Rush Sports Pvt. Ltd. recently announced the launch of the Football Fives League in Bangalore. The league will feature 10 teams from all across the city competing to take home the coveted trophy.
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Each team will play matches at their home arenas as well as away in the first of its kind city-based franchise league for amateurs. The winner of the Bangalore leg of the FFL will then travel to other cities to play their away games.
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While some of the teams have represented the nation in tournaments in the past, few of them are just emerging and will look at the FFL as an opportunity to gain experience on the big stage. Each team will consist of 12 players with only 5 being allowed to take to the field at any particular instant.
Most of the teams have already finalised their rosters but a couple remain that are yet to hold trials. The team owners and players were present at the launch and gave an overview of their aspirations for the competition.
The first season of the FFL will feature 10 teams with future editions set to allow additional entries. Each team will play matches at home as well as away. The halves are 20 minutes long with a 5-10 minute half-time break.
The 10 teams for this year's addition are given below:
1) Barefoot FC
Owned by Calvyn Marshall, Barefoot FC is one of the dark horses for this year’s tournament. Marshall is a famous name in the amateur football arena and plans to nurture youngsters and give them the opportunity to shine.
He also feels that the FFL idea is one to be proud of. “First when I met Harsha I had no clue what FFL was. I was approached to take Tiento as a venue. Harsha then explained to me what the plan was and the first thing that struck me was getting all these players experienced, training every day and playing for a club which other tournaments do not do,” he said.
He went on to say, “First thing that came to my mind was getting a team together and giving the youngsters an opportunity to play for the club. The fact that something like this gives players a lot of exposure as to how clubs run and how to be disciplined and the pay they get for each game.”
Calvyn, who is one of the leading football promoters in the city is still undecided about his final team. “Initially we got a team immediately but having seen the other franchises we have already changed it thrice. All teams are dangerous and worth looking out for.”
Barefoot FC will play their home games at Tiento.
2) Fairplay FC
Fairplay FC, also underdogs for this edition, are owned by Gopal. Gopal, who is currently starting his own arena in JP Nagar feels that the FFL would help spread awareness and aid development of the amateur culture in India. “It will build more exposure”, he said. “First year we will have to make a team but next year onwards people will come to us and want to play for us.”
“People are really excited. They are not used to the format and it takes time to explain and understand. It’s extremely professional”, he went on to add.
Fairplay FC will have a selection this Saturday before finalising their team.
3) Football Aura
Football Aura is one of the favourites for the tournament. The amateur football team have played in a number of prior tournaments and finished runners-up for the World Cup qualifiers last year.
Captained by Sharan, Aura was founded by a group of friends which is a major reason for their success so far. “We worked in one organisation playing corporate tournaments and we wanted to stick around and play as a unit. That's how Aura came about,” said Sharan. “We have won in a number of cities including Bangalore and Mumbai. The FFL gives us a platform to play as a team, as a franchise. We are really looking forward to it.”
The players are unwilling to consider themselves favourites though and insist that each team possesses a threat. “We have played along with the other teams as well as against them. Let’s take it one game at a time and see what happens.” said the captain.
Football Aura will play their home matches at KOG.
4) Super Park FC
Super Park FC are one of the teams to watch out for this season. Owned by Sais and Bejoi, the club has an interesting approach to the tournament. ”I take only youngsters between 14 and 17,” said Bejoi. “I want them to be the future and grow and I want to see at least two players playing for India. That is my aim.”
Super Park’s home games will be played in an arena in Yelahanka.
5) Joga Bonito FC
Owned by XLR8 arena, Joga Bonito FC has represented India on two occasions previously and are responsible for driving the five-a-side culture in the nation. Considered one of the favourites for the tournament, they will be playing their home games at XLR8.
6) Bullring Matadors
The Matadors were one of the first teams to come on board with the concept of the FFL. Their owner Nikhil, who has been a part of a number of successful business ventures is extremely excited about the FFL. ”It is extremely exciting. I love sport. Something like this is there in every footballing nation in the world. Initiatives like this will do something for football here in India for sure,” he gushed.
The Matadors are one of the few teams to have finalised their squads but Nikhil feels that there is still work to be done. “The team’s frozen. We have got a great team and trying to introduce new concepts to them,” he said.
“They are great players but everybody can learn. The idea is to introduce new concepts.”
7) Al-Fateh FC
Probably the best club in the league, Al-Fateh FC have a number of star players. The side is captained by Zaib who played in the Premier Futsal League for Bangalore earlier this year.
The owner of Al-Fateh felt that the FFL was a great initiative and stated that his team plans to go out and have fun. “First of all, it is a great event and initiative. Coming into franchise mode is itself next level for everyone,” he said.
“We made the team 6 years back. I was 25,” he added. ” We made a team and played at XLR8. Thanks to them we have a great team and captain Zaib. Alfateh is Arabic for victory and I'm sure all of the teams are tough and we’ll have to be at our best. Let’s compete and have fun.”
Al-Fateh will play their home games at Active Arena.
8) Friends United
Probably the dark horses of this year’s campaign, Friends United, like Aura, are an amateur club who created waves by winning a number of tournaments over the past few months.
With players like Chelston, Shiv and Kishore, they boast a star-studded lineup and have just one goal in mind, victory.
“We started playing together a couple of years back. As the name suggests we are all friends and we formed the club,” Chelston stated. “Coming to the tournament we are here to have fun . Most of the teams are known. We have played with as well as against them on a number of occasions.”
Chelston also felt that despite their friendships off the pitch, each and every player on their team would push that aside once they enter the playing field and would play hard and play to win.
Friends United will use Astro Arena as a fortress for their home games.
9) Hot Fut South United
A rather interesting choice of name, Hot Fut South United came together as a collaboration between Hot Fut, one of the leading football infrastructure companies in India and second division I-League side South United.
One of the later entries to the league, Hot Fut trials are still pending and the club is open to new entries.
Hot Fut will play their home games at Hotfut in Sarjapur Road and will be holding trials next week.
10) West Block FC
Last but not least is West Block FC, a fan club of Bengaluru FC.
West Block is a team without an owner and the club is completely controlled by the fans. Designated spokesperson for the night Rakesh said, ”We don't have an owner. We are the fans. All West Block, All BFC.”
“We had a trial last Sunday. 289 people showed. These are all people who come cheer with us. We might be the least experienced side in the league but knowing West Block we will put up a fight. “ he went on to add
Regarding possible safety issues for West Block matches, he said jokingly, “As long as you're not from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, you will be pretty safe.”
The FFL is set to commence on 17 September and will be streamed live on Facebook.
