Kolkata: A fairytale has unfolded in Indian football, though not quite like Leicester City's 2015-16 Premier League triumph or Aizawl FC's 2016-17 I-League victory. Diamond Harbour FC's journey from the humble Bata stadium ground in Maheshtala — a part of greater Kolkata — to the summit of the I-League and ultimately the top echelon of the Indian Super League (ISL) just four years after its inception is trailblazing in its own right.
A Historic Achievement
"We made history," beamed coach Kibu Vicuna, who has been with the team since its birth and has overseen its transformation from a newcomer to a groundbreaking force. Four summers ago, when Diamond Harbour FC, backed by local Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, were officially launched on April 15 — Bengali New Year's Day — in 2022, Vicuna was in Poland with a new assignment. This came just two years after guiding Mohun Bagan to their second I-League title and a year after an unsuccessful stint with Kerala Blasters in the ISL. Unsurprisingly, it took considerable persuasion for the Spanish coach to accept the role at a team that had only recently received the green light from the Indian Football Association to compete in the CFL First League, the third tier of the local league.
Early Ambitions and Rapid Ascent
During its formal launch — delayed by two years due to the pandemic — one club official stated that the team's "target" was to qualify for the CFL Premier Division and compete alongside the Big Three: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting. Vicuna arrived, recognized the diamond in the rough, and revolutionized the mindset of the newly-formed team in a manner unprecedented in Indian football. "Four years ago, we played our first official game in Batanagar against Port Trust, and four years later, we have earned promotion to the highest level of Indian football. It is simply amazing," the DHFC coach remarked after guiding the team to the I-League title, just nine months after leading them to the Durand Cup final.
A Rare Certainty in Uncertain Times
Vicuna's Diamond Harbour FC represent a rare sense of certainty in an otherwise uncertain Indian football landscape. They have literally risen through the ranks, conquering one hurdle after another in I-League 3, I-League 2, and now the I-League with a magical run. Unlike Leicester City or Aizawl — or even the two previously promoted ISL teams, Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC — Diamond Harbour FC have emerged from obscurity and carved out their own destiny through discipline, determination, and a never-say-die mentality.
"One of the key aspects of this team is that we kept fighting until the end, and we scored a beautiful goal in the last minute of the match that secured our promotion to the ISL," Vicuna said, referring to Hugo Diaz's last-gasp equalizer in DHFC's come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Dempo FC in Goa on Sunday.
Endorsement from a Legend
Former India midfielder and a star of the 1970s and 1980s, Manas Bhattacharya, echoed the Spaniard's sentiments. "The hallmark of any champion team is its ability to bounce back against the odds. This team has made a habit of recovering from potential setbacks. Credit goes to Kibu for believing in our project and turning it into something magical," Bhattacharya — who serves as DHFC's CEO — told TOI on Monday.
Financial Stability and Player Welfare
At a time when uncertainty gripped Indian football at the start of the season, forcing many ISL franchises to release players, the DHFC management stood by the likes of Diaz, Luka Majcen, and Jobby Justin, ensuring their financial needs were met during difficult times. "From day one of our existence, we have ensured that players remain an integral part of our family. We gave them a dream, and they have helped us realize it," Bhattacharya remarked.
Shine on, you crazy diamond!
