Fakirerpool Young Men's Club
Fakirerpool Young Men's Club (Bengali: ফকিরেরপুল ইয়াং মেনস ক্লাব) is a Bangladeshi professional football club from Motijheel area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is currently competes in the Bangladesh Championship League the second-tier of Bangladeshi football.
| Full name | Fakirerpool Young Men's Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Youngmen |
| Founded | 1960 |
| President | Anwar Hossain Makhon |
| Head Coach | Imtiaz Khan Lablo |
| League | Bangladesh Championship League |
| 2023–24 | Championship League, 1st of 8 |
History edit
Early years (1960–1987) edit
Fakirerpool Young Men's Club was established in Fakirapool, Motijheel area of Dhaka in 1960. Manjur Hossain Malu, one of the club's main administrators during its early years, also served as its general secretary until 2010. In the same year as its establishment, the club participated in the Dhaka Third Division Football League and earned promotion to the Second Division as unbeaten league champions.[1]
During their time in the Second Division, the club produced talents such as Enayetur Rahman Khan, nonetheless, failed to gain promotion to the top division for almost three decades. It was in 1987, under the coaching of Shahiduddin Ahmed Selim, that the club finally earned promotion to the First Division, the Dhaka League, as unbeaten Dhaka Second Division Football League champions. Additionally, the club's striker, Mizanur Rahman Mizan, finished as league top scorer with seven goals.[1]
The club also established a junior team, Fakirerpool Shurjo Torun Sangha (formerly Fakirerpool B), which began participating in the Pioneer Football League. In the early 80s, the club helped players such as Imtiaz Sultan Johnny, Monir Hossain Manu and Nurul Haque Manik began their careers in Dhaka football.[2]
The talent hub (1988–1999) edit
During their debut season in the First Division, the Dhaka League in 1988/89, Fakirerpool finished sixth and made the cut for the championship play-offs. The club's most notable achievement came during their second season in the top-flight, putting an end to Mohammedan Sporting Club's historic 76-game unbeaten league run on 15 March 1990, with goals from Sadequl Islam Uttam and Shankar in a 2–1 victory.[3]
Some notable players from Fakirerpool's first stint in the top-flight under coach Shahid Uddin Ahmed Selim were Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Nurul Haque Manik, Sadequl Islam Uttam, Piyus, and Mohammed Ponir, to name a few. However, observing the club's performances in their debut Dhaka League season, their players were poached by local giants Mohammedan SC and Brothers Union, the latter also capturing coach Selim's signature in 1991.[1][4]
After finishing in the bottom ten positions (11th) in the 1992 season, they were not given entry to the Dhaka Premier Division Football League upon its introduction in 1993. Instead, they participated in the Dhaka First Division Football League, serving as its second-tier. In the First Division's inaugural season as the country's second-tier league, Nazmul Islam Ledu guided the club to promotion to the Premier Division as league champions.[5]
Upon their return to the top-flight, the club roped in numerous players from the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan team which triumphed in both the Dana Cup and Gothia Cup in the early 90s. Some notable recruitments included, Hassan Al-Mamun, Ashkor Babu, Amin Rana and Mohamed Sohel Al-Masum. The young team coached by Nazmul Islam Ledu and captained by Golam Robbani Choton, managed to sruvive the drop in their first season back. Eventually the club saw an improvement in performances, finishing in the top-five in both 1995 and 1996.[1] Nonetheless, were relegated to the First Division in 1999.[6]
Financial woes and professionalization (2000–2018) edit
Fakirerpool returned to the Premier Division once again after winning the 2003/04 First Division League. However, the club was relegated in the first season following their return and missed out on a spot in the 2007 B.League, the inaugural edition of the country's first top-tier professional football league, the Bangladesh Premier League (formerly B.League). From 2005 to 2006, the club remained inactive as the First Division was not held. Then, in 2007, it was merged into the Premier Division to create the Dhaka Senior Division Football League, serving as the second-tier to the professional league.[7]
In 2007, the club clinched victory in the inaugural edition of the Senior Division and was poised to participate in the 2008–09 B.League. However, they were not invited to participate in the professional league due to unknown reasons.[8] In the subsequent edition of the Senior Division held in 2010, the club successfully defended their title. Nonetheless, they faced the same fate, as their entry to the 2010–11 B.League was denied.[9][10]
Eventually, the club gained entry into the second-tier professional league introduced in 2012, the Bangladesh Championship League, starting from the 2014–15 season as champions of the 2014 Dhaka Senior Division League.[11] Fakirerpool became champions of the 2015–16 Bangladesh Championship League, held in 2017.[12][13] However, for the third time in the club's history failed to appear in the Bangladesh Premier League even after securing promotion through merit. The club's withdrawal from the Premier League this time was reported to have been due to internal conflict and financial issues.[14]
Casino scandal and new era (2019–present) edit
On 18 September 2019, Fakirerpool was one of the four Motijheel-based clubs raided by the Bangladesh Police. It was found that the club had been operating an illegal casino inside its premises.[15][16] Khalid Mahmud Bhuiyan, a Jubo League leader and the club's president at the time, was later arrested. He was accused of importing modern gambling equipment from abroad at a cost of Tk1.5 crore and installing them at the club. Additionally, he was reported to have hired several Nepalis to run this illegal business.[17][18] The club's involvement in gambling culture reportedly began in 1988 when the clubhouse and premises were allocated by the National Sports Council. This eventually led to the departure of its founder, Manjur Hossain Malu, in 2010.[19] Following the incident, the club premises remained under lockdown.[20][21]
On 4 January 2023, the club elected a new 69-member committee, with former vice-president Haji Mohammad Salim, who was jailed for six months in the casino scandal, elected as the new chairman. Anwar Hossain Makhon and Mostafizur Rahman Mainu were elected as the president and general secretary, respectively. Both of them had previously served jail time due to the casino scandal. During their incarceration, Mozammel Haque acted as the chairman of the governing body, but he left the post following their release.[22][23] On 1 September 2023, the club premise was finally reopned after being closed for almost four years.[24][25][26][27]
Current squad edit
Fakirerpool Young Men's Club squad for 2023–24 season.
- As of 18 February 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff edit
Managerial statistics edit
- As of 23 April 2024
Personnel edit
Current technical staff edit
- As of 20 February 2024
Club officials edit
- As of 20 February 2024
Competitive record edit
| Record as Professional Football League member | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Division | League | Federation Cup | Independence Cup | Top league scorer(s) | ||||||||
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Position | Player | Goals | ||||
| 2014–15 | BCL | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 15 | 7th | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2015–16 | BCL | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 27 | 1st | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2017 | BCL | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 25 | 4th | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2018–19 | BCL | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 7th | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2019–20 | BCL | Cancelled[28] | DNP | DNP | — | — | |||||||
| 2020–21 | BCL | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 7th | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2021–22 | BCL | 22 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 26 | 21 | 29 | 6th | DNP | DNP | ||
| 2022–23 | BCL | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 24 | 29 | 4th | DNP | DNP | ||
Honours edit
- Dhaka Senior Division League
- Champions (3): 2007–08, 2010, 2014
- Dhaka First Division League
- Champions (2): 1993, 2003–04
- Runners-up (1): 2000
- Dhaka Second Division League
- Champions (1): 1987
- Dhaka Third Division League
- Champions (1): 1960
References edit
- ^ a b c d Alam, Masud (16 October 2020). ইয়ংমেনসের টাকা কোথায় যায় কেউ জানে না. prothomalo.com (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Iftekhar, Rubaid (25 September 2019). "Young Men's Club: Talent producer turns into gambling house". The Business Standard. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Alam, Masud (14 January 2020). ঐতিহ্যের পথে ঘুরে দাঁড়াক মোহামেডান. prothomalo.com (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ Iftekhar, Rubaid (26 September 2019). ইয়ং মেনস ক্লাব: জুয়া-ক্যাসিনোয় হারিয়ে গেছে যে সোনালি অতীত. The Business Standard (in Bengali). from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Amin Kiron, Nazmul (21 July 2020). স্মৃতির পাঁতায় চট্টলার ক্রীড়াঙ্গনের অতিচেনা জনপ্রিয় ফুটবল ব্যক্তিত্ব নজরুল ইসলাম লেদু. Kiron Sports Desk (in Bengali). from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh 1999". RSSSF. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Senior Division football from Dec 31". The Daily Star. 22 October 2009. from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2007.
- ^ "Bangladesh 2007/08". RSSSF. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Bashundara Senior Division 2010". RSSSF. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Renamed League kicks off Sunday". The Daily Star. 22 October 2009. from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "চ্যাম্পিয়নশিপ লীগ ফুটবলে দল বাড়ছে". Daily Janakantha. 12 February 2017. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Fakirerpool champions". The Daily Star. 10 January 2017. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ ইয়ংমেন্সের পুনর্জীবনে আলোর বন্যা. prothomalo.com (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. 11 January 2017. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "প্রিমিয়ারে খেলতে চায় না ফকিরেরপুল". Kalerkantho (in Bengali). 16 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Police were their close neighbours". The Daily Star. 20 September 2019. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Toklis powers Victoria". The Daily Star. 8 February 2013. from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Helping Nepalis to flee: 'No evidence found against police'". The Daily Star. 24 September 2019. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Amin, Nurul (21 September 2019). "Khalid made Tk10 lakh every night from the casino". The Business Standard. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Rahman, Anisur (3 September 2023). "'Our football is orphaned'". The Daily Star. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Tanzib, Arefin (24 September 2019). মতিঝিল ‘ক্লাব পাড়া’য় সুনসান নীরবতা!!. channelionline.com (in Bengali). from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ মতিঝিল-ফকিরাপুলের ক্লাবগুলোতে তালা. barta24.com (in Bengali). 22 September 2019. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "ফকিরেরপুল ইয়ংমেন্সে ক্যাসিনো-কমিটি!". Jugantor (in Bengali). 4 January 2023. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "ইয়ংমেন্স ক্লাবের চেয়ারম্যান রাশেদ খান মেনন". BanglaTribune (in Bengali). 18 September 2019. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "ভিক্টোরিয়া ক্লাব এখন 'ভূতুড়ে বাড়ি'". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 4 September 2023. from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ ক্যাসিনো–কাণ্ডে বন্ধ ক্লাব খোলার উদ্যোগ. prothomalo.com (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. 19 June 2023. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ মতিঝিলপাড়ার ক্লাবে প্রাণচাঞ্চল্য ফেরার আশা. Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). 15 September 2023. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ দুয়ার খুলছে ক্যাসিনো-কাণ্ডে বন্ধ ক্লাবগুলোর. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 19 June 2023. from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "All League Suspended". 16 March 2020. from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
External links edit
- Fakirerpool Young Men's Club at Soccerway
- Fakirerpool Young Men's Club at Global Sports Archive