In 1951, residents from the port town of Vasco da Gama, Goa, including the
Portuguesegarrison stationed there, formed the club called Clube de Desportos Vasco da Gama.[16][17] Tenente Avila became first president of the club.[18] On 1 September of that year, the club earned certification; they became affiliated to the
Associação de Futebol de Goa (GFA) in 1959.[18] It was named after the famous Brazilian club Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, and similar colours were adopted by it.[16] The open fields where the present
Tilak Maidan Stadium and were the practice grounds for the players. Later a club house was built nearby, which still stands today.[19]
Early years
During the last five decades the club participated in most of the major tournaments in India.[20] The sixties and seventies were the most productive years for the club as they won some of the major tournaments during that time (Kerala Trophy, Stafford Cup, Chakola Gold Trophy and Sait-Nagjee Trophy).[21] In 1968, it won the first edition of
Goa Police Cup, and in 1969, it became the first Goan side to win
Sait Nagjee Football Tournament defeating
Border Security Force FC. It failed to win in other tournaments including
Rovers Cup,[22]Bordoloi Trophy and Nehru Memorial Tournament, having lost out in the several finals. In 1970, Vasco again became the first Goan side to win prestigious
Bandodkar Gold Trophy, defeating
Dempo 1–0.[23] During the late-60s and early-70s, Vasco was noted for having famous "A–B–C–D of Indian football", players Andrew D'Souza, Bernard Pereira, Catao Fernandes, and Dominic Pereira.[24][25][26][27] As far as honors at home go, the club won the Goa Professional League title on six occasions starting in 1954 until 1969 and is the oldest registered club still participating in the state's top league competition.[28][29] Vasco also became first Goan club to have won a tournament in
Bombay, the WIFA Championship in 1966.[24]
After two decades of major victories, the 1980s saw a decline in the efficacy of the club in terms of all Indian and state tournaments. However, it retained a prominent position among the top five clubs in Goa. The decline started when Bandekar group withdrew support and there were no new investors to fund the increasing cost of top class players.[30] From 1973 to 1975, Vasco was managed by legendary
Indian goalkeeper
Peter Thangaraj,[31][32] and renowned goalkeeper
E.N. Sudhir played for the club.[33] The club clinched
Stafford Challenge Cup title in 1973.[34][35] Over the last five decades, the club has received a lot of financial help from many philanthropic individuals not only from Goa, but also Goans residing abroad.[36]
Present years
Undaunted, from the mid 1990s, under the leadership of Nõel da Lima Leitão, the club appointed former
S.L. Benfica star
Zeca Miglietti as coach for its training programme. His hard work saw the Club reach the quarterfinal phase of the KBL Federation Cup and among the contenders for qualification to the Premier Division National League. British coach
Bob Bootland took charge of the club in mid-90s and worked until 1998.[37]
For several years, Vasco emerged as one of the strongest sides in Goan football and they are well known for signing some quality foreigners. Signing players form
Uzbekistan by them were one of the hot topics as they roped in some players including
Yorqin Nazarov, Anvar Jabborov, Ravshan Teshabaev,
Azamat Abduraimov, Sherzod Nazarov, Kashimov Awazbek.[38][39][40] Vasco has participated in the
National Football League II for several times, and in the 1999–00 season they emerged as runners-up.[41] In the 2001–02 NFL season, the club secured third place, in which Vasco striker Rui Wanderley Weis scored 12 goals.[42][43] In the
2002–03 National Football League, Vasco finished third on league table and they thrashed
HAL SC 8–0, making it the biggest ever win for the club on margin.[44][45] In September 2000, they reached final of Tirur All-India Football Tournament in
Tirur, Kerala, but finished as runners-up, losing 5–4 to
Indian Bank Recreational Club.[46]
Vasco debuted in the I-League during the 2008–09 season, but finished bottom of the table with 10 points in 22 matches.[47] Vasco last competed in the top flight of domestic football during the
2009–10 season.[48] In the
2010 I-League 2nd Division, Vasco entered into the
final round,[49] achieving third place with 13 points from 7 matches.[50] In 2012, Serbian manager Davor Beber was appointed head coach.[51] For the first time in history, Vasco got relegated from
Goa Professional League in
2012–13 Goa Professional League season.[52] In August 2018, they roped in former India international
Micky Fernandes as their new head coach.[53]
In the 2020–21 season,
Goa Football Association held the qualifying tournament through Goa Professional League. After no interest from winners and runners-up, Vasco requested to the state association for nomination for the
2021–22 I-League 2nd Division.[54]
Sponsorship
In 2020, Vasco brought a new title sponsor in the local NRB Group, thus the team became known officially as NRB Vasco.[55][56] The sponsorship was announced in Goan Club House.[57] The team was formerly sponsored by Chowgule Group.[58] The initial deal was of one-year duration which was announced by the NRB managing director Narayan Bandekar, who hope to help the club qualify for the
I-League after years in the 2nd Division.
Vasco SC president Nitin Bandekar and vice-president Vinod Parkot with local Vasco MLA and KYC Chairman Carlos Almeida, Vasco SC CEO Ajay Patil, former club president Vinod Parkot, the ex-Goa FA secretary Savio Messias and Nayan Tara Lima Leitao were attended during the press meeting to let everyone about the sponsorship for the betterment of the management of the club.[59]
Stadium
Vasco S.C. used Tilak Maidan Stadium[60][61] for their home matches of the National Football League,[62] the I-League 2nd Division and the Goa Professional League.[63][64][65][66] They also use
Duler Stadium for some of their home games.[67][68]
Rivalry
Vasco used to have rivalries with its fellow Goa-based clubs including
Dempo S.C. and
Churchill Brothers in regional leagues.[69][70] With another Goan club
Salgaocar, they participate in "Vasco derby".[71]
2021 squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under
FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following Vasco SC players have been capped at full international level, with their respective countries. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.[38]
IndianFootball.com Awards — Team of the Year: 2003[133]
Vasco youth
Vasco has its youth men's teams, which are participating in both regional and nationwide youth tournaments. Club's U-19 team took part in the
I-League U19,[134][135] while U-20 team competes in Taça Goa U-20 Football League.[136] They also operated its U-15 team, which was included in
Manchester United Premier Cup of India for 2006–07 season.[137]
^Mergulhao, Marcus (10 February 2019).
"When Goan football learned its A-B-C-D". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Panaji. TNN.
Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
^"Vasco Club goes commercial". navahindtimes.com. Panaji: The Navahind Times. 16 August 2008. Archived from
the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
^Tuhin, Saifur Rahaman (16 February 2023).
"ঢাকার মাঠ মাতানো বিদেশি ফুটবলাররা" [Those iconic foreign players during the golden days in Dhaka football]. Durbin24.com (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from
the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
"Vasco thump Sporting 3–1". navhindtimes.in. Margao: The Navahind Times. 19 November 2014. Archived from
the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
In 1951, residents from the port town of Vasco da Gama, Goa, including the
Portuguesegarrison stationed there, formed the club called Clube de Desportos Vasco da Gama.[16][17] Tenente Avila became first president of the club.[18] On 1 September of that year, the club earned certification; they became affiliated to the
Associação de Futebol de Goa (GFA) in 1959.[18] It was named after the famous Brazilian club Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, and similar colours were adopted by it.[16] The open fields where the present
Tilak Maidan Stadium and were the practice grounds for the players. Later a club house was built nearby, which still stands today.[19]
Early years
During the last five decades the club participated in most of the major tournaments in India.[20] The sixties and seventies were the most productive years for the club as they won some of the major tournaments during that time (Kerala Trophy, Stafford Cup, Chakola Gold Trophy and Sait-Nagjee Trophy).[21] In 1968, it won the first edition of
Goa Police Cup, and in 1969, it became the first Goan side to win
Sait Nagjee Football Tournament defeating
Border Security Force FC. It failed to win in other tournaments including
Rovers Cup,[22]Bordoloi Trophy and Nehru Memorial Tournament, having lost out in the several finals. In 1970, Vasco again became the first Goan side to win prestigious
Bandodkar Gold Trophy, defeating
Dempo 1–0.[23] During the late-60s and early-70s, Vasco was noted for having famous "A–B–C–D of Indian football", players Andrew D'Souza, Bernard Pereira, Catao Fernandes, and Dominic Pereira.[24][25][26][27] As far as honors at home go, the club won the Goa Professional League title on six occasions starting in 1954 until 1969 and is the oldest registered club still participating in the state's top league competition.[28][29] Vasco also became first Goan club to have won a tournament in
Bombay, the WIFA Championship in 1966.[24]
After two decades of major victories, the 1980s saw a decline in the efficacy of the club in terms of all Indian and state tournaments. However, it retained a prominent position among the top five clubs in Goa. The decline started when Bandekar group withdrew support and there were no new investors to fund the increasing cost of top class players.[30] From 1973 to 1975, Vasco was managed by legendary
Indian goalkeeper
Peter Thangaraj,[31][32] and renowned goalkeeper
E.N. Sudhir played for the club.[33] The club clinched
Stafford Challenge Cup title in 1973.[34][35] Over the last five decades, the club has received a lot of financial help from many philanthropic individuals not only from Goa, but also Goans residing abroad.[36]
Present years
Undaunted, from the mid 1990s, under the leadership of Nõel da Lima Leitão, the club appointed former
S.L. Benfica star
Zeca Miglietti as coach for its training programme. His hard work saw the Club reach the quarterfinal phase of the KBL Federation Cup and among the contenders for qualification to the Premier Division National League. British coach
Bob Bootland took charge of the club in mid-90s and worked until 1998.[37]
For several years, Vasco emerged as one of the strongest sides in Goan football and they are well known for signing some quality foreigners. Signing players form
Uzbekistan by them were one of the hot topics as they roped in some players including
Yorqin Nazarov, Anvar Jabborov, Ravshan Teshabaev,
Azamat Abduraimov, Sherzod Nazarov, Kashimov Awazbek.[38][39][40] Vasco has participated in the
National Football League II for several times, and in the 1999–00 season they emerged as runners-up.[41] In the 2001–02 NFL season, the club secured third place, in which Vasco striker Rui Wanderley Weis scored 12 goals.[42][43] In the
2002–03 National Football League, Vasco finished third on league table and they thrashed
HAL SC 8–0, making it the biggest ever win for the club on margin.[44][45] In September 2000, they reached final of Tirur All-India Football Tournament in
Tirur, Kerala, but finished as runners-up, losing 5–4 to
Indian Bank Recreational Club.[46]
Vasco debuted in the I-League during the 2008–09 season, but finished bottom of the table with 10 points in 22 matches.[47] Vasco last competed in the top flight of domestic football during the
2009–10 season.[48] In the
2010 I-League 2nd Division, Vasco entered into the
final round,[49] achieving third place with 13 points from 7 matches.[50] In 2012, Serbian manager Davor Beber was appointed head coach.[51] For the first time in history, Vasco got relegated from
Goa Professional League in
2012–13 Goa Professional League season.[52] In August 2018, they roped in former India international
Micky Fernandes as their new head coach.[53]
In the 2020–21 season,
Goa Football Association held the qualifying tournament through Goa Professional League. After no interest from winners and runners-up, Vasco requested to the state association for nomination for the
2021–22 I-League 2nd Division.[54]
Sponsorship
In 2020, Vasco brought a new title sponsor in the local NRB Group, thus the team became known officially as NRB Vasco.[55][56] The sponsorship was announced in Goan Club House.[57] The team was formerly sponsored by Chowgule Group.[58] The initial deal was of one-year duration which was announced by the NRB managing director Narayan Bandekar, who hope to help the club qualify for the
I-League after years in the 2nd Division.
Vasco SC president Nitin Bandekar and vice-president Vinod Parkot with local Vasco MLA and KYC Chairman Carlos Almeida, Vasco SC CEO Ajay Patil, former club president Vinod Parkot, the ex-Goa FA secretary Savio Messias and Nayan Tara Lima Leitao were attended during the press meeting to let everyone about the sponsorship for the betterment of the management of the club.[59]
Stadium
Vasco S.C. used Tilak Maidan Stadium[60][61] for their home matches of the National Football League,[62] the I-League 2nd Division and the Goa Professional League.[63][64][65][66] They also use
Duler Stadium for some of their home games.[67][68]
Rivalry
Vasco used to have rivalries with its fellow Goa-based clubs including
Dempo S.C. and
Churchill Brothers in regional leagues.[69][70] With another Goan club
Salgaocar, they participate in "Vasco derby".[71]
2021 squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under
FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following Vasco SC players have been capped at full international level, with their respective countries. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.[38]
IndianFootball.com Awards — Team of the Year: 2003[133]
Vasco youth
Vasco has its youth men's teams, which are participating in both regional and nationwide youth tournaments. Club's U-19 team took part in the
I-League U19,[134][135] while U-20 team competes in Taça Goa U-20 Football League.[136] They also operated its U-15 team, which was included in
Manchester United Premier Cup of India for 2006–07 season.[137]
^Mergulhao, Marcus (10 February 2019).
"When Goan football learned its A-B-C-D". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Panaji. TNN.
Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
^"Vasco Club goes commercial". navahindtimes.com. Panaji: The Navahind Times. 16 August 2008. Archived from
the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
^Tuhin, Saifur Rahaman (16 February 2023).
"ঢাকার মাঠ মাতানো বিদেশি ফুটবলাররা" [Those iconic foreign players during the golden days in Dhaka football]. Durbin24.com (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from
the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
"Vasco thump Sporting 3–1". navhindtimes.in. Margao: The Navahind Times. 19 November 2014. Archived from
the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2019.