Explore one of the most remarkable promotion narratives in global football. Discover the distinctive journey of the Measurers Club in Kolkata, India, intertwined with lesser-known anecdotes from Indian football linked to their trajectory.
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An Epoch in Kolkata Football: The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of the Measurers Club
The Measurers Club was established in 1902 by Portuguese officers employed in the Customs at the Kolkata port. In a nutshell, the Calcutta Football League was founded in 1898, making it one of the oldest football leagues globally, with a second division swiftly introduced in 1904. The Measurers Club made its debut in the 1914 CFL 2nd Division.
The 91 Highlanders clinched the league title, yet their status as a military club precluded promotion. Measurers shared the second spot with “Mohun Bagan,” now champions of the Indian Super League and participants in the AFC Champions League 2.
In a promotion playoff against Mohun Bagan, the initial match ended in a draw, but Measurers secured a 2-1 victory in the replay at Caledonian Ground, earning promotion. However, the withdrawal of General Athletic from the 1st Division facilitated the promotion of the Indian football powerhouse Mohun Bagan as well.
Established in 1889, Mohun Bagan became the first indigenous Indian club to join the Calcutta Football League, which until then comprised solely European clubs. Meanwhile, the Measurers Club, as featured in our tale, maintained its presence in the top tier for the subsequent seven years (1914-1921).
Mohun Bagan, established in 1889, achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first indigenous Indian club to join the Calcutta Football League, which was previously exclusively composed of European clubs.
Meanwhile, the Measurers Club, as recounted in our narrative, maintained its presence in the top tier for the subsequent seven years (1914-1921). Regrettably, in the 1921 Calcutta Football League, the Measurers Club faced relegation to the 2nd Division.
Simultaneously, the Kolkata football scene witnessed the emergence of another Indian football powerhouse, East Bengal FC, who debuted in the CFL 2nd Division and secured a commendable third-place finish in their inaugural season.
From Adversity to Triumph: The Measurers Club’s 103-Year Journey to Redemption in Kolkata Football
The Measurers Club, bearing the Latin motto “Facta-Non Verba,” which translates to “Deeds-Not Words,” has reached a significant milestone in the year 2024. After a long hiatus, they have reclaimed their position in the top tier of Kolkata football, the Calcutta Football League, securing a spot among the top four teams.
This marks their return to the premier division for the first time since 1921, an incredible achievement after waiting for 103 years!
Indeed, the journey of the Measurers Club stands as a testament to remarkable persistence and unwavering perseverance in their pursuit to ascend to the highest echelons of Kolkata football, the Calcutta Football League, after more than ten decades.
Their story vividly embodies the essence of their motto, “FACTA-NON VERBA,” emphasizing action over mere words.
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