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Diamond Harbour FC: From Obscurity to I-League Contenders in 3 Years
19 Aug
Summary
- Newly formed club Diamond Harbour FC gained promotion to I-League in 2025
- Backed by local MP, club rose from humble beginnings to semifinals of Durand Cup
- Veteran Spanish coach Kibu Vicuna oversaw club's meteoric rise
In a remarkable turn of events, the newly formed Diamond Harbour FC has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Indian football. Born on April 15, 2022 - the Bengali New Year's Day - and backed by local Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, the club has experienced a meteoric rise from the humble Bata stadium ground in Maheshtala, a part of greater Kolkata, to gaining promotion to the I-League this year.
This rapid ascent has taken the Indian football landscape by storm, providing a refreshing contrast to the current state of uncertainty surrounding the country's top league. As many Indian Super League clubs contemplate shutdowns, Diamond Harbour FC represents the positive side of the story, ready to break into the established order and carve out their own path.
Veteran Spanish coach Kibu Vicuna, who had previously guided Mohun Bagan to the I-League title in 2019-2020, has overseen Diamond Harbour FC's transition from the ground up. In just three years, the club has gone from playing in the first division of the Calcutta Football League to reaching the semifinals of the prestigious Durand Cup, where they will face off against one of the best teams in India, East Bengal.
