Hindustan Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in New Delhi. Affiliated with Football Delhi (FD), the club last participated in Delhi Premier League. Founded in 1948, Hindustan predominantly participated in I-League 2nd Division, which was then second tier of Indian football league system. They use Ambedkar Stadium as home ground, in addition to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for selected matches.

History

Formation and early history

Hindustan FC was founded in 1948 in New Delhi. Thus it, owned and run by Bengalis, became one of the oldest football clubs in the capital city of India. The club has been affiliated with Delhi Soccer Association (DSA), which is now known as Football Delhi, and participate in the DSA Senior Division league (now named Delhi Premier League). They for the first time lifted the regional league title in 2001–02 season, while club's goalkeeper Salim Ansari was presented the player of the year award. In November 2002, Hindustan participated in the inaugural edition of Delhi Lt. Governor's Cup and reached to the semi-finals. The club later competed in the National Football League Second Division continuously in 2004–05, 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, but were not granted the permission of joining the newly formed I-League II (then second-tier) for not fulfilling the AFC club licensing criteria. In 2007, Hindustan FC roped in their first foreign coach, Bernard Operanozie from Nigeria. Hindustan clinched their second DSA Senior Division title in 2009 season as co-winners with Indian National FC.

Present years

Hindustan Football Academy was started by the former club chairman D. K. Bose, and they roped in Spanish professional coach Óscar Bruzón on board for a period of two years to train Delhi's budding footballers in the age group of under-12 and under-16. Hindustan FC, founded just after the independence of India, have been the flag bearers from the capital in the second tier of Indian football, having participated for a record 14 times. They also participated in the 2014 I-League 2nd Division and moved to the final round of I-League Qualifiers, finishing on fifth position with four points in eight matches. Though their biggest achievement is finishing as the runners-up in the 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division, under the coaching of Vikrant Sharma. In the 2018–19 I-League 2nd Division, Hindustan finished at the bottom of the Group A and bowed out of the tournament. The club has participated in the 2021 FD Senior Division, and finished as runners-up.

Stadium

Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi is used as the clubs' home ground for most of their DSA Senior Division League matches. It has also hosted I-League 2nd Division matches. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators. Hindustan also use Thyagaraj Sports Complex ground. The club formerly used Government of India press grounds for matches of DSA B-Division League.

Rivalries

Hindustan FC have nurtured rivalries with other Delhi based clubs, predominantly with Garhwal, Simla Youngs, Indian Air Force, New Delhi Heroes and Sudeva Moonlight (now 'Sudeva Delhi'). Besides the state league, they faced some more rivals in the prestigious Durand Cup, the oldest existing club football tournament in Asia and third oldest in the world.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Women's team

On 29 November 2012, Hindustan FC launched its women's team with the unveiling of team jersey. At a press conference, Hindustan president Sushil Pandit said that the decision to launch the team was in line with the club philosophy to support women's football. Delhi Soccer Association is looking to start its women's league and Hindustan FC would not want to be left behind. The women's team competes in the Delhi Women's Football League, organised by Football Delhi. Its U17 women's team has been participating in the Khelo India Women's League since 2019.

Youth & academy

Hindustan FC ran U-13, U-15 and U-17 level teams and academies, which were based at the Thygaraja Stadium. In 2013, the club launched its U19 team to participate in the Elite League (India). The U19 team was from Delhi zone and first participated in the 2014–15 I-League U19 season (group D – rest of India), and reached the final round. The club also established an academy, named Hindustan Football Academy. They also organize an youth football tournament yearly in Delhi, known as Hind Kishore School Tournament.

Honours

League

Cup

Notable players

For current and former notable Hindustan FC players with a Wikipedia article, see: Hindustan FC players.

Managerial history

Footnotes