egypt U-20 and U-23.
• Template:Flagicon David Izazola (2018) – won 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with Mexico, alongside being bronze medalist at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
• Template:Flagicon Ahmad Al Kaddour (2013) – appeared at the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship with Syria U-19.
• Template:Flagicon Sadat Bukari (2018–2019) – appeared at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship with Ghana U-17.
• Template:Flagicon Dawda Ceesay (2019) – appeared at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup with Gambia U-17.
• Template:Flagicon Shadi Skaf (2021–2022) – captained Lebanon U-20 team at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie.
• Template:Flagicon Martín Cháves (2023–2024) – appeared at the 2015 South American U-17 Championship with Uruguay U-17.

Other departments

Women's team

The club has a women's section, that competes in Goa Women's League, and won the league title in 2022–23 season. They also participated in Indian Women's League. Club's midfielder Cia Ryzella Almeida was honoured with "Women's Player of the Year" award by Goa Football Association (GFA) in June 2023.

Honours

• Goa Women's League
  • Champions (1): 2022–23

Youth team

Churchill Brothers' U17 youth men's team competes in the Hero Youth League. Club's U19 team reached championship round in 2011 season. Their U15 team took part in Nike Premier Cup. Club's U20 team competed in I-League U20.

See also

• List of Churchill Brothers S.C. seasons
• List of Goan state football champions
• Indian football clubs in Asian competitions

References

Cited sources

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

• Template:Facebook
• Template:Instagram
• Team profile at the-aiff.com (AIFF)
• Team archive at WorldFootball.net
• Team profile at Global Sports Archive