Mahindra United coach David Booth speaking to his players during a training session

Mahindra United, who earlier this season made the semi-finals of the Durand Cup would look to go the distance when they battle it out in the Federation Cup, scheduled to commence later this month in Assam. Remaining unbeaten so far in the I-League after eight rounds, strong title contenders Mahindra United have been playing well overall as a unit and coach David Booth would expect the performances to be reflected in the results while they attempt to make a strong start to their campaign in the Federation Cup, when they meet Kolkata side Chirag United in their opener on December 21.

Mahindra United (14 points) currently placed fourth in the I-League, could have found themselves much higher in the points table, had they come up with maximum returns in matches, which they dominated on the balance of play. Having suffered only one defeat so far this season which came in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup, Mahindra United ended the first phase of the I-League on a high, defeating arch-rivals Air India by a comprehensive four nil margin, which was fashioned by Nigerian striker Muritala Ali’s hat-trick.

Mahindra United coach David Booth speaking to his players during a training session

For the record, Mahindra United in the IFA Shield at the start of the season, despite remaining unbeaten, were unable to make the last four stage having an inferior goal difference as compared to Mohun Bagan.

For the record, Mahindra United along with league leaders Churchill Brothers (16 points) are the only two sides in the 14-team league to remain unbeaten after eight rounds. Nigerian striker Muritala Ali, one of the new signings which Mahindra United made this season, is I-League’s joint top scorer along Mohun Bagan’s Edeh Chidi, having scored eight goals so far.

Eight players of Mahindra United (Subashish Roy Chowdhury, Mohammad Rafi, Steven Dias, Debabrata Roy, N.P. Pradeep, Sushil Kumar Singh, D. Ravanan & Denzil Franco) who are currently on national duty, would join the team and resume practice on December 14 before they leave for the Federation Cup

Back at the helm for his second stint as coach of Mahindra United, Englishman David Booth quite pleased with the development and progress his players have shown during pre-season, which has been a valuable exercise, affirmed that the squad needs to sharpen up heading into the new season, while featuring later this month in the IFA Shield, where they would be defending the title.

Known for his work ethic and disciplinary approach to his job, Booth, who stressed on the importance of the team making a positive start to the new campaign, spoke at length about the pre-season preparations, thoughts on the new campaign and the balance of the squad, which have four new arrivals.

Excerpts:

About the pre-season preparations and thoughts on the new campaign: I’m happy with the work that the players have been putting in, they are very committed. The quality of work, the quality of play is very good, it’s on line to get better. As a new coach to Mahindra United, obviously I would be looking for a strong start and I expect the players to put behind them the trials and tribulations of last season. It’s very important to start with a clean slate and everybody put in their best foot forward to start the new season. Looking forward to seeing the players blend together and see what they can produce when the whole team is playing in the same direction.

Realistic objectives set for the new season:

This team given a decent amount of good fortune and luck with injuries, I think they are good enough to challenge in every competition they play. From the quality, I have seen in them over the matches I have been here, my expectations and demands of the players are very high and I fully expect the players to try and hit those standards.

On the balance of the squad to attain the targets which we have set: I think the squad is good enough, whether it is big enough it’s a gamble that as a club we have taken the decision, which under different financial circumstances might have not been taken. Hopefully, without too many injury problems, it’s the right decision.

Assessment of the players heading into the new season starting with the IFA Shield: In the practice matches we have played including those in Goa, we have played well particularly in the first half and without real problems, we have looked a little less than ideal in the second half at times. Maybe, this is a slight fitness problem or it could also be a concentration problem, but certainly we need to work on both aspects to make sure that everything is covered. To be fair to players, they have worked very hard up to now but until we get into real competitive games, we would not be able to judge specifically.

Following the performances in the pre-season, areas which demand scope for improvement:

We need to sharpen up, getting the ball to strikers, sharpen up defensively for the next ten days as I think its known that I don’t like to give goals away. It would also be interesting how much quality the national players bring to the club. They have a very big role to play in helping the club to move forward with the experience gained and I’m looking forward to working with them. Definitely we have to make sure that we do not concede goals from set-pieces, we need to be very alert. At the other end, we should put the ball in the right areas, make the right runs to make contact. We need a percentage a goals from set-pieces, which would considerably ease matters.

About the four new inclusions in the squad:

The three outfield players (Denzil Franco, Muritala Ali & K. Aseem) which we have signed, have good pace, different attributes, they are quite young, have good energy levels and hunger to do well. Added to that, they are good boys, I think they will fit in quite well.

On the importance of being consistent throughout the season:

It would be nice to win the IFA Shield and Durand Cup, but how important is whatever we do in the early competitions, we need to justify with our performances in the I-League. The I-League is a long haul competition where every team is judged. The Federation Cup is a quicker way to AFC Cup competition, these two are the most important tournaments in the calendar. From a team spirit point of view, I feel that it would be nice to be able to win one competition early in the season, but we have to remember that we have a very small squad, we need to understand and have realistic ambitions and targets.

As a part of the community development programme, Mahindra United—–city’s champion outfit have linked up with Mahindra Academy School (Malad) to provide them with structured professional football
coaching aimed at the needs of the individual age groups in their quest of  improving the school team further and helping them in steadily making a mark at the inter-school tournaments.

As a part of this new development, which kicked-off on Wednesday, July 29, the Durand Cup champions Mahindra United will help the school develop their football team by providing them with experienced and qualified coaches who
will cater specifically to the boys under-12 and under-14 age group categories, imparting training thrice in a week at the school ground during the morning sessions.

Former international and AFC ‘A’ License coach, Santosh Kashyap who is also the chief coach of the Mahindra United’s Youth Development Programme, will oversee the whole training programme, that will concentrate on looking to
improve all the things that they believe are vital attributes in the development of a player. The coaches will set up an effective programme to enhance the players skills, fitness and team cohesion.

During the early stages, FA License and NIS (National Institute of Sports) qualified coach Diago Fernandes will impart training to the students before the club would recommend another qualified coach to further continue this
programme under the guidance of Mahindra United Football Club.  The opening day saw 36 children being selected by the school, attending the coaching session which took place from 6.15 am to 7.45 am.

Monitoring the progress of the players while providing their expertise during the training programme that will continue fairly throughout the year, the coaches appointed by Mahindra United as per their curriculum designed,
will try to cover all aspects of the game as they will strive to teach the proper techniques along with the tactical concepts of the game of soccer. The players attending the training sessions will initially be grouped according to their age with further adjustments made according to their skill level in order to create a learning environment that challenges each individual.

As per the guidelines of AIFF for professional clubs in the I-League to start community development programme, Mahindra United launched their first initiative towards the community of Mumbai and its suburbs by organizing the Summer Vacation Football Coaching Camp (May 18 to May 30) for age groups (Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 & Under-14) at the newly inaugurated Sports Authority of India’s football ground, Akurli Road, Kandivli (E).

Indian tennis ace Leander Paes inaugurated Mahindra United’s maiden Summer Vacation Football Coaching camp, being conducted in association with Sports Authority of India, Mumbai here on Monday.

Coaching programme is designed to improve the technical ability of the participants while focusing on fun and enjoyment at the same time. At the nearly two week long coaching camp, the participants will enjoy structured professional coaching from qualified coaches aimed at the needs of the individual age groups

The programme will be spearheaded by former international & AFC ‘A’ License coach Santosh Kashyap, who will be assisted by FA License coaches in former Mahindra players Diago Fernandes and Faruk Ahmad.

In addition to this inaugural venture, Durand Cup and Mumbai League champions Mahindra United will also be offering weekend programmes for the community and other events like Personal Training Programme, Diwali Vacation Camp (October) and Winter Vacation Camp (December).

The objective of the club is also to use these as opportunities to scout the best players and offer them trials in Mahindra United’s Youth Development Programme and later provide them with an opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.

Dr. Sandeep Kurale (Masters in Sports Rehabilatation), who has done his internship with Italian club AS Roma, will conduct a clinic on diet and precaution of injuries for the parents along with the kids during the course of the camp.

Latest equipment will be used for the training programme. For the first time, Mahindra United will make use of the Jugs Soccer Machine (USA), provided by Omtex Healthwear Pvt. Ltd, who have co-sponsored the event along with Khanna Sports, Nivia Freewill Sports Ltd & Nelco Tm.

Leander Paes, who graced the occasion featured in the exhibition match played between Mahindra Veterans and Sports Journalists, which also marked the opening of the coaching camp to be held during the morning session.

The US $6 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector has recently won the Japan Quality Medal,the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan.

The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, with seven sectors including the financial services, trade and logistics, automotive components, information technology, and infrastructure development.

With over 62 years of manufacturing experience, the Mahindra Group has built a strong base in technology, engineering, marketing and distribution which are key to its evolution as a customer-centric organization. The Group employs over 50,000 people and has several state-of-the-art facilities in India and overseas.

The Mahindra Group has ambitious global aspirations and has a presence on five continents. Mahindra products are today available on every continent except Antarctica. M & M has one tractor manufacturing plant in China, three assembly plants in the United States and one at Brisbane, Australia. It has made strategic acquisitions across the globe including Stokes Forgings (UK), Jeco Holding AG (Germany) and Schoneweiss & Co GmbH (Germany). Its automotive global subsidiaries include Mahindra Europe Srl. based in Italy, Mahindra USA Inc. Mahindra South Africa and Bristlecone.

M & M has entered into partnerships with international companies like Renault SA, France, and International Truck and Engine Corporation, USA. Forbes has ranked the Mahindra Group in its Top 200 list of the World’s Most Reputable Companies and in the Top 10 list of Most Reputable Indian companies. Mahindra has recently been honoured with the Bombay Chamber Good Corporate Citizen Award for 2006-07.

The history of football in Mahindra & Mahindra goes back four and a half decades, i.e. from 1962. The Mahindra & Mahindra & Allied Company Sports Club which started as a simple set up way back in 1950, has certainly come a long way – from a club with just a few games and a few amenities to an establishment, running a professional team and offering high quality facilities, incentives and allowances.

The originators behind this concept were a few sports oriented members of the company, and they received vital support initially from the founders Late Shri K C Mahindra & Late Shri J C Mahindra and later on from Shri Keshub Mahindra, Late Harish Mahindra and Late Suresh Mahindra, who were sports-men in their own right.

In 1956 inspired by the activities, a group of youngsters enrolled themselves as “M&M official team” in the Bombay football League and made every effort to reach the top of Bombay football. To further improve the standards, the Company provided a full size football field which has been used for practice and training.

At that point in time, with the football teams representing the company at tournaments in Bombay, the need arose to structure the activities as a sports club and give it a positive direction, thus a “Sports club” was formed in 1962 as “Mahindra & Mahindra & Allied Company Sports Club”.

Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength, getting into Bombay’s senior division Harwood League in 1964. Understandably they earned the sobriquet “The Giant Killers”. As football developed in Maharashtra, so did it in Mahindras. In 1969 Mr. Harish Mahindra was elected Vice President of Western India Football Association (WIFA).

Mahindra & Mahindra Allied Sports Club, then known as the “Orange Brigade” was one of the popular team in Maharashtra after strong teams like TATA’s, Mafatlal’s, Caltex etc. Teams like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting went all out to recruit the talented Mahindra Players. Mahindra’s were a potential threat to all the top teams in the Country. International Players like P M Shivdas, C Mustafa, Jerry Bassi, Henry Menezes, Santosh Kashyap, Godfrey Pereira, turned out to represent Mahindra Football Team.

In the year 2000 Mahindra Football Team underwent a total revamp wherein the orange brigade turned Red. And Football became the main sport in Mahindras. The team was rechristened “MAHINDRA UNITED” under the leadership of Mr. Alan Durante – the then Executive Director & President of Automotive Sector with backing of our Chairman Shri Keshub Mahindra and Vice Chairman & Managing Director Shri Anand Mahindra. This set the ball rolling! On November 3, 2008. “MAHINDRA UNITED” became a commercial entity and re-christened as “ Mahindra United Football Club (Pvt.) Ltd.

Coaches like Raghavan, International Derek Desouza, Harish Rao, World Cupper Karel Stromsik, English man David Booth, Dhornacharya Awardee Syed Nayeemuddin, have coached the team and brought laurels. The management designed an Activity Center, Modern Gymnasium, dressing rooms etc. Players were put up at Players Quarters with mess facility, maintained by the company close to the training ground. Swimming pool facility was also provided to the players.

In the year 2003, Mahindra United recruited David Booth from UK, as Coach who had a 5 years stint with Ghana, 3 and a Half years with Brunei National Team and 3 years with Myanmar National Team. After he took over as Coach of Mahindra United, the Team won The Mumbai League, Super Cup, Federation Cup.

The victory in the “Federation Cup” of 2003 gave us an entry in the AFC Cup 2004 when “Mahindra United” was listed in the World Cup rankings. The team was placed 3rd in the National Football League and Mahindra United created History by winning their First International tournament, “The President’s Cup of Maldives (POMIS CUP)”.

Brazilian Jose Marcio Barreto Ramires & Ghanian Yusuf Yakubu are the best foreign recruits who played for Mahindra United.

The year 2005 saw a young 43 years old Indian International, Professional License Coach Mr. Derrick Pereira signing for Mahindra United and alongwith AFC ‘C’ Licence Coach Santosh Kashyap, straight away took the team to become the Federation Cup Champions. Mahindra United qualified for the AFC Cup 2006 and were in Group A with Bahrain, Lebanon and Bangladesh. Mahindra United were crowned INDIA’S CHAMPION TEAM after winning the National Football League 2005-06.

Consequent to winning the National Football league in 2005-2006, Mahindra United were given entry to play in the AFC Cup 2007 and was placed in Group E. Mahindra United moved to the quarter finals (knock out stage), by virtue of the best runners-up team in their group and were denied entry to semi finals by one goal away match difference at Lebanon.

Mahindra United of Mumbai is the only team in Maharashtra to win the Durand Cup & that too thrice, which is the second oldest trophy in the world. In fact Mahindra United is only team from Maharashtra to have won the Durand Cup so far. Mahindra United is also the first team in Maharashtra to win the Harwood League and the Nadkarni cup three times in a row. Mahindra United has won the Harwood League Title five times in a row Mahindra’s have inscribed its name on almost all the tournaments in the country.

The year 2006 saw Mahindra United engraving its name on the IFA Shield for the first time in 112 years.

The year 2007 “Mahindra United” rebuild the team mainly on youth focus and have produced best of young players who can rub shoulders with seniors on & off the ground.

During the year 2007-08, Mahindra United went on to win the IFA Shield for the Second time and also defended their Mahindra Mumbai League successfully.

During the year 2008-09, though the team was plagued by Injuries and Chicken Pox, our Players did creditably in the IInd phase of the I-League to finally be in the 5th place, having won the Durand Cup for the third time. It also retained the Mahindra Mumbai Shield.

The season 2009-10 saw David Booth returning to Mahindra United as Chief Coach along with Arsha Hussain as the Asst. Coach and Henry Menezes as Deputy General Manager with the prime objective of taking the Club to greater heights.

The Team was rebuilt with youngsters in mind and has done creditably well so far in the league. In the process of rebuilding the team, we had released nine Players including two foreigners and one PIO and had added Svertozar Mijin from Serbia as our attacking mid-fielder and Muritala Ali of Nigeria as Striker.

The present team has not lost a single match, out of seven so far, and is in the 4th position in the I-League table, and is raring to go to finish all the matches with the aim of lifting the title this year.