United SC soon emerged as one of the most successful teams from the state in 2010s, after Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.[12][13] The club previously participated in
I-League,[14] which was then top flight of Indian football league system.[15][16][17][18] The club mostly uses
Kalyani Stadium as home ground.[19]
History
1927–2009
United SC was originally established in 1927 as Eveready Association Club.[20] Since then, they participated in fewer editions of the
Calcutta Football League. The club has a tradition of bringing up local and unknown talents from various parts of Bengal.[21] In 2003, they lifted their first trophy
All Airlines Gold Cup, defeating
Mohun Bagan 2–1. In 2004, they emerged victorious in the
Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup, defeating
ANFA XI 4–2 in penalty-shootout. During the 2005–06 season, they participated in
Kalinga Cup in Odisha and reached the final, defeating Bangladeshi side Bada Jagarani Sangsad by 4–2.[22][23] They clinched the title defeating Cuttack SSH 2–0.[24] Eveready Association also reached the final of the 111th edition of
IFA Shield but lost 1–5 to
Bayern Munich II at the end.[25][26][27]
In 2006, the club was renamed as United Sports Club to attract a title sponsor and the football division owned by United Sport Football Team Private Ltd.[28] Later, veteran manager
Amal Dutta was roped in as head coach in place of Belgian
Philippe De Ridder.[29] With the inflow of sponsorship, the club clinched promotion to the first division of the
I-League in 2007.[30] Previously the club has competed in the
National Football League (India) before joining the newly formed
I-League.[31] Later in 2009, they roped in
Subrata Bhattacharya as head coach.[32][33][34]
2010–2020
Prayag United participated in the 123rd edition of the
Durand Cup in
2010. United emerged champion at the
Ambedkar Stadium with a 1–0 tie-break win over
JCT FC.[35][36] For the
2010–11 I-League season, United SC played at the
Salt Lake Stadium in
Kolkata. On Indian Transfer deadline day United SC made headline news by signing
India national football team striker
Sunil Chhetri until the end of the season.[37] On 3 April 2011, Chhetri scored his first goal for Chirag United against
Dempo, however, Dempo won the match 4–2.[38] Chhetri then scored a brace on 29 April 2011 against
ONGC to help salvage a 2–2 draw for Chirag.[14] In June 2011 after the
I-League season ended, old sponsors Chirag chose to cut ties with United SC and thus Chirag United SC became Prayag United Sports Club. Even though the team has lost a lot in terms of sponsorship money the club is still able to sign and retain their current players.
On 3 August 2011, it was announced that United Sports Club had signed a sponsorship deal with Prayag Group and on 7 August 2011 United Sports Club officially changed their name to Prayag United SC.[39][40][41] In October, the club narrowly missed the opportunity of winning the
Durand Cup, after a 5–4 defeat to
Churchill Brothers.[42][43] The association, however was cancelled in the summer of the 2013, when the company found itself involved in the chit-fund scam. The name was again changed to United Sports Club.[44][45][46]
In November 2012, Dutchman
Eelco Schattorie was roped in by the club as their new manager,[47] and he managed his first game in India on 10 November 2012, where he led Prayag to a 10–1 victory over newly promoted
United Sikkim.[48] Schattorie won his first and only cup for the side on 20 March 2013 when Prayag United defeated
East Bengal in the
IFA Shield final 1–0 through a
Ranti Martins goal.[49] The following season in the I-League, They thrashed
Air India FC by 5–1 margin,[50] and eventually finished the
2012–13 campaign leading Prayag United to a fourth-place finish with 44 points.[51][52][53][54] In that season, they emerged as the runners-up of the
2012 IFA Shield, losing to
East Bengal by 4–2 on penalties.[55][56]
United SC maintained good form in domestic league, as they moved to championship round of
2022–23 I-League 2.[67][68][69] At the end of the round in May, they finished in fifth position.[70][71][72][73] In June 2023, the Indian Football Association (IFA) announced the merger of both Premier Division A and B of the
Calcutta Football League, ahead of its 125th edition, in which United was allowed to compete in Group I.[74][75][76][77] In 2023–24 I-League 2, the club was managed by Ranjan Bhattacharjee.[78] In
that league season, United SC earned sixth-place finish with 15 points in 14 matches.[79][80]
Crest & colours
The club crest is designed in the shape of a blue and white circle, that includes words United Sports Club in the blue strip.[81] This is to show United Sports Club as the main name of the club. Inside the crest, there is a
Peafowl on top of a
football.
While the crest is
blue and
white, the official colours of United SC are
purple and
yellow.[82] While still sponsored and owned by Chirag Computers, United Sports Club's official colours were purple and white. The home kit for United SC includes a purple and yellow jersey with purple shorts and white socks while the away kit is all white with red socks.
Ownership
Originally established in 1927 as the EverReady Association, the club was renamed as the United Sports Club in 2006, following financial backing by Chirag Computers, a subsidiary of RP Group Company.[83][84] With the inflow of sponsorship thereafter, the club clinched promotion to the first division of the
I-League in 2008.
In 2011, Prayag Group (also known as Chirag United Sports Pvt. Ltd.) bought the majority stake of the club, and rebranded it as "Prayag United".[85][86][87] Alokesh Kundu and Siddhartha Bhattacharya became General Secretary and Director of United Sports respectively.[88] The club in headquartered in 33/8, Nabi Krishna Ghoshal Road.[89]
United Sports Club currently plays at the 20,000 seating
Kalyani Municipal Corporation Stadium in
Kalyani.[92][93] Though the officials initially said that club would move to
Siliguri, they have decided to stay in Kalyani for the 2013–14 season and continued there.[39][94]
Highest goalscorer in a single edition of
I-League, while representing United SC (then known as Prayag United): Ranti Martins (with 26 goals in
2013–14 season), also won "Best Player of the I-League" award by the
All India Football Federation as well as the "Best Forward" award.[155]
Highest goalscorer in a single edition of
I-League 2, while representing United SC: Sahil Harijan (with 11 goals in
2023–24 season).[156]
Other departments
Football: youth section and academy
In 2013, United SC launched its U20 team to participate in the
Elite League (India) as Prayag United U20[157] and competed in 2012 and
2013 I-League U20.[158][159][160] The club's U19 team[161][162] was formed in 2010 and competed in the
2010 and 2012 editions of U19 I-League.[163] They later participated in the league during the
2014–15 I-League U19 season from group A – Kolkata zone and moved to final round.[164][165][166][167] They have also participated in 2017–18 edition of youth league.[168] Club's under-19 team also took part in IFA U19 Calcutta Football League.[169]
United SC's reserve team also participated in regional tournaments like All India Steel Express Football Championship.[170] The club has been operating United Sports Football School for youth development, having two campuses in Shyamnagar, and Doon Heritage School in Siliguri.[171] In December 2023, football academy of United SC gained 'elite category' accreditation by the
All India Football Federation.[172]
^From 2015 to
2018, the IFA Shield was designed as an youth tournament wherein youth teams of all divisions were allowed to participate (ref.:
"IFA Shield now U-19 tournament". Telegraph India. 10 January 2015. Archived from
the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.).
^Sharma, Sukalp (31 May 2010).
"Indias biggest league". financialexpress.com. The Financial Express. Archived from
the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Sharma, Sukalp (30 May 2010).
"Indias biggest league". financialexpress.com. The Financial Express. Archived from
the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Scroll down to read the short news titled "Chirag win":
"IN THE CITY 06-01-2011 — Chirag Win". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata: The Telegraph India. 6 January 2011. Archived from
the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
Bhowmick, Mithun (15 December 2018).
"ভারতীয় ফুটবলের অসুখসমূহ: পর্ব – ২" [Diseases of Indian football: Episode – 2]. bengali.indianexpress.com (in Bengali). Kolkata: IE Bangla Sports Desk. Indian Express News Service. Archived from
the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
Notes: The tournament was not held from 1914-19 (due to
WWI), in 1939 (due to
WWII), from 1941-49 (due to
WWII and
Partition), in 1962 (due to
1962 War) and in 2015 and 2017-2018 (due to unknown reasons)
United SC soon emerged as one of the most successful teams from the state in 2010s, after Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.[12][13] The club previously participated in
I-League,[14] which was then top flight of Indian football league system.[15][16][17][18] The club mostly uses
Kalyani Stadium as home ground.[19]
History
1927–2009
United SC was originally established in 1927 as Eveready Association Club.[20] Since then, they participated in fewer editions of the
Calcutta Football League. The club has a tradition of bringing up local and unknown talents from various parts of Bengal.[21] In 2003, they lifted their first trophy
All Airlines Gold Cup, defeating
Mohun Bagan 2–1. In 2004, they emerged victorious in the
Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup, defeating
ANFA XI 4–2 in penalty-shootout. During the 2005–06 season, they participated in
Kalinga Cup in Odisha and reached the final, defeating Bangladeshi side Bada Jagarani Sangsad by 4–2.[22][23] They clinched the title defeating Cuttack SSH 2–0.[24] Eveready Association also reached the final of the 111th edition of
IFA Shield but lost 1–5 to
Bayern Munich II at the end.[25][26][27]
In 2006, the club was renamed as United Sports Club to attract a title sponsor and the football division owned by United Sport Football Team Private Ltd.[28] Later, veteran manager
Amal Dutta was roped in as head coach in place of Belgian
Philippe De Ridder.[29] With the inflow of sponsorship, the club clinched promotion to the first division of the
I-League in 2007.[30] Previously the club has competed in the
National Football League (India) before joining the newly formed
I-League.[31] Later in 2009, they roped in
Subrata Bhattacharya as head coach.[32][33][34]
2010–2020
Prayag United participated in the 123rd edition of the
Durand Cup in
2010. United emerged champion at the
Ambedkar Stadium with a 1–0 tie-break win over
JCT FC.[35][36] For the
2010–11 I-League season, United SC played at the
Salt Lake Stadium in
Kolkata. On Indian Transfer deadline day United SC made headline news by signing
India national football team striker
Sunil Chhetri until the end of the season.[37] On 3 April 2011, Chhetri scored his first goal for Chirag United against
Dempo, however, Dempo won the match 4–2.[38] Chhetri then scored a brace on 29 April 2011 against
ONGC to help salvage a 2–2 draw for Chirag.[14] In June 2011 after the
I-League season ended, old sponsors Chirag chose to cut ties with United SC and thus Chirag United SC became Prayag United Sports Club. Even though the team has lost a lot in terms of sponsorship money the club is still able to sign and retain their current players.
On 3 August 2011, it was announced that United Sports Club had signed a sponsorship deal with Prayag Group and on 7 August 2011 United Sports Club officially changed their name to Prayag United SC.[39][40][41] In October, the club narrowly missed the opportunity of winning the
Durand Cup, after a 5–4 defeat to
Churchill Brothers.[42][43] The association, however was cancelled in the summer of the 2013, when the company found itself involved in the chit-fund scam. The name was again changed to United Sports Club.[44][45][46]
In November 2012, Dutchman
Eelco Schattorie was roped in by the club as their new manager,[47] and he managed his first game in India on 10 November 2012, where he led Prayag to a 10–1 victory over newly promoted
United Sikkim.[48] Schattorie won his first and only cup for the side on 20 March 2013 when Prayag United defeated
East Bengal in the
IFA Shield final 1–0 through a
Ranti Martins goal.[49] The following season in the I-League, They thrashed
Air India FC by 5–1 margin,[50] and eventually finished the
2012–13 campaign leading Prayag United to a fourth-place finish with 44 points.[51][52][53][54] In that season, they emerged as the runners-up of the
2012 IFA Shield, losing to
East Bengal by 4–2 on penalties.[55][56]
United SC maintained good form in domestic league, as they moved to championship round of
2022–23 I-League 2.[67][68][69] At the end of the round in May, they finished in fifth position.[70][71][72][73] In June 2023, the Indian Football Association (IFA) announced the merger of both Premier Division A and B of the
Calcutta Football League, ahead of its 125th edition, in which United was allowed to compete in Group I.[74][75][76][77] In 2023–24 I-League 2, the club was managed by Ranjan Bhattacharjee.[78] In
that league season, United SC earned sixth-place finish with 15 points in 14 matches.[79][80]
Crest & colours
The club crest is designed in the shape of a blue and white circle, that includes words United Sports Club in the blue strip.[81] This is to show United Sports Club as the main name of the club. Inside the crest, there is a
Peafowl on top of a
football.
While the crest is
blue and
white, the official colours of United SC are
purple and
yellow.[82] While still sponsored and owned by Chirag Computers, United Sports Club's official colours were purple and white. The home kit for United SC includes a purple and yellow jersey with purple shorts and white socks while the away kit is all white with red socks.
Ownership
Originally established in 1927 as the EverReady Association, the club was renamed as the United Sports Club in 2006, following financial backing by Chirag Computers, a subsidiary of RP Group Company.[83][84] With the inflow of sponsorship thereafter, the club clinched promotion to the first division of the
I-League in 2008.
In 2011, Prayag Group (also known as Chirag United Sports Pvt. Ltd.) bought the majority stake of the club, and rebranded it as "Prayag United".[85][86][87] Alokesh Kundu and Siddhartha Bhattacharya became General Secretary and Director of United Sports respectively.[88] The club in headquartered in 33/8, Nabi Krishna Ghoshal Road.[89]
United Sports Club currently plays at the 20,000 seating
Kalyani Municipal Corporation Stadium in
Kalyani.[92][93] Though the officials initially said that club would move to
Siliguri, they have decided to stay in Kalyani for the 2013–14 season and continued there.[39][94]
Highest goalscorer in a single edition of
I-League, while representing United SC (then known as Prayag United): Ranti Martins (with 26 goals in
2013–14 season), also won "Best Player of the I-League" award by the
All India Football Federation as well as the "Best Forward" award.[155]
Highest goalscorer in a single edition of
I-League 2, while representing United SC: Sahil Harijan (with 11 goals in
2023–24 season).[156]
Other departments
Football: youth section and academy
In 2013, United SC launched its U20 team to participate in the
Elite League (India) as Prayag United U20[157] and competed in 2012 and
2013 I-League U20.[158][159][160] The club's U19 team[161][162] was formed in 2010 and competed in the
2010 and 2012 editions of U19 I-League.[163] They later participated in the league during the
2014–15 I-League U19 season from group A – Kolkata zone and moved to final round.[164][165][166][167] They have also participated in 2017–18 edition of youth league.[168] Club's under-19 team also took part in IFA U19 Calcutta Football League.[169]
United SC's reserve team also participated in regional tournaments like All India Steel Express Football Championship.[170] The club has been operating United Sports Football School for youth development, having two campuses in Shyamnagar, and Doon Heritage School in Siliguri.[171] In December 2023, football academy of United SC gained 'elite category' accreditation by the
All India Football Federation.[172]
^From 2015 to
2018, the IFA Shield was designed as an youth tournament wherein youth teams of all divisions were allowed to participate (ref.:
"IFA Shield now U-19 tournament". Telegraph India. 10 January 2015. Archived from
the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.).
^Sharma, Sukalp (31 May 2010).
"Indias biggest league". financialexpress.com. The Financial Express. Archived from
the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Sharma, Sukalp (30 May 2010).
"Indias biggest league". financialexpress.com. The Financial Express. Archived from
the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Scroll down to read the short news titled "Chirag win":
"IN THE CITY 06-01-2011 — Chirag Win". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata: The Telegraph India. 6 January 2011. Archived from
the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
Bhowmick, Mithun (15 December 2018).
"ভারতীয় ফুটবলের অসুখসমূহ: পর্ব – ২" [Diseases of Indian football: Episode – 2]. bengali.indianexpress.com (in Bengali). Kolkata: IE Bangla Sports Desk. Indian Express News Service. Archived from
the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
Notes: The tournament was not held from 1914-19 (due to
WWI), in 1939 (due to
WWII), from 1941-49 (due to
WWII and
Partition), in 1962 (due to
1962 War) and in 2015 and 2017-2018 (due to unknown reasons)