Gokulam Kerala
Full nameGokulam Kerala Football Club
Nickname(s)Malabarians[1]
Short nameGKFC
FoundedJanuary 2017; 7 years ago (2017-01) (as Gokulam FC)
GroundEMS Stadium
Capacity35,000
OwnerSree Gokulam Group
PresidentV. C. Praveen
Head coachAntonio Rueda Fernández
LeagueI-League
2023–24I-League, 3rd of 13
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Gokulam Kerala Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kozhikode, Kerala.[2] Founded in 2017,[3] the club competes in the I-League, the second tier of Indian football league system.[4][5][6] They won the 2020–21 I-League title to become the first ever club from Kerala to do so, and became the first team to defend the league title in 2021–22.[7][8] Gokulam is also the first and so far the only club from the state to qualify for a continental competition, AFC Cup, in 2022.[9][10]

Nicknamed Malabarians, Gokulam Kerala represents the state of Kerala, predominantly its Malabar region.[1][11][12] Affiliated with Kerala Football Association (KFA), club's reserve team competes in Kerala Premier League, and clinched titles in 2017–18,[13] and 2020–21.[14] They also won the 129th edition of the Durand Cup, becoming one of only two sides from Kerala that has won the competition.[15] The women's section of the club participates in the Indian Women's League.[16]

History

Formation and early years (2017–2020)

Gokulam Kerala was founded in January 2017.[17] The club then went on to participate in Awes Cup in Goa, in which they finished the campaign as runners-up.[18] On 20 September, after the second round of bidding invitations, the bid evaluation committee decided to award Sree Gokulam Group the right to field their team in the Hero I-League 2017–18 season onwards from Calicut, Kerala.[19][20] Although the club did not have a good beginning, they went on to defeat clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Minerva Punjab by the end of the season. Gokulam Kerala hired Spaniard Fernando Santiago Varela as head coach in March 2018.[21]

On 15 March 2018, Gokulam played the Super Cup qualifiers against North East United FC and was qualified with a 2-goal victory.[22] In the pre-quarterfinals of the Super Cup on 1 April 2018, they were leading against Bengaluru by 0–1 until 60 minutes with a goal scored by the striker Henry Kisekka but Bengaluru scored a stoppage time goal which led to a defeat of 2–1.[23] Gokulam in 2019, for the first time went abroad and participated at the 2019 Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup in Bangladesh,[24][25][26] where they qualified for the Semi-finals after finishing 2nd in Group B. Gokulam finished as semifinalist after losing 3–2 to Chittagong Abahani.[27][28][29] Gokulam Kerala won their maiden title under the coaching of Fernando Santiago Varela, the 129th edition of the Durand Cup on 24 August 2019, defeating Mohun Bagan 2–1 in Kolkata.[30][31][32]

2020–present

Gokulam Kerala won the 2020–21 I-League by defeating TRAU FC in the final game.[33][34] With 29 points from 15 games, they qualified for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage.[35][36][37] In April 2021, Gokulam Kerala emerged as the champions of the 2020–21 Kerala Premier League, defeating KSEB FC 2–1 at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium.[38][39] They began their 2021–22 I-League season on 26 December with 1–0 win against Churchill Brothers. They later thrashed Real Kashmir by 5–1.[40] After back to back wins in both the group and championship stages,[41][42][43][44][45] the club clinched I-League title again in 2021–22 season,[46] defeating Mohammedan Sporting 2–1 in the final game at the Salt Lake Stadium on 14 May, and became the first club in fifteen years to defend a national league title.[47][48]

At the 2022 AFC Cup group-stage opener, the club achieved a historic 4–2 win against Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan.[49][50] Later, they were defeated 1–0 by Maldivian side Maziya S&RC,[51] 1–2 by Bangladeshi side Bashundhara Kings respectively, and knocked out of the tournament.[52] On July 5, the club officially announced that they roped in former Cameroonian international Richard Towa as new head coach.[53] Due to not maintaining good form in league marches, the club parted ways with Towa and roped in Spanish manager Francesc Bonet in place of him.[54][55]

Gokulam Kerala players (in maroon) in action against TRAU, during a home match in Kozhikode, in the 2023–24 I-League season.

In April 2023, the club took part in 3rd edition of Indian Super Cup.[56] Gokulam Kerala secured third place in 2023–24 I-League season, finishing their campaign with 42 points in 24 matches.[57] On 18 April, the club roped in Antonio Rueda Fernández as new head coach.[57]

Stadiums

Fans of Gokulam Kerala at the EMS Stadium during an I-League match in 2017

EMS Stadium, located in the heart of Calicut, is used as home ground of Gokulam Kerala.[58][59] West stand is the largest block that can accommodate most spectators, while the capacity of the stadium is limited to 50,000.

The club also used Kottappadi Stadium in Malappuram for training purposes.[60] Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium previously served as club's home venue for matches of Kerala Premier League.[61] In May 2023, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation decided not to renew the contract for matches at the EMS Stadium.[62][63]

Supporters

Kerala is a state known for its passionate football fans.[64] Football in Northern Kerala (known as Malabar Coastal Region) has arguably one of the most passionate fanbase in the state.[65][66] "GKFC Battalia" is one of the largest supporters' group of Gokulam Kerala FC.[67][68] Another noted supporters' group of the club named "GKFC Ultras" is also in existence.[69]

Rivalry

Rivalry with Kolkata clubs

An I-League encounter between Gokulam Kerala and Mohun Bagan at the EMS Stadium in 2019

Gokulam Kerala is known for pathbreaking the Kolkata clubs, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan in some major matches in I-League and Durand Cup.[70][71] Gokulam Kerala won the 2019 Durand Cup by defeating East Bengal in the semi-final and Mohun Bagan in the final. They also defeated Mohammedan in the deciding last match of 2021–22 I-League to clinch their consecutive league title. Both the states, Kerala and West Bengal, are two dominant powerhouses of Indian Football.

Rivalry with Kerala United

Gokulam Kerala enjoys an on-field rivalry with another Kozhikode based side Kerala United (previously Quartz Calicut).[72] The first match between the two teams took place in the group stage of 2017–18 Kerala Premier League, where Quartz Calicut were winners.

After the purchase of Kerala united FC by the owners of Sheffield United, the first match took place in 2020–21 Kerala Premier League semifinal. The match ended goalless and Gokulam won 4–2 on penalties.[73]

Results

Date Competition Venue Score Kerala United FC scorers Gokulam Kerala scorers Attendance
19 April 2021 2020–21 Kerala Premier League Maharaja's College Stadium, Ernakulam 0–0
3 June 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League Municipal Corporation Stadium, Thrissur 0–2 Brian Umony, Arjun Jayaraj
10 May 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Stadium, Calicut 0–2 Mohamed Salah, Usman Ashik
25 April 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Stadium, Calicut 3–2 Emmanuel Aidoo Sushanth Mathew, Mama

Rivalry with Kerala Blasters

For the first time in history, Gokulam Kerala faced Kerala Blasters in the "Kerala Derby" at group stage of the 132nd edition of Durand Cup on 13 August 2023, in which they defeated the ISL side by 4–3.[74][75][76]

Crest, colours & kits

Crest

Theyyam is a popular ritual form of worship in North Kerala

The club crest incorporates elements from historical Theyyam,[77] a famous ritual art form that originated in northern Kerala.[78] It encompasses dance, mime and music. The crest was unveiled in January 2017, by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and football legend I. M. Vijayan.[79]

Colours

Players of Gokulam Kerala in home kit, celebrating after a goal scored in a home match of the 2023–24 I-League season.
Gokulam Kerala's Muhammed Saheef in away kit (green) during an I-League match in 2023–24 season

During the early days they used yellow and red coloured home kit. From 2018–19 season onwards, maroon was used as primary colour for home kit.

Kit evolution

2017–2018
2018–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021
2021–2022

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Main sponsor Back sponsor Chest sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2017–2018 Kaizen Sports[80] Aachi Group[81]
2018–2019 Aqualine PVC Pipes[82]
2019–2020 Sree Gokulam Group CSB Bank[83] Gokulam Gokulam Madinah
2020–2021 SEGA[84] Federal Bank
2021–2023 CSB Bank[84] Sree Gokulam Group Federal Bank[81] Multiple[81]
2023–present Do's[85]

Players

Main article: List of Gokulam Kerala F.C. players

First-team squad

As of 1 February 2024[86]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK India IND Bishorjit Singh
2 DF India IND Salam Ranjan Singh
3 DF India IND Saurabh Meher
4 DF India IND Vikas Saini
5 DF India IND Nidhin Krishna
6 MF India IND Rishad PP
7 FW Tajikistan TJK Komron Tursunov
8 FW India IND Sreekuttan VS (vice-captain)
9 FW India IND Senthamil S
10 MF Spain ESP Pitu Viera
11 FW India IND Sourav K
12 DF India IND Laishram Johnson Singh
15 DF India IND Abdul Hakku
17 DF Cameroon CMR Aminou Bouba
20 MF Serbia SRB Nikola Stojanović
21 GK India IND Avilash Paul
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 FW India IND Shijin Thadhayouse
25 FW Serbia SRB Matija Babović
29 FW India IND Noufal PN
33 DF India IND Muhammad Saheef (on loan from Kerala Blasters)
35 GK India IND Devansh Dabas (on loan from Chennaiyin)
42 MF India IND Abhijith Kurungodan
44 MF India IND Basit Ahmed Bhat
45 DF India IND Anas Edathodika
46 MF India IND Christy Davis
66 DF India IND Mashoor Shereef
77 MF India IND Lalliansanga Renthlei (on loan from Odisha)
93 MF India IND Akhil Praveen
— MF India IND Calvin Rosario Baretto
— MF India IND Basudeb Mandi
— FW Maldives MDV Zain Zafar

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF India IND Arjun Jayaraj (at SC Bengaluru until 31 May 2024)
— MF India IND Dilip Oraon (at United SC until 31 May 2024)

Gokulam Kerala FC Reserves

Further information: Gokulam Kerala FC (Reserves)

Honours

Domestic

League

Cup

Invitational

Technical staff

Current technical staff

Role Name
Head coach India Shareef Khan
Assistant coach India Sereef Khan
Goalkeeping coach India Sandip Nandy
Strength and conditioning coach
Team manager India Aravind A. R.

Notable players

See also: Category:Gokulam Kerala FC players

The following Gokulam Kerala players have been capped at full international level. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.

   

Managerial history

Fernando Santiago Varela gave Gokulam Kerala their first major title, Durand Cup in 2019.
Vincenzo Alberto Annese,[121] Most successful head coach of Gokulam Kerala. He had won two I-League titles consecutively in two seasons, 2020–21 and 2021–22.

Head coach's record

As of 19 April 2024
Name Nationality From To P W D L GF GA Win% Ref.
Bino George  India 8 October 2017 26 February 2019 40 10 11 19 45 58 025.00 [122]
Gift Raikhan  India 26 February 2019 1 July 2019 3 1 0 2 4 6 033.33 [123]
Fernando Santiago Varela  Spain 1 July 2019 16 June 2020 20 11 4 5 25 10 055.00 [124]
Vincenzo Alberto Annese  Italy 19 August 2020 1 June 2022 40 25 7 8 90 42 062.50 [125]
Richard Towa  Cameroon 5 July 2022 22 December 2022 9 4 3 2 7 3 044.44 [53]
Francesc Bonet  Spain 27 December 2022 31 May 2023 16 8 0 8 27 24 050.00 [126]
Domingo Oramas  Spain June 2023 31 March 2024 29 12 7 10 54 44 041.38 [127]
Shareef Khan (interim coach)  India 31 March 2024 18 April 2024 2 2 0 0 9 1 100.00 [128]
Antonio Rueda Fernández  Spain 18 April 2024 present 0 0 0 0 0 0 !— [57]

Statistics and records

Main article: List of Gokulam Kerala FC records and statistics

Season statistics

As of 13 April 2024
Season Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA Pts. Super Cup Durand Cup AFC Cup
2017–18 I-League 7 18 6 3 9 17 23 21 Round of 16 – –
2018–19 I-League 10 20 3 8 9 25 33 17 DNP – DNQ
2019–20 I-League 5 15 6 4 5 20 19 22 Cancelled[a] Champions DNQ
2020–21 I-League 1 15 9 2 4 31 17 29 Cancelled[b] Cancelled[c] DNQ
2021–22 I-League 1 18 13 4 1 44 15 43 Cancelled Quarter-finals Group Stage
2022–23 I-League 3 22 12 3 7 26 14 39 Group Stage DNP DNQ
2023–24 I-League 3 24 12 6 6 55 34 42 Group Stage Quarter-finals DNQ
  1. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the I-League matches were cancelled after 14 March 2020, and Gokulam Kerala were positioned 5th in the points table after 15 match. The Super Cup wasn't also held for the lockdown and Durand Cup was promoted to the de facto league cup.
  2. ^ Due to a busy schedule of the India national football team, the Super Cup was cancelled.
  3. ^ Due to Covid-19 pandemic 2020–21 Durand Cup season cancelled.

Most appearances

As of 12 April 2024
Name Period I-League Super Cup Durand Cup IFA Shield Others AFC Cup Appearances
Cameroon Aminou Bouba 2021– 51 07 08 05 01[a] 03 75
India Sreekuttan VS 2021– 56 07 04 00 01[a] 03 71
India Thahir Zaman 2021–2023 43 04 00 03 01[a] 03 54
India Noufal PN 2022– 42 06 04 00 01[a] 00 53
India Muhammed Rashid 2017–2022 35 01 05 03 04[b] 00 48
India Rishad PP 2021– 33 02 04 03 00 03 45
India Sourav K 2021– 29 07 06 01 01[a] 01 45
India Emil Benny 2020–2022 32 00 03 05 00 03 43
Afghanistan Sharif Mukhammad 2020–2022 30 00 04 03 00 03 40
India Arjun Jayaraj 2017–2019, 2022– 37 02 01 00 00 00 40
  1. ^ a b c d e play–offs for AFC Cup
  2. ^ Sheikh Kamal Cup

Club captains

Gokulam Kerala captain Álex Sánchez in 2024
Period Name
2017–2018 India Sushanth Mathew
2018–2019 Uganda Musa Mudde
2019 Ghana Daniel Addo
2019–2020 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph
2020–2021 Ghana Mohamed Awal[129]
2021–2022 Afghanistan Sharif Mukhammad[130]
2022–2023 Cameroon Aminou Bouba
2023–2024 Spain Álex Sánchez

Top scorers

As of 13 April 2024
  Still active team players are highlighted
Top scorers record
# Player Career I-League Super Cup Durand Cup IFA Shield Sheikh Kamal Cup AFC Cup Total
1 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph 2019–2020 14 0 11 0 1 0 26
2 Spain Álex Sánchez 2023-2024 19 1 0 0 0 0 20
3 Uganda Henry Kisekka 2017–2018, 2019–2020 9 3 1 0 3 0 16
4 Ghana Denny Antwi 2020-2021 11 0 0 4 0 0 15
4 Slovenia Luka Majcen 2022 13 0 0 0 0 2 15
5 Jamaica Jourdaine Fletcher 2022 9 0 0 0 0 1 10

Performance in AFC competitions

See also: Indian football clubs in Asian competitions
2022: Group Stage
Season Competition Round Club Score Position Top scorer
2022 AFC Cup Group D[131] India ATK Mohun Bagan 4–2 4th in Group stage Slovenia Luka Majcen
(2 goals)
Maldives Maziya S&RC 0–1
Bangladesh Bashundhara Kings 1–2

Affiliated club(s)

The following club is currently affiliated with Gokulam Kerala FC:

See also

References

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