The 2023–24 season was the 36th season of Churchill Brothers in existence and fifteenth in the I-League.[1][2][3][4] A new coach for the team, Edgardo Malvestiti, was appointed on 29 July 2023.[5] The club has mutually parted ways with the head coach from Argentina after finding themselves in the bottom half of the I-League midway into the season.[6] Francesc Bonet replaced him in January 2024.[7]
| 2023–24 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | Valanka Alemao | ||
| Head coach | Edgardo Malvestiti (until January 2024) Francesc Bonet (from January) | ||
| Stadium | Tilak Maidan | ||
| I-League | 7th | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ogana Louis (7) All: Ogana Louis (7) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 2,314 (v. Inter Kashi 17 November 2023) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 200 (v. Shillong Lajong 4 March 2024) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 1,156 | ||
| Biggest win | 7–0 v. Rajasthan United | ||
| Biggest defeat | 4–0 v. Aizawl | ||
|
| |||
Churchill Brothers played their opening game of the season on 31 October 2023 in a goalless draw against Namdhari at home.[8] Their first win came in the next game, away against Real Kashmir on 8 November.[9] They played their final match of the season on 10 April 2024, in a 7–0 win at home against Rajasthan United. They finished with 33 points,[10] and seventh on the I-League table at the end of the season. After a poor first half, Churchill Brothers won six of their last nine matches.[11]
Personnel
editCurrent technical staff
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Francesc Bonet
|
| Assistant coach |  Mario Soares
|
| Fitness and conditioning coach |  Djair Miranda Garcia
|
| Goalkeeping coach | Nikidesh Kalari Vattath
|
| Head physiotherapist | Anandu S Kumar
|
Current squad
editFirst-team squad
edit- As of 3 February 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers
editIn
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Player | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 July 2023 | GK |
|
Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | Real Kashmir
|
Free Transfer | |
| 5 August 2023 | GK |
|
Bilal Khan | Gokulam Kerala
|
Free Transfer | |
| 11 August 2023 | MF |
|
Gourav K | Kerala Blasters B
|
Free Transfer | |
| 23 August 2023 | CB |
|
Nishchal Chandan | Sudeva Delhi
|
Free Transfer | |
| 3 September 2023 | DF |
|
Lalbiakhlua Ralte | Chhinga Veng FC
|
Undisclosed Fee | |
| 5 September 2023 | DF | 
|
Emiliano Callegari Torre |  Floriana
|
Free Transfer | |
| 9 September 2023 | FW |
|
Stendly Fernandes | Sporting Clube de Goa
|
Free Transfer | |
| 5 October 2023 | FW |
|
Ricardo Dichiara | Club Atlético Germinal
|
Free Transfer | |
| 8 October 2023 | FW |
|
Faisal Ali | Bengaluru
|
Free Transfer | |
| 11 October 2023 | MF |
|
Rahul Raju | Gokulam Kerala
|
Free Transfer | |
| 16 October 2023 | CB | 
|
Meysam Shahmakvand |  Mohammedan SC
|
Free Transfer | |
| 16 October 2023 | RB |
|
Sebastian Thangmuansang | Odisha
|
Free Transfer | |
| 27 October 2023 | FW |
|
Lunminlen Haokip | NEROCA
|
Free Transfer | |
| 28 October 2023 | CB |
|
Lesly Rebello | Goa
|
Free Transfer | |
| 3 November 2023 | FW | 
|
Chikaorah Obiajulu |
|
Free Transfer | |
| 13 November 2023 | FW |
|
Ogana Louis | Sreenidi Deccan
|
Free Transfer | |
| 02 February 2024 | FW | 
|
Abdou Karim Samb | Shillong Lajong
|
Free Transfer | |
| 03 February 2024 | RB |
|
Ajith Kumar | Chennaiyin
|
Free Transfer | |
| 03 February 2024 | DF | 
|
Aubin Kouakou |  Al-Nasr Benghazi
|
Free Transfer | |
| 07 February 2024 | MF | 
|
Kofi Essien | Berekum Chelsea
|
Free Transfer |
Loans in
edit| Date | Pos | Nationality | Player | Loaned from | Until | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 September 2023 | FW |
|
Silvana R Lalruatkima | Chhinga Veng FC
|
31 May 2024 |
Out
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Player | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2023 | FW | 
|
Emmanuel Yaghr |  Dinamo Samarqand
|
Free Transfer | |
| 1 June 2023 | DF |
|
Akash Mukherjee | Bhawanipore
|
Free Transfer | |
| 1 July 2023 | MF | 
|
Sharif Mukhammad | — | Released | |
| 1 July 2023 | DF |
|
Momo Cissé | — | Released | |
| 1 July 2023 | FW |
|
Abdoulaye Sané | — | Released[a] | |
| 7 July 2023 | DF |
|
Raju Gaikwad | Delhi
|
Free Transfer | [12] |
| 15 July 2023 | FW | 
|
Ansumana Kromah | Bodoland
|
Free Transfer | |
| 20 July 2023 | MF |
|
Kingslee Fernandes | Punjab
|
Free Transfer | [13] |
| 20 July 2023 | FW |
|
Afdal Varikkodan | — | Released | |
| 22 July 2023 | MF |
|
Quan Gomes | — | Released | |
| 22 July 2023 | DF |
|
Meldon D'Silva | — | Released | |
| 22 July 2023 | MF |
|
Wendell Savio Coelho | — | Released | |
| 25 July 2023 | FW |
|
Alocious Muthayyan | United SC
|
Free Transfer | |
| 29 July 2023 | GK |
|
Albino Gomes | Sreenidi Deccan
|
Free Transfer | |
| 30 August 2023 | GK |
|
Nora Fernandes | Aizawl
|
Free Transfer | |
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Nongmeikapam Sanathoi Meitei | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
George D'Souza | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Joseph Clemente | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | MF |
|
Kapil Hoble | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Gautam Inacio Dias | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | FW |
|
Lalkhawpuimawia | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | FW |
|
Aaron Bareto | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Alent Colaco | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Vanlalduatsanga | Free Agent | ||
| 30 August 2023 | MF |
|
Shubert Pereira | Free Agent | ||
| 3 January 2024 | FW |
|
Ricardo Dichiara | Żabbar St. Patrick
|
Free Agent | [14] |
| 3 January 2024 | DF |
|
Emiliano Callegari Torre | Free Agent | [14] | |
| 3 January 2024 | DF |
|
Meysam Shahmakvand | Free Agent | [14] | |
| 3 January 2024 | FW |
|
Chaitan Komarpant | Geno FC
|
Free Agent |
Competitions
editOverview
edit| Competition | First match | Last match | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| I League | 31 October 2023 | 10 April 2024 | 7th | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 37.50 |
| Total | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 37.50 | |||
Source: Competitions
I-League
editLeague table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Real Kashmir | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 36 | 19 | +17 | 40 |
| 6 | Delhi | 24 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 44 | 40 | +4 | 35 |
| 7 | Churchill Brothers | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 33 |
| 8 | Shillong Lajong | 24 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 36 | 37 | −1 | 31 |
| 9 | Namdhari | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 40 | −11 | 27 |
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
Matches
editNote: I-League announced the fixtures for the 2023–24 season on 6 October 2023.[15]
| 31 October 2023 1 | Namdhari | 0–0 | Churchill Brothers | Bhaini Sahib |
| 14:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Namdhari Stadium Attendance: 561 Referee: Dipu Roy Man of the Match: Martín Cháves (Churchill Brothers) |
| 8 November 2023 3 | Real Kashmir | 1–3 | Churchill Brothers | Srinagar |
| 14:00 IST | Ateeb Ahmed Dar  45' |
Report |
|
Stadium: TRC Turf Ground Attendance: 4,728 Referee: Surojit Das Man of the Match: Ricardo Dichiara (Churchill Brothers) |
| 13 November 2023 4 | Rajasthan United | 2–0 | Churchill Brothers | Hyderabad |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Deccan Arena Attendance: 150 Referee: Ashish Tiwari Man of the Match: Lalchungnunga Chhangte (Rajasthan United) |
| 17 November 2023 5 | Churchill Brothers | 1–2 | Inter Kashi | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 2,314 Referee: Lakshay Man of the Match: Gyamar Nikum (Inter Kashi) |
| 22 November 2023 6 | Churchill Brothers | 4–0 | TRAU | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 1,895 Referee: K. Lyngdoh Nongum Man of the Match: Ricardo Dichiara (Churchill Brothers) |
| 26 November 2023 7 | Gokulam Kerala | 1–1 | Churchill Brothers | Kozhikode |
| 19:00 IST | Sánchez 73' (pen.) |
Report | Costa 38' |
Stadium: EMS Stadium Attendance: 13,425 Referee: Suresh Devaraj Man of the Match: Emiliano Callegari (Churchill Brothers) |
| 1 December 2023 8 | Delhi | 2–1 | Churchill Brothers | Bhaini Sahib |
| 14:00 IST |
|
Report | Martín Cháves 24' |
Stadium: Namdhari Stadium Attendance: 1,058 Referee: Jehrul Islam Man of the Match: Pape Gassama (Delhi) |
| 6 December 2023 9 | Shillong Lajong | 2–0 | Churchill Brothers | Shillong |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: SSA Stadium Attendance: 6,115 Referee: Anand Rana Man of the Match: Renan Paulino (Shillong Lajong) |
| 9 December 2023 10 | Churchill Brothers | 4–1 | NEROCA | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Ansumana Kromah 47' |
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Jatinder Singh Man of the Match: Faisal Ali (Churchill Brothers) |
| 17 December 2023 11 | Churchill Brothers | 0–0 | Mohammedan | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 1,683 Referee: Akashkumar Mehta Man of the Match: Padam Chettri (Mohammedan) |
| 4 February 2024 12 | Churchill Brothers | 1–2 | Sreenidi Deccan | Vasco |
| 16.30 IST | Abdou Karim Samb 88' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 500 Referee: Williams Joy Koshy Man of the Match: Eli Sabiá (Sreenidi Deccan) |
| 10 February 2024 13 | Churchill Brothers | 1–1 | Namdhari | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST | Martín Cháves 75' |
Report | Akashdeep Singh 57' |
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 1,633 Referee: K. Ramdasan Man of the Match: Martín Cháves (Churchill Brothers) |
| 14 February 2024 14 | Inter Kashi | 1–1 | Churchill Brothers | Kalyani |
| 19:00 IST | Muhammad Ajsal 56' |
Report | Emmanuel Essien 52' |
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium Attendance: 259 Referee: K. Lyngdoh Nongum Man of the Match: Muhammad Ajsal (Inter Kashi) |
| 17 February 2024 15 | Churchill Brothers | 0–2 | Real Kashmir | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 825 Referee: Mithun Kumar Kundu Man of the Match: Gnohere Krizo (Real Kashmir) |
| 24 February 2024 16 | Churchill Brothers | 1–2 | Gokulam Kerala | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Tanmoy Dhar Man of the Match: Abhijith Kurungodan (Gokulam Kerala) |
| 27 February 2024 17 | Churchill Brothers | 2–0 | Delhi | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST | Ogana Louis 12', 20' (pen.) |
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 921 Referee: Arvind Sekhar Man of the Match: Ogana Louis (Churchill Brothers) |
| 4 March 2024 18 | Churchill Brothers | 2–1 | Shillong Lajong | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Phrangki Buam 42' |
Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 200 Referee: Williams Joy Koshy |
| 8 March 2024 19 | NEROCA | 2–3 | Churchill Brothers | Shillong |
| 16.30 IST |
|
Report | Abdou Karim Samb 22', 75', 86' |
Stadium: SSA Stadium Attendance: 50 Referee: Mithun Kumar Kundu Man of the Match: Abdou Karim Samb (Churchill Brothers) |
| 12 March 2024 20 | Mohammedan | 3–2 | Churchill Brothers | Kolkata |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Naihati Stadium Referee: Williams Joy Koshy Man of the Match: Eddie Hernández (Mohammedan) |
| 24 March 2024 21 | Sreenidi Deccan | 2–2 | Churchill Brothers | Hyderabad |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Deccan Arena Attendance: 250 Referee: Aditya Purkayastha Man of the Match: Stendly Fernandes (Churchill Brothers) |
| 28 March 2023 2 | Aizawl | 4–0 | Churchill Brothers | Aizawl |
| 20:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Jehrul Islam Man of the Match: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (Aizawl) |
| 1 April 2024 22 | TRAU | 0–2 | Churchill Brothers | Kalyani |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Kalyani Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Tanmoy Dhar Man of the Match: Martín Cháves (Churchill Brothers) |
| 5 April 2024 23 | Churchill Brothers | 2–0 | Aizawl | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 275 Referee: Mrutyunjay L. Amatya Man of the Match: Ogana Louis (Churchill Brothers) |
| 10 April 2024 24 | Churchill Brothers | 7–0 | Rajasthan United | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 550 Referee: I. Jamal Mohamed Man of the Match: Ogana Louis (Churchill Brothers) |
Statistics
editGoalscorers
edit| Rank | No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | I League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | FW |
|
Ogana Louis | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 7 | FW |
|
Stendly Fernandes | 5 | 5 |
| 9 | FW |
|
Ricardo Dichiara | 5 | 5 | |
| 10 | MF | 
|
Martín Cháves | 5 | 5 | |
| 70 | FW |
|
Abdou Karim Samb | 5 | 5 | |
| 6 | 33 | MF |
|
Richard Costa | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | 11 | FW |
|
Faisal Ali | 2 | 2 |
| 20 | MF |
|
Lamgoulan Semkholun | 2 | 2 | |
| 9 | 18 | FW |
|
Trijoy Dias | 1 | 1 |
| 28 | DF |
|
Emiliano Callegari | 1 | 1 | |
| 40 | MF |
|
Emmanuel Essien | 1 | 1 | |
| Own Goals | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 41 | 41 | ||||
Notes
edit- ^ Joined Nîmes Olympique after release
References
edit- ^ "AIFF looks to increase teams in I-League, number of foreigners in squad to be reduced". 1 May 2023.
- ^ "AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2023–24 season onwards | Hero I-League".
- ^ "AIFF looks to increase teams in I-League, number of foreigners in the squad to be reduced". The Indian Express. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "I-League Foreigner Rule: AIFF League Committee reduces number of foreigners in I-League". Inside Sport India. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "After six-month chase, Argentina coach says yes to Churchill Bros". The Times of India. 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Churchill part ways with coach, 3 foreign players". The Times of India. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Mallick, Ankush (28 January 2024). "Churchill Brothers FC Announce Francesc Bonet as Head Coach for the Remainder of the I-League 2023–24 Season". technosports.co.in. Techno Sports India. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ "Debutants Namdhari FC grab a point from old horse Churchill Brothers | I-League". Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Churchill Brothers win in Srinagar despite late Real Kashmir surge | I-League". Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Churchill Brothers end 2023-24 season on winning note | I-League". Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "A below-par performance by Churchill Brothers at I-League this season". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ @Delhi_FC (7 July 2023). "Experience, Grace and Ability combined together as we welcome, 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐮 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐝 to add solidity to our back line" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-isl-punjab-fc-sign-samuel-kingslee-nitesh
- ^ a b c "Churchill part ways with coach, 3 foreign players". The Times of India. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "AIFF announces fixtures for I-League, IWL | I-League". i-league.org.