East Bengal Football Club Reserves and Academy commonly referred to as East Bengal, is the reserve team and youth system of the Indian Super League side East Bengal FC. Reserves generally consist of younger players, but at times senior players also play, if recuperating from injury or not getting first team game time. Apart from the I-League 2 (formerly), the reserve side plays in the Calcutta Football League, currently under the sponsorship name Emami East Bengal Club.

Quick Facts Full name, Nickname(s) ...
East Bengal Reserves and Academy
Full nameEast Bengal Football Club Reserves and Academy
Nickname(s)The Red and Gold Brigade
Bangal Brigade
The Torch Bearers
Short nameEBFC
GroundEast Bengal Ground
Capacity23,500
OwnerEmami East Bengal FC Pvt. Ltd.:
PresidentMurari Lal Lohia
Head coachBino George (Reserves)
LeagueCFL Premier Division
RF Development League
AIFF Elite League
Websitehttps://emamieastbengal.com/
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History

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Perspective

East Bengal FC Reserves and Academy are the under-21, under-17, under-15 and under-13 teams of East Bengal. The under-21 team is often the last stage before the promotion into the first team.[2] The youth teams participate in the Elite league of various age groups. The East Bengal Academy was re-instated on 20 June 2016 with the motive to establish a strong footprint in Indian football by producing quality professional players. The main objective of this project has been to supply professional quality players to the East Bengal senior team & Indian national team.[2]

The East Bengal Academy was founded in the early part of the 21st century and had a major success initially as the U-19 East Bengal team won the first two U-19 National Football leagues held in 2001-02 and 2002-03[3] and then the club's Under-15 team qualified for the Manchester United Premier Cup after being champions of India defeating Mahindra United 10 in the final,[4] and becoming SouthEast Asian regional runners up in 2007.[5] The Junior team faced the youth teams of Manchester United, A.S. Roma and Shandong Luneng and FK Austria Wien in the final round held in Manchester, however, they lost all the games in the group stages.[6] In the 1720th place play-off semi-finals, the team defeated Bukit Jalil of Malaysia by 3-1, but lost to Central United of New Zealand in the 17th place play-offs by 5-3 via tiebreakers, after the game ended goalless. The U-15 team finished 18th[7] among the 20 teams who had reached the world final stage and is to date the best finish by any Indian club in the Nike Premier Cup.[8] The East Bengal U-19 team was the primary youth team before the Elite League started in 2010. Players like Israil Gurung, Saikat Saha Roy etc. were part of the East Bengal youth setup in the mid 2000s. In 2006, former East Bengal legend and National League winning coach Monoranjan Bhattacharya was appointed as the head coach of the East Bengal U-19 team.[9]

The East Bengal Academy started with new endeavours in 2016 as they brought in Ranjan Chowdhury as head of the project with an aim to produce Indian talents and build up the supply line for the main team of East Bengal.[10] The team finished runners-up in the 2016–17 I-League U18, losing 2-1 to AIFF Elite Academy in the final. The team also reached the semi-final in 2017–18.[11] The team was disbanded after the 2019–20 Indian Elite League was called off due to COVID-19 pandemic in India. In 2022, after the new investors Emami Group joined the club, the youth teams have been revived

Reserve team

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Perspective

East Bengal officially did not have a reserve team prior to 2020. However, the club formed a reserve team composed of academy players and few senior team members to participate in minor tournaments like Bordoloi Trophy. In 2018, the East Bengal Reserves team coached by Ranjan Chowdhury won the Darjeeling Gold Cup, defeating another Kolkata giant Mohammedan Sporting in the final.[12]

The reserve team was formed in 2020 and intended to play in the I-League 2, along with the Calcutta Football League from the 2020–21 season.[13] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the team was scrapped and after new investors Emami group tied up with the club, the reserve team was once again launched in 2022. Former Kerala football team coach Bino George was appointed as the head coach of the reserve team.[14][15] The club also recruited former captain Sangram Mukherjee as the goalkeeper coach for the team.[16] The club also bolstered the squad by making some top signings from the Santosh Trophy teams, including five players from Kerala, the champions of the 202122 edition.[17][18] The reserve participated in the 2022 Calcutta Premier Division and finished fourth in the Super Six.[19] The reserve team also participated in the 2022–23 I-League 2 along with the reserve teams of other Indian Super League sides Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC , FC Goa, Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC. The club also roped in AFC A license holder Archisman Biswas as the assistant coach for the reserve side.[20] In the first season, East Bengal reserves side finished third in the group behind United and Shillong Lajong.[21]

Reserve squad

The below list contains the names and details of the reserve team squad for East Bengal. Some of the players are also part of the first team squad.
As of 22 September 2024[22]
More information No., Name ...
No. Name Nat. Pos. Date of Birth (Age) Signed From Signed In Contact Ends Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
27 Aditya Patra (captain) India GK (2000-04-27) 27 April 2000 (age 24) India Bengaluru20222026230
71 Sangramjit Roy Chowdhury India GK (1998-10-26) 26 October 1998 (age 26) India Dempo2024202610
51 Kamaludheeen A. K. India GK (2004-10-09) 9 October 2004 (age 20) India Kerala2024202700
95 Gourab Shaw India GK (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 20) India Calcutta Port Trust2023202600
Defenders
38 Hira Mondal India LB (1996-08-31) 31 August 1996 (age 28) India NorthEast United20242025280
54 Adil Amal India CB (2002-01-31) 31 January 2002 (age 22) India Mar Athanasius FA20222026132
57 Bathala Sunil India CB (2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 21) India Sreenidhi Deccan2024202771
60 Tonmoy Ghosh India LB (1992-06-09) 9 June 1992 (age 32) India Diamond Harbour2024202560
63 Monotosh Chakladar India CB (1998-04-04) 4 April 1998 (age 26) India Diamond Harbour20242026110
74 Bunando Singh Khangembam India RB (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 21) India RFYC2023202650
85 Chaku Mandi India CB (2000-05-11) 11 May 2000 (age 24) India Bhawanipore2024202760
90 Joseph Justin India CB (2004-10-30) 30 October 2004 (age 20) India Parappur FC2023202670
Midfielders
54 Ananthu N. S. India AM (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 (age 20) India Parappur FC2024202761
58 Sanjib Ghosh India RW (2000-07-31) 31 July 2000 (age 24) India Mohammedan Sporting20222025261
61 Tanmay Das (vicecaptain) India CM (2001-05-02) 2 May 2001 (age 23) India Railway FC20222027292
62 Aman C. K. India RW (2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 21) India Mumbai City202220263310
64 Naseeb Rahman India RW (2002-10-19) 19 October 2002 (age 22) India FC Areacode20232026100
66 Shyamal Besra India CM (2004-09-25) 25 September 2004 (age 20) India Calcutta FC20222027174
68 Kush Chhetry India CM (2004-11-28) 28 November 2004 (age 20) India Muvanlai Athletics2023202690
78 Muhammed K. Ashique India RW (2004-12-06) 6 December 2004 (age 20) India Muthoot FA2023202662
79 Abinash Shagolsem India AM (2007-07-02) 2 July 2007 (age 17) India FC Mangalore2024202720
80 Ajad Saheem T. India AM (2002-12-15) 15 December 2002 (age 22) India Golden Threads2024202671
81 Suman Dey India LM (2003-02-10) 10 February 2003 (age 21) India Kasba Samannoy2023202690
82 P. V. Vishnu India AM (2001-12-24) 24 December 2001 (age 23) India Muthoot FA202320264613
84 Sayan Banerjee India LW (2003-01-14) 14 January 2003 (age 22) India Kalighat MS20232026226
86 Muhammed Roshal P. P. India RW (2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 (age 21) India Wayanad United20232026140
87 Bijay Murmu India RW (2000-12-02) 2 December 2000 (age 24) India Bhawanipore2024202750
89 Muhammed Musharaf India LW (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 21) India Gokulam Kerala20232025112
Forwards
52 Debojit Roy India FW (2007-11-26) 26 November 2007 (age 17) India East Bengal U-172024202900
59 Jesin TK India FW (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24) India Kerala United202220263321
72 Subrata Murmu India FW (2002-09-21) 21 September 2002 (age 22) India United2024202761
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Coaching staff

More information Role, Name ...
Role Name
Head coach India Bino George
Assistant coach India Archisman Biswas
Assistant coach India Barun Sengupta
Goalkeeper coach India Sangram Mukherjee
Physiotherapist India MD Shakil
Head of Performance & Video Analyst India Aromal Vijayan
Team manager India Pratim K. Saha
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Under-21

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Perspective

The East Bengal U-21 team participates in the Reliance Foundation Development League, the national U-21 tournament from 2023.[23][24][25] The reserve team head coach Bino George has been in charge of the U-21 squad.[26] On 14 March 2024, in the first RFDL game, East Bengal defeated United SC.[27] On 21 April 2023, East Bengal defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan U-21 20 to become the East zone champions and qualify for the national group stage in their very first season in the RFDL.[28][29] East Bengal finished second in the national group stage and ended their maiden campaign.[30] In 2024, East Bengal once again became the East Zone champions,[31] and finished runner-up in the 2024 RFDL losing 32 in the final against Punjab.[32] East Bengal U-21 qualified for the 2024 Next Gen Cup to be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom along with Punjab and Muthoot FA from India.[33]

Squad

East Bengal squad for the Reliance Foundation Development League 2024.

As of 14 April 2024[34]

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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Performance record

As of 18 May 2024
More information Year, Zonal Round ...
Performance of East Bengal Academy in Reliance Foundation Development League
Year Zonal Round National Group Stage National Championship Next Gen Cup Ref
2022 Did not participate [35]
2023 Champions 2nd Did not qualify Did not qualify [36]
2024 Champions Champions Runner-up Qualified [32]
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Under-17

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Perspective

The under-17 team participates in the U17 Youth Cup. The team is coached by former East Bengal captain Tarun Dey.[37]

The National Football League U-19 was launched in 2001 and the East Bengal U-19 team won the inaugural edition defeating India sub-juniors 32 in the final.[38] The U-19 team defended the title the following year as they defeated JCT Football Academy 10 in the final.[39] The team also finished runners-up in the 2003–04 edition as they lost to their rivals Mohun Bagan U-19 31 in the penalty shoot-out after the final ended 00 in regulation time.[3] After the tournament was restarted as the I-League U19 in 2008 and later renamed to Elite League, the East Bengal team became runners-up four times, failing to win to the title. In 2022, the tournament was redesigned as a U-17 category, after not being held for two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] In 2024, the team clinched Kolkata leg of the Dream Sports Championship title defeating United SC in final.[41]

Squad

The East Bengal Under-17 squad for 2023-24 season[42]

As of 10 December 2023

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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Coaching Staff

As of 18 December 2023

More information Role, Name ...
Role Name
Head coach India Barun Sengupta
Assistant coach India Hirak Saha
Physiotherapist India Ankan Roy Chowdhury
Team manager India Aritra Dutta
Assistant team manager India Arun Kumar Jaiswal
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Performance record

As of 15 January 2024
More information Year, Tournament ...
Performance of East Bengal Academy in Youth Leagues
Year Tournament Final Position Ref
2001National Football League U-19Champions[3][38]
2002–03National Football League U-19Champions[3][43][39]
2003–04National Football League U-19Not Held[3]
2004–05National Football League U-19Runners-up[3]
2005–07National Football League U-19Not Held[3]
2008I-League U19Quarter-Finals[44]
2009I-League U19Not Held
2010I-League U19Runners-up[45]
2011I-League U19Runners-up[46]
2012I-League U-20Group Stages[47]
2013I-League U-20Final Round[48]
2014I-League U19Runners-up[49]
2014–15I-League U19Group Stages[50]
2015–16I-League U-18Final Round[51]
2016–17I-League U-18Runners-up[52]
2017–18Youth League U-18Semi-Finals[11]
2018–19Elite League U-18Quarter-Finals[53]
2019–20Elite League U-18Abandoned [a][54]
2020–22Elite League U-18Not Held[40]
2022–23U17 Youth CupGroup Stages[55]
2023–24U-17 Youth LeagueDisqualified [b][57]
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  1. League called-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[54]
  2. East Bengal was disqualified after fielding an overaged player in the league.[56]

Under-15

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Perspective

The under-15 team participates in the Elite Youth League. The team is coached by Chandan Kumar Ray.[58]

Squad

The East Bengal Academy Under-15 squad for 2019–20 season

As of 26 July 2019

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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Performance record

More information Year, Tournament ...
Performance of East Bengal Academy in U-15 Youth Leagues
Year Tournament Final Position
2005-06U-15 Nike Premier CupRunners[59]
2006-07U-15 Nike Premier CupChampions[4]
2015-16U-15 Nike Premier CupZonal Round
2016-17U-15 Nike Premier CupZonal Round
2017-18U-15 Nike Premier CupNational Finals[60]
2018-19U-15 Hero Junior LeagueNational Playoffs[61]
2019-20 U-15 Hero Junior League Disqualified (League called-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
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Matches at the 2007 Nike Premier Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss

1 August 2007 Group stage Manchester United U15 5–0[62] East Bengal U15 Manchester
09:30 BST Nicholas Jackson 11'
David Mellor 17', 28', 38'
Rory Gorman 20'
Report Stadium: Carrington
2 August 2007 Group stage FK Austria Wien U15 2–0[64] East Bengal U15 Manchester
09:30 BST David 11'
Christoph 15'
Report Stadium: Carrington
3 August 2007 17-20th Semi Final East Bengal U15 3–1[66] Bukit Jalil U15 Manchester
09:30 BST Suprovan Dhar 4'
Ajoy Ray 7', 20'
Report Fouzan 30' Stadium: Carrington
3 August 2007 17-20th Final East Bengal U15 0–0[7]
(3–5 p)
Central United U15 Manchester
11:30 BST Report Stadium: Carrington
Penalties
  • Rakesh Roy soccer ball with check mark
  • Supravan Dharsoccer ball with check mark
  • Joydeb Chakraborty soccer ball with check mark
  • Pintu Duttasoccer ball with red X
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark

Under–13

Summarize
Perspective

The under–13 team participates in the Elite Youth League. The team is coached by Suraj Singh Bisht.[67]

Squad

The East Bengal Under–13 squad for the 2023–24 season

As of 20 April 2024

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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Performance record

More information Year, Tournament ...
Performance of SC East Bengal Academy in U-13 Youth Leagues
Year Tournament Zonal Round National Finals Top Scorer Goals Ref
2017–18U-13 Hero Sub Junior League4thDid not qualifySouvik Dari
Jit Sarkar
2
2018–19U-13 Hero Sub Junior League2ndDid not qualifyRajibul Halder3[68]
2019–20U-13 Hero Sub Junior LeagueLeague called-off due to the COVID-19 pandemicAvijit Kotal3
2023–24U-13 Sub Junior Youth LeagueChampionsTo be decidedSisir Sarkar12
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Noted graduates

Those who made it at the club

East Bengal's youth system has been successful over the last few years; many players who have come through it have gone on to feature in the first-team. The following players have risen up the ranks from the under age teams and gone on to play over ten competitive matches for the first team.

Players who have represented the National team are in Bold.

Those who made it elsewhere

East Bengal FC academy graduates who didn't make it at the club but made it somewhere else and even went on to play for the national team:

Players who have represented the National team are in Bold.

Honours

Reserves

Academy U18

  • Zee Bangla Football League (U-19) (1): 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2019(Joint Winners)
  • SRMB Cup (U-18) (1): 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2019[77]

Academy U-16

Academy U-15


  1. Under-19 Tournament from 20152018

References

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