RoundGlass Punjab FC unveil squad, new logo, kits for I-League 2020-21

The club, through an online press conference, introduced Nikolaos Topoliatis as the Director of Football and Curtis Fleming as the Head Coach for the forthcoming season.

RoundGlass Punjab FC announced its arrival in the Hero I-League with its first team. While building the squad for the upcoming edition of I-League, RoundGlass Punjab FC has put together an extremely talented combination of both domestic and international players. The Club has a vision to make a significant impact in Indian football through not only its well-trained players but also through a football academy offering world-class facilities. 

The club, through an online press conference, introduced Nikolaos Topoliatis as the Director of Football and Curtis Fleming as the Head Coach for the forthcoming season. Footballers Joseba Beitia, Bikramjit Singh and Bikash Yumnam made their first official appearance for the Club at the press conference. 

“The coming season will mark the inaugural playing season for RoundGlass Punjab FC under its new management. We look forward to establishing the cornerstone for the brand and identity of the Club and orient our fan base towards the values and spirit of football that we want to bring to the League. Towards this objective, we have identified a plan that we hope will help solidify our unique brand of football, cement our relationship with fans, and set us up for the long run as a distinguished brand in the Indian football space. Besides launching our first team, we are also focusing on building a world-class football academy," commented Nikolaos Topoliatis, Director of Football, RoundGlass Punjab FC.

The 38-year-old is also a holder of the final UEFA PRO License and UEFA Youth Coaches’ Instructor. Nikolaos was an important former member of Olympiacos F.C, Greece where he has worked for over 12 years in various roles including Director, Technical Director and Academy Manager, Director of Methodology and Head Coach of all age groups. He also has significant experience in UEFA Youth League and international tournaments, as he has led U19 - U17 - U15 age groups teams in many Superleague Championships.

Curtis is a 51-year-old Irish international footballer who started his coaching career as an interim manager of Crystal Palace in 2012. After a stint with the Eagles, he moved to Bolton Wanderers as manager. He then worked with Hartlepool United and Queens Park Rangers, honing his skills as an assistant manager. In 2018, he joined Middlesbrough and spent a year with the Boros. Curtis was a right back and spent a significant part of his footballing career at the Riverside Stadium. The defender made more than 300 appearances for Boro and won three promotions while with them. He was also part of the squad that reached the League Cup final twice. In 1997, Curtis helped Middlesbrough reach the FA Cup final.

“This club has the vision to take Indian football to its next level and that impressed me, making me take on this responsibility. The owner of the club, Sunny Singh, is very supportive and is providing all necessary facilities to help us make a strong statement in Indian football. We have a great bunch of players who have the hunger to win and the right balance of youth and experience to make us a formidable unit. I’m excited to work with this wonderful club,” said Curtis Fleming, Head Coach, RoundGlass Punjab FC. 

RGPFC players Joesba Beitia, Bikramjit Singh and Bikash Yumnam unveiled the new kits at the conference. 

“I had a memorable last season in Hero I-League and I know what it takes to win the title. RoundGlass Punjab FC is one of the most professional clubs in the country and its vision is what attracted me to join it. We have a great head coach and I can’t wait to start the training. It will be an exciting journey,” said Joseba Beitia, footballer, RoundGlass Punjab FC. Joesba Beitia, 30, made his presence felt in the last Hero I-League with his impressive technique and skills.

“I have won some major titles in my career, but I always had a dream to represent a top-tier club from Punjab. It feels great to be a part of RoundGlass Punjab FC. The facilities here are excellent,” commented Bikramjit Singh, footballer, RoundGlass Punjab FC. Bikramjit, 28, has been a big name in Indian football and he has the experience of winning both I-League and ISL titles before.“I am a young member of this team and I’m so happy to have joined RoundGlass Punjab FC. Our focus will be to improve every day and as our head coach always says, we can express ourselves without any pressure,” said talented Bikash Yumnam, footballer, RoundGlass Punjab FC.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Kiran Limbu (Nepal), Jaspreet Singh, Jaskaranbir Singh, Devansh Dabas

Defenders: Danilo Augusto Chapoval Azevedo (Brazil), Anwar Ali, Bikash Yumnam, Hormipam Ruivah, Aakash Sangwan, Saurabh Bhanwala, Lironthung Lotha, Ashray Bhardwaj, Abhishek Verma

Midfielders: Joseba Beitia (Spain), Sanju Pradhan, Bikramjit Singh, Rupert Nongram, Abinash Rui Das, Souvik Das, Maheson Singh, Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh

Forward: Chencho Gyeltshen (Bhutan), Sumeet Passi, Pritam Singh, Ashish Jha, Telem Suranjit Singh, Thokchom Adison Singh, Denzil Andrew Kharshandi

Director of Football: Nikolaos Topoliatis (Greece)

Head Coach: Curtis Fleming (Republic of Ireland)

Assistant Coaches: Floyd Pinto, Baldeep Singh

Goalkeeping Coach: Dipankar Choudhary

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Steven Jones (England)