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IFA Shield

IFA Shield: List of all winners

Published at :July 27, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Modified at :July 27, 2024 at 1:33 PM
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Alen Philip Mathew

Kolkata clubs have dominated the prestigious IFA Shield over the years.

The IFA Shield is one of the most coveted and oldest football competitions in India, organized by the Indian Football Association, based in West Bengal. First held in 1893, it is the third oldest football competition in India after the Durand Cup and Trades Cup and one of the oldest football tournaments in the world.

Historical Importance

The first IFA Shield was won by the Royal Irish Rifles in 1893, and in the early years of its existence, it was completely dominated by the British Army teams.

Probably the most dramatic turn the event took was in the 1911 game when Mohun Bagan became the first all-Indian side to clinch the Shield by defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment. The win held great significance for Indian football but was a symbolic gesture, during the struggle of India seeking independence.

Development of the Tournament

From 2015 to 2018, remodelling of the IFA Shield was done to make it essentially a youth tournament due to the congested schedule of the AIFF. This includes tournaments like the Indian Super League, the I-League, the I-League 2nd Division, state leagues, and the Super Cup. IFA Shield resumed in 2020 as a senior event.

Added to that is the fact that Kolkata clubs have never failed to leave a mark at the tournament where East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been outstanding with multiple titles on their hands and remarkable performances that kept their fans entertained. It is usually the main attraction of IFA Shield because numerous people come to witness such matches, which have created everlasting memories.

Evolution of the Tournament

East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are among the oldest clubs in India and both have made important contributions in the IFA Shield. They have won the title several times.

This demonstrates how powerful they are in Indian football. Apart from these two local clubs, other teams from different parts of the world have been part of this tournament. This has led to the rich history of the tournament. Participation has also extended to foreign clubs, giving an international flavour to the competition.

Besides traditional powerhouses, quite a few other clubs have left their mark in the annals of the IFA Shield. They are Calcutta FC, Mohammedan Sporting, and, more recently, Real Kashmir FC. IFA Shield played an important role in the development of budding talents in football throughout India, thus handing over its legacy to future generations.

IFA Shield Winners

EditionWinners
1893Royal Irish Rifles
1894Royal Irish Rifles
1895Royal Welsh Fusiliers
1896Calcutta FC
1897Dalhousie
1898Gloucester
1899South Lancashire
1900Calcutta FC
1901Royal Irish Rifles
190293rd Highlanders
1903Calcutta FC
1904Calcutta FC
1905Dalhousie
1906Calcutta FC
1907Highland Light Infantry
1908Gordon Highlanders
1909Gordon Highlanders
1910Gordon Highlanders
1911Mohun Bagan AC
1912Royal Irish Rifles
1913Royal Irish Rifles
1914King’s Own Regiment
1915Calcutta FC
1916North Stafford
191710th Middlesex
1918Training Reserve Battalion
19191st Battalion Brecknockshire
1920Black Watch
19213rd Battalion Brecknockshire
1922Calcutta FC
1923Calcutta FC
1924Calcutta FC
19252nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
1926Sherwood Foresters
1927Sherwood Foresters
1928Sherwood Foresters
19292nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
1930D. Seaforth Highlanders
1931Highland Light Infantry
19322nd Battalion Essex Regiment
1933DCLI
1934King’s Royal Rifles
1935East Yorkshire Regiment
1936Mohammedan Sporting Club
19376th Fire Brigade
1938East York
1939Police AC
1940Aryans Club
1941Mohammedan Sporting Club
1942Mohammedan Sporting Club
1943East Bengal Club
1944EB Railways
1945East Bengal Club
1947Mohun Bagan AC
1948Mohun Bagan AC
1949East Bengal Club
1950East Bengal Club
1951East Bengal Club
1952Mohun Bagan AC
1953Indian Culture League
1954Mohun Bagan AC
1955Rajasthan Club
1956Mohun Bagan AC
1957Mohammedan Sporting Club
1958East Bengal Club
1960Mohun Bagan AC
1961Mohun Bagan AC & East Bengal Club – Joint Winners
1962Mohun Bagan AC
1963B.N. Railways
1965East Bengal Club
1966East Bengal Club
1969Mohun Bagan AC
1970East Bengal Club
1971Mohammedan Sporting Club
1973East Bengal Club
1974East Bengal Club
1975East Bengal Club
1976Mohun Bagan AC & East Bengal Club – Joint Winners
1977Mohun Bagan AC
1978Ararat Erevan & Mohun Bagan AC – Joint Winners
1979Mohun Bagan AC
1981Mohun Bagan AC & East Bengal Club – Joint Winners
1982Mohun Bagan AC
1983Aryans Club & East Bengal Club – Joint Winners
1984East Bengal Club
1985Peñarol
1986East Bengal Club
1987Mohun Bagan AC
1989Mohun Bagan AC
1990East Bengal Club
1991East Bengal Club
1993Pakhtakor Club
1994East Bengal Club
1995East Bengal Club
1996JCT Mills
1997East Bengal Club
1998Mohun Bagan AC
1999Mohun Bagan AC
2000East Bengal Club
2002East Bengal Club
2003Mohun Bagan AC
2004Finance and Revenue
2005FC Bayern München II
2006Mahindra United
2008Mahindra United
2009Churchill Brothers SC
2011Churchill Brothers SC
2012East Bengal Club
2013Prayag United
2014Mohammedan Sporting Club
2015United Sports Club U-19
2016Tata Football Academy
2017FC Pune City U-19
2018East Bengal U-19
2020Real Kashmir
2021Real Kashmir
2022Not held
2023Not held

The history of the IFA Shield demonstrates global outreach and competitive spirit in the tournament. The competition is indeed a very prestigious event in Indian football and represents the rich cultural and historical heritage of the game within the country.

The competition has made strides through time to suit the changing patterns in Indian football while not losing its historical value.

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