Founded in 1907 as an
Indian state-owned
financial services company,
Indian Bank established as a premier bank in the state of
Tamil Nadu, and considering the popularity and passion for the game of
football in the region, decided to launch a team of its own and register it with
Tamil Nadu Football Association (TNFA).[15][16] Thus the club was founded as "Indian Bank Sports and Recreational Club" in 1990 (they are also known as "FC Indian Bank").[17][18]
In 1996, Indian Bank participated in the
Scissors Cup, held in
Kerala and reached the final. They finished as runners-up as
Dempo clinched title defeating them 1–0.[19][20]
Since then, Indian Bank began participating in tournaments conducted by TNFA and CFA, including Vittal Trophy,[21] Chennai Universal Cup,[22] and TFA Shield.[23]
NFL journey
The club began their journey in the
National Football League (India) in 1996, which was the inaugural season. Jayantilal Jain, the president of Indian Bank Recreational Club, made a compact team for
1996–97 NFL season. The team registered a 4–1 win against
Mahindra United FC, which becomes the biggest away win in that season. The club later relegated from the
NFL in
1999 after finishing at the bottom of the Group-B.[24]
The club also competed in the
I-League Second Division for a long time and in 2001–02,[25] they declared as the joint-champions. From 2002 to 2006, V. P. Sathyan managed the club.[26] In the
2003–04 NFL season, Indian Bank again relegated.[27]
Later years
Winning trophies
In 1998, Indian Bank clinched their first knock-out title, Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup, defeating Delhi Blues XI 2–1.[28]
In February 2000, they again emerged victorious in Tirur All-India Football Tournament in Kerala, beating Goan side
Vasco SC 5–4.[29]
In January 2008, Indian Bank beat football team of
Reserve Bank of India 1–0 to win the Fr.Gerard Rolling Football Trophy,[30] held at DBYC grounds, Basin Bridge, Chennai.
TNFA and CFA titles
Indian Bank began participating in regional league tournaments in
Tamil Nadu since its inception. In the
Chennai Super League, they clinched title twice in 1997 and 1998.[31][32] In 2005 season, they achieved third place.[33] In
Tamil Nadu State League knock-out tournaments, Indian Bank won titles thrice in 2004, 2005–06 and 2007 season.[34][35][36] In 2005, the club took part in Nice All-India Invitational Football Tournament in Thiruvananthapuram.[37]
After a long hiatus between TNFA and CFA,[43][44] the
2021–22 Chennai Senior Division kicked off on 9 May 2022 with 10 teams competing for the title,[45] and Indian Bank achieved fifth place.
The players below had
senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Indian Bank RC.[55]
The club also operates men's basketball section, participate in numerous regional and domestic tournaments including PSG Trophy and IOB-CDBA Championship.[89][90]
^Chaudhuri, Arunava (2006).
"NFL Division Three". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from
the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^News Service, Express (3 June 2019).
"Indian Bank clinch Nachimuthu Trophy". newindianexpress.com. Chennai: The New Indian Express.
Archived from the original on 19 September 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
Founded in 1907 as an
Indian state-owned
financial services company,
Indian Bank established as a premier bank in the state of
Tamil Nadu, and considering the popularity and passion for the game of
football in the region, decided to launch a team of its own and register it with
Tamil Nadu Football Association (TNFA).[15][16] Thus the club was founded as "Indian Bank Sports and Recreational Club" in 1990 (they are also known as "FC Indian Bank").[17][18]
In 1996, Indian Bank participated in the
Scissors Cup, held in
Kerala and reached the final. They finished as runners-up as
Dempo clinched title defeating them 1–0.[19][20]
Since then, Indian Bank began participating in tournaments conducted by TNFA and CFA, including Vittal Trophy,[21] Chennai Universal Cup,[22] and TFA Shield.[23]
NFL journey
The club began their journey in the
National Football League (India) in 1996, which was the inaugural season. Jayantilal Jain, the president of Indian Bank Recreational Club, made a compact team for
1996–97 NFL season. The team registered a 4–1 win against
Mahindra United FC, which becomes the biggest away win in that season. The club later relegated from the
NFL in
1999 after finishing at the bottom of the Group-B.[24]
The club also competed in the
I-League Second Division for a long time and in 2001–02,[25] they declared as the joint-champions. From 2002 to 2006, V. P. Sathyan managed the club.[26] In the
2003–04 NFL season, Indian Bank again relegated.[27]
Later years
Winning trophies
In 1998, Indian Bank clinched their first knock-out title, Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup, defeating Delhi Blues XI 2–1.[28]
In February 2000, they again emerged victorious in Tirur All-India Football Tournament in Kerala, beating Goan side
Vasco SC 5–4.[29]
In January 2008, Indian Bank beat football team of
Reserve Bank of India 1–0 to win the Fr.Gerard Rolling Football Trophy,[30] held at DBYC grounds, Basin Bridge, Chennai.
TNFA and CFA titles
Indian Bank began participating in regional league tournaments in
Tamil Nadu since its inception. In the
Chennai Super League, they clinched title twice in 1997 and 1998.[31][32] In 2005 season, they achieved third place.[33] In
Tamil Nadu State League knock-out tournaments, Indian Bank won titles thrice in 2004, 2005–06 and 2007 season.[34][35][36] In 2005, the club took part in Nice All-India Invitational Football Tournament in Thiruvananthapuram.[37]
After a long hiatus between TNFA and CFA,[43][44] the
2021–22 Chennai Senior Division kicked off on 9 May 2022 with 10 teams competing for the title,[45] and Indian Bank achieved fifth place.
The players below had
senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Indian Bank RC.[55]
The club also operates men's basketball section, participate in numerous regional and domestic tournaments including PSG Trophy and IOB-CDBA Championship.[89][90]
^Chaudhuri, Arunava (2006).
"NFL Division Three". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from
the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^News Service, Express (3 June 2019).
"Indian Bank clinch Nachimuthu Trophy". newindianexpress.com. Chennai: The New Indian Express.
Archived from the original on 19 September 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2023.