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The anxiety and expectations are palpable as the excitement reaches fever pitch with just a day to go to the opening kick-off of the much anticipated Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Sourav Ganguly’s Atletico de Kolkata will lock horns with Ranbir Kapoor’s Mumbai City FC in the opening game tomorrow at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.Mumbai are one of the favourites for the title in the inaugural season of the ISL. The team has performed well in its warm-up games as well, winning every single one of them.As its players prepare for their big opening clash tomorrow, here are five things you need to know about the club that is Mumbai City FC.
#1 Deconstructing the teams logo
The image of the local train stands out in the team crest of Mumbai City FC. But that apart there are other elements associated with the city ingrained as well in the logo.
The fort-like designs on top are reflections of a resilient fortress that stands proudly reflecting the determined spirit of the city. The seven stars symbolise the islands that form Mumbai and of course the Mumbai local train, known as Mumbai's lifeline, which represents the city’s forever bustling, energetic nature.
#2 Captain Nabi
India regular Syed Rahim Nabi has been named the captain of Mumbai City FC for the tournament. Former Germany international Manuel Friedrich has been named the vice-captain and will serve as Nabi’s deputy.
Coach Peter Reid mentioned Nabi’s leadership and communication skills as traits that led to his appointment as captain – “From the couple of weeks I have worked with the team, I have found him a natural leader, good communicator and a bubbly character within the dressing room. I think Nabi has great experience and knowledge of the game. Manuel Friedrich would be the vice-captain.”
Nabi has been one of the stars of the senior team in recent years and he will look to play a similar role for Mumbai City FC leading from the front as captain.
#3 A cricket stadium as their home ground
Many would have thought that Mumbai would play their home games at the famed Cooperage ground (as the case with other Mumbai teams such as Mahindra United and Mumbai FC), but instead they will be playing their home games at the 55,000 seat capacity, modern D.Y. Patil Stadium in Nerul, Navi Mumbai.
#4 Peter Reid A decorated player and coach
Mumbai’s Head Coach has ties to the widely popular English Premier League having managed the ‘Black Cats’ Sunderland and Leeds United. But what many would not know is that Reid had quite the distinguished playing career too.
Playing as a defensive midfielder, Reid had a long and successful career in the top flight of English football majorly with Bolton Wanderers (225 appearances, 23 goals) where he spent nine seasons before signing for Everton (159 appearances, 8 goals) where he played another eight seasons and enjoyed the most successful phase of his career. He also won 13 caps for England.
Achievements with Everton
FA Cup: 1984
Football League First Division (now the Premier League): 1984–85, 1986–87
Charity Shield: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
European Cup Winners' Cup: 1985
While playing for Everton, Reid was voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1985 and finished fourth in the World Player of the Year award race behind only Michel Platini, Preben Elkjaer and Diego Maradona!
His managerial career began with a player/manager stint at City before going on to manage Sunderland in 1995. He did very well at the Stadium of Light, twice getting the Black Cats promoted to the Premier League and even managed two 7th place finishes in the top flight. Reid won the LMA Manager of the Year award for 1996 for helping Sunderland win the First Division and to date is one of only three winners to not be from the Premier League.
Later on, he did a world of good as Leeds interim manager helping them avoid relegation and stay on in the Premier League in 2003.
#5 Grassroots program
Ever since the announcement of the ISL and in the build-up to the tournament, we have heard numerous people come out and say that this is going to revolutionize and improve football in India in a big way. How? Nobody really know…
That said, Mumbai City FC are one of the clubs to have instituted a grassroots development programme to pursue precisely that vision.
The Mumbai City FC’s Grass Roots Development Program aims to reach out, assist and provide support to over hundred schools, institutions and clubs actively engaged in the game of football across the city.
