Described as one of the most talented and youngest sides in I-League,[14][15] Viva Kerala was one of the unluckiest sides in domestic league history.[16][17] The club was briefly managed by noted Indian coach T. K. Chatunni.[18][19] They got dissolved in 2012.
History
Formation and journey
Chirag United Club Kerala was formed on 8 August 2004 in
Kochi.[20][21] The club officially took off on 19 August in a ceremony at the FACT grounds. The team was predominantly formed by a group of businessmen who felt the need for the state's representation in country's domestic top flight league, the
National Football League (NFL).[22] Viva Kerala's name is the result of a contest, won by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of
Ernakulam.[23] The club became registered with Ernakulam District Football Association.[24] Later known as "Chirag Kerala", the club won the 2005–06 season of
Kerala State Football League,[25] it's only regional title. In September 2006, they emerged victorious in Tirur All-India Football Tournament in
Tirur, beating
Travancore Titanium XI 1–0.[26] They also reached the final of E. K. Nayanar Memorial Football Gold Cup in 2007 but lost at the end to the visiting Ghanaian club
Nania Accra, by 3–0 margin.[27]
In 2007, the opportunity for an NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL.[28] Viva Kerala surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase.[29] In the final phase, they finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the I-League 2007–08 on 6 April 2007.[23][30] The club along with
Salgaocar, were relegated to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2007–08, for the first time in the league history.[31] In the next season, Viva Kerala were promoted to the
2009–10 I-League,[32][33][34][35][36] after finishing runners-up in
2009 I-League 2nd Division.[37][38][39] In 2010, it was announced that I-League clubs needed to complete the AFC club licensing criteria; Viva Kerala signed P. K. Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new head coach.[40] In August 2011, Chirag Computers was announced as the to be new majority owners and the club name would change to Chirag United Club Kerala.[23]
NP pradeep and Chintha Chandrashekhar Rao of Chirag United in 2011Karma Tsewang with Chirag after a match in 2011
In June 2011, Kolkata-based Chirag Computers bought the financially troubled Viva Kerala. They took over a 60% stake in the club while original owners retained a 40% stake. They also changed the name of the club to Chirag United Club Kerala.[41] Chirag Computers have also said that they might move the team to
Kolkata if they do not find a suitable stadium in
Kerala.[42] The name of the team was officially changed to Chirag United Club Kerala on 6 August 2011. While the new owners announced that team will be based in Kerala for the
2011–12 I-League, there were talks of shifting the team to Kolkata after the season. This would leave the state of Kerala without representation in the
I-League.[43] Many supporters of the club had come out strongly against this idea.
Chirag was eliminated from the Federation Cup in the group stages when they lost all three group D matches;[44] Team coach K. P. Kunhikrishan was replaced by Sri Lankan manager
Mohamed Nizam Packeer Ally.[45][46] He guided the team in I-League.[47] Pakir was sacked in February after a poor run; Ananta Kumar Ghosh was appointed coach while
Biswajit Bhattacharya was appointed technical director.[48] Chirag finished second to last at 12th in the 2011–12 I-League season, Pailan Arrows had finished 13th were exempted from relegation as a "developmental team", and so Chirag relegated.[49][50][51][52][53] Though in that season, they achieved fame after giving a tough fight to
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club
Botafogo in their 1–0 defeat at a group stage match in
2012 IFA Shield.[2] Players may have had difficulty being paid when Chirag Computers may not have released sponsorship money to the club, and the reason why club got dissolved.[54][55][56][57]
The Chirag crest was very colourful. It shows a yellow shield with the words "Chirag United Kerala", which is imposed over a
Coconut tree and a
Soccer ball.[58][59]
The club was established in 2004 by a group of businessmen with an objective to represent
Kerala in higher circles of
domestic football in India.[70] Interestingly, the name of the club was arrived upon through a public contest organised by the promoters of the club.[71][72]
The club was run by Musli Power X-tra Kunnath Pharmaceuticals. In July 2011, Chirag Computers came in and brought full stake in the club, changing the name to "Chirag United Club Kerala".[73][74][75]
The following foreign players of Viva Kerala have been capped at senior/youth international level, with their respective countries. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.
^Sharma, Sukalp (31 May 2010).
"India's biggest league". The Financial Express. India. Archived from
the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Karouri, Khaled (28 August 2011).
"Que devient Mohamed Kallon?" [What becomes of Mohamed Kallon?] (in French). Archived from
the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
"Josco FC to build soccer city". newindianexpress.com. Kochi: The New Indian Express. 26 March 2010. Archived from
the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
Described as one of the most talented and youngest sides in I-League,[14][15] Viva Kerala was one of the unluckiest sides in domestic league history.[16][17] The club was briefly managed by noted Indian coach T. K. Chatunni.[18][19] They got dissolved in 2012.
History
Formation and journey
Chirag United Club Kerala was formed on 8 August 2004 in
Kochi.[20][21] The club officially took off on 19 August in a ceremony at the FACT grounds. The team was predominantly formed by a group of businessmen who felt the need for the state's representation in country's domestic top flight league, the
National Football League (NFL).[22] Viva Kerala's name is the result of a contest, won by Dr. P Ramakrishnan of
Ernakulam.[23] The club became registered with Ernakulam District Football Association.[24] Later known as "Chirag Kerala", the club won the 2005–06 season of
Kerala State Football League,[25] it's only regional title. In September 2006, they emerged victorious in Tirur All-India Football Tournament in
Tirur, beating
Travancore Titanium XI 1–0.[26] They also reached the final of E. K. Nayanar Memorial Football Gold Cup in 2007 but lost at the end to the visiting Ghanaian club
Nania Accra, by 3–0 margin.[27]
In 2007, the opportunity for an NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL.[28] Viva Kerala surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase.[29] In the final phase, they finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the I-League 2007–08 on 6 April 2007.[23][30] The club along with
Salgaocar, were relegated to 2nd division at the end of I-league 2007–08, for the first time in the league history.[31] In the next season, Viva Kerala were promoted to the
2009–10 I-League,[32][33][34][35][36] after finishing runners-up in
2009 I-League 2nd Division.[37][38][39] In 2010, it was announced that I-League clubs needed to complete the AFC club licensing criteria; Viva Kerala signed P. K. Kunhikrishnan (A-licensed coach) as the new head coach.[40] In August 2011, Chirag Computers was announced as the to be new majority owners and the club name would change to Chirag United Club Kerala.[23]
NP pradeep and Chintha Chandrashekhar Rao of Chirag United in 2011Karma Tsewang with Chirag after a match in 2011
In June 2011, Kolkata-based Chirag Computers bought the financially troubled Viva Kerala. They took over a 60% stake in the club while original owners retained a 40% stake. They also changed the name of the club to Chirag United Club Kerala.[41] Chirag Computers have also said that they might move the team to
Kolkata if they do not find a suitable stadium in
Kerala.[42] The name of the team was officially changed to Chirag United Club Kerala on 6 August 2011. While the new owners announced that team will be based in Kerala for the
2011–12 I-League, there were talks of shifting the team to Kolkata after the season. This would leave the state of Kerala without representation in the
I-League.[43] Many supporters of the club had come out strongly against this idea.
Chirag was eliminated from the Federation Cup in the group stages when they lost all three group D matches;[44] Team coach K. P. Kunhikrishan was replaced by Sri Lankan manager
Mohamed Nizam Packeer Ally.[45][46] He guided the team in I-League.[47] Pakir was sacked in February after a poor run; Ananta Kumar Ghosh was appointed coach while
Biswajit Bhattacharya was appointed technical director.[48] Chirag finished second to last at 12th in the 2011–12 I-League season, Pailan Arrows had finished 13th were exempted from relegation as a "developmental team", and so Chirag relegated.[49][50][51][52][53] Though in that season, they achieved fame after giving a tough fight to
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club
Botafogo in their 1–0 defeat at a group stage match in
2012 IFA Shield.[2] Players may have had difficulty being paid when Chirag Computers may not have released sponsorship money to the club, and the reason why club got dissolved.[54][55][56][57]
The Chirag crest was very colourful. It shows a yellow shield with the words "Chirag United Kerala", which is imposed over a
Coconut tree and a
Soccer ball.[58][59]
The club was established in 2004 by a group of businessmen with an objective to represent
Kerala in higher circles of
domestic football in India.[70] Interestingly, the name of the club was arrived upon through a public contest organised by the promoters of the club.[71][72]
The club was run by Musli Power X-tra Kunnath Pharmaceuticals. In July 2011, Chirag Computers came in and brought full stake in the club, changing the name to "Chirag United Club Kerala".[73][74][75]
The following foreign players of Viva Kerala have been capped at senior/youth international level, with their respective countries. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.
^Sharma, Sukalp (31 May 2010).
"India's biggest league". The Financial Express. India. Archived from
the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^Karouri, Khaled (28 August 2011).
"Que devient Mohamed Kallon?" [What becomes of Mohamed Kallon?] (in French). Archived from
the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
"Josco FC to build soccer city". newindianexpress.com. Kochi: The New Indian Express. 26 March 2010. Archived from
the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.