imported>Billjones94 at 15:41, 29 August 2021

2021-08-29T15:41:31Z

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{{short description|Association football club based in Kolkata}}
{{about|the Kolkata based football club|the business conglomerate in Kolkata|Peerless Group}}
{{short description|Association football club}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Peerless SC <br/> পিয়ারলেস স্পোর্টস ক্লাব
| image = Peerless SC logo.png
| image_size =
| fullname = Peerless Sports Club
| nickname = ''Peerless''
| founded = {{start date and age|df=yes|1993}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.dw.com/bn/%E0%A7%AC%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8/a-50708791|title=৬১ বছর পর তিন প্রধান ম্লান|website=amp.dw.com|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>
| ground = [[Salt Lake Stadium]] <br/> [[Barasat Stadium]]
| capacity = 85,000 <br> 22,000
| owner = [[Peerless Group|Bengal Peerless Housing Devpt]]
| chairman = Patit Paban Ray<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/sports/football/news/peerless-club-to-be-declared-champions-as-remaining-i-league-matches-cancelled-due-to-nationwide-lockdown/amp_articleshow/75689308.cms|title=ইতিহাসের চ্যাম্পিয়নই লিগে খেলতে দ্বিধায়|website=eisamay.indiatimes.com|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>
| manager = Subrata Bhattacharya
| league = [[Calcutta Football League|Calcutta Premier Division A]]
| season = [[2019–20 Calcutta Premier Division|2019–20]]
| position = Champions
| website =
}}

'''Peerless Sports Club''' (formerly known as '''Peerless FC'''), or simply '''Peerless''', is an [[India]]n professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]].<ref name="KN1">{{cite news|title=Top five underdog teams in Calcutta Football League 2019|url=https://khelnow.com/news/article/calcutta-football-league-2019-top-five-underdog-teams|access-date=27 July 2019|work=Khel Now|date=25 July 2019}}</ref> Founded in 1993, the club is owned by [[Peerless Group]] and currently competes in the [[Calcutta Football League|Calcutta Premier Division A]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=India - List of Calcutta/Kolkata League Champions|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiacalchamp.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=www.rsssf.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Md. Sp. held by Peerless|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/md-sp-held-by-peerless/cid/1349292|work=telegraphindia.com |access-date= 15 July 2019}}</ref> the top tier state football league of [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/calcutta-football-league-cfl-2019-title-winner-final-peerless-east-bengal-calcutta-customs-mohun-bagan-mohammedan-sporting-menendez/article29585184.ece|title=Peerless wins Calcutta Football League title as East Bengal presents a 'no-show'|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/Peerless-Kolkata-Small-Hungry-Football-Club-Snatched-Rights-Big-Two|title=Peerless in Kolkata: How a Small, Hungry Football Club Snatched Bragging Rights From the Big Two|website=newsclick.in|access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Abhishek Ganguly|title=Comfortable win for Mohammedan Sporting in IFA Shield opener |department=Football News|newspaper=Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/comfortable-win-for-mohammedan-sporting-in-ifa-shield-opener/articleshow/79593906.cms|access-date=2020-12-07|language=en}}</ref> Peerless is currently the defending champion of the [[Calcutta Football League]] and widely regarded as the ''Giant killer''.

The club has refused to take part in the [[I-League 2nd Division]] owing to financial matters. After the three [[Kolkata]] giants [[Mohun Bagan AC]], [[SC East Bengal]] and [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan Sporting]], Peerless is considered as the strongest side from [[Kolkata|the city of joy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/football/peerless-sc-become-1st-team-in-61-years-to-win-calcutta-football-league-outside-big-three-2332915.html|title=Peerless SC Become 1st Team in 61 Years to win Calcutta Football League Outside 'Big Three'|website=news18.com|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Shabbir Ali.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Shabbir Ali]] was the coach of Peerless during their early seasons.]]
Peerless as a [[Football club|club]] began their journey from [[Kolkata Maidan]], the home of [[Football in Kolkata|Kolkata football]]. The club is founded in 1993 and owned by their parent organization [[Peerless Group]], a business [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] in [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.dw.com/bn/%E0%A7%AC%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8/a-50708791|title=৬১ বছর পর তিন প্রধান ম্লান|website=amp.dw.com|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>

Earlier in the 90s, the club competed in the [[Calcutta Football League|Calcutta Premier League second division]]. Former [[India national football team|India]] international [[Shabbir Ali]] was in charge of the club and under his coaching, Peerless promoted itself from the second division to the [[Calcutta Football League|Kolkata Premier division A]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/ali_shabbir.html|title=Indian Football "HALL OF FAME"|website=indianfootball.de|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebridge.in/football/jahar-das-man-behind-peerless-historic-calcutta-football-league-glory/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Jahar Das — The man behind Peerless FC’s historic Calcutta Football League glory|website=thebridge.in|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

In 2018, the club signed [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] international [[Anthony Wolfe]] ahead of their CFL season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12161/Anthony_Wolfe.html|title=Anthony Wolfe (Trinidad and Tobago) club transfers|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref> Thus he became the club's first and only footballer who has appeared in the [[FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/wolfe-nets-winner/cid/1664773|title=Wolfe nets winner|website=The Telegraph India|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://xtratime.in/cfl-2018-anthony-wolfes-stunning-goal-hands-peerless-full-points-against-mohammedan-sporting/|title=Anthony Wolfe's stunning goal hands Peerless full points against Mohammedan Sporting|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Xtratime.in}}</ref>

In 2019, Peerless created history after winning the [[2019–20 Calcutta Premier Division]], defeating their archrivals; three [[Kolkata]] giants. The club managed by [[Jahar Das]], emerged as the first small club since 1958 to win the [[Calcutta Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kolkatatoday.com/sports/we-have-proved-kromah-leaded-the-team-from-the-front-jahar-das-peerless-coach/|website=Kolkata Today|title=we have proved. Kromah leaded the team from the front :Jahar Das ,Peerless coach|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>

As defending champion, Peerless began their [[2021–22 Calcutta Premier Division]] journey on 17 August, defeating Kidderpore FC 4–1.<ref>[https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/sports/cfl-big-win-for-peerless-sc-against-kidderpore/cid/1826923 CFL: Big win for Peerless SC against Kidderpore] ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved 18 August 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/indian-football/news-cfl-2021-peerless-start-title-defense-win-kidderpore Peerless begin title defense with win against Kidderpore] ''Sportskeeda.com''. Retrieved 18 August 2021</ref>

==Ownership and finances==
'''Peerless Sports Club''' (formed in 1993) is currently owned by [[Peerless Group]], its major holding company is [[Peerless Group|Peerless General Finance & Investment Co Ltd]], which is India's Registered Residuary Non-banking Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Non-finance business to drive growth of Peerless Group |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/non-finance-business-to-drive-growth-of-peerless-group/article19939881.ece |website=The Hindu |date=28 October 2017 |language=en-IN}}</ref> It has subsidiaries like [[Peerless Hospital]], Bengal Peerless (real estate), Kaizen Holidays and others.

Patit Paban Ray, board member of [[Peerless Group|Bengal Peerless Housing Development Co Ltd]], is currently the chairman of Peerless Club.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17298129 Patit Paban Ray Board Member, Bengal Peerless Housing Devpt] ''bloomberg.com''. Retrieved 17 March 2021</ref>

==Stadium==
{{Main|Barasat Stadium|Rabindra Sarobar Stadium}}

[[File:Barasat Stadium.png|thumb|alt=White gate with stone pillars and a tree|Entrance of the [[Barasat Stadium|Barasat Vidyasagar Krirangan]].]]
Peerless plays most of their home matches of [[Calcutta Football League|Calcutta Football League Premier Division A]] at both the [[Barasat Stadium]] and [[Rabindra Sarobar Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/calcutta-football-league-cfl-2019-goal-score-peerless-mohun-bagan-bhawanipur-mohammedan-sporting/article29459916.ece/amp/|title=Calcutta Football League: Peerless continues to top league standings|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref>

==Honours==
[[File:Jahar Das - Howrah 2014-09-28 8248.JPG|thumb|150px|[[Jahar Das]] was the manager who led the team to [[Calcutta Football League]] victory.]]
*'''[[Calcutta Football League|Calcutta Premier Division A]]'''
:[[File:Simple cup icon.svg|16px]] Champions (1): [[2019–20 Calcutta Premier Division|2019–20]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiafooty.com/calcutta-premier-division-a-2019-20/|title=CALCUTTA PREMIER DIVISION A 2019/20|website=Indianfooty.com|access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=India - List of Calcutta/Kolkata League Champions|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiacalchamp.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=www.rsssf.com}}</ref>
:{{Silver2}} Runners-up (1): [[2018–19 Calcutta Premier Division|2018–19]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kolkatafootball.com/ifa_cfl_premier_2018-19/result.html#aug_9|title=CFL 2018-19|website=kolkatafootball.com|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref>
:{{Bronze3}} Third place (1): 1996–97<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india97.html#calc India Regional Championships: CFL 1996/97] ''RSSSF''. Retrieved 17 August 2021</ref>
*'''[[All Airlines Gold Cup]]'''
:{{Silver2}} Runners-up (2): 1998, 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/airlinesgoldcup.html|title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Airlines Gold Cup:|website=Indianfootball.de|access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>

Peerless SC scripted history as they became the only club outside the '''''Big Three''''' ([[Mohun Bagan AC]], [[East Bengal FC]], & [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan Sporting]]) to win the Championship in 61 years. [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway Club]] did the same back in 1958.

==Notable former players==
''For current and former notable Peerless SC players with a Wikipedia article, see [[:Category:Peerless SC players|Peerless SC players]]''

==Managerial history==
* {{flagicon|IND}} [[Shabbir Ali]] (1993–1995)
* {{flagicon|IND}} [[Biswajit Bhattacharya]] (2018–2019)<ref>[https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/football/top-stories/peerless-coach-biswajit-bhattacharya-quits-after-plotting-east-bengals-downfall/amp_articleshow/65715298.cms Biswajit Bhattacharya quits after plotting East Bengal's downfall] ''The Times of India''. Retrieved 18 August 2021</ref>
* {{flagicon|IND}} [[Jahar Das]] (2019–2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebridge.in/football/jahar-das-man-behind-peerless-historic-calcutta-football-league-glory/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Jahar Das — The man behind Peerless FC’s historic Calcutta Football League glory|website=thebridge.in|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|IND}} Subrata Bhattacharya (2021–present)

==See also==
* [[Calcutta Football League]]
* [[Football in Kolkata]]
* [[List of football clubs in Kolkata]]
* [[List of football clubs in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Football in India}}

==External links==
* [https://ifawb.org/team/peerless-sc/ PEERLESS SC] at ''IFA West Bengal''
* [https://int.soccerway.com/teams/india/peerless/26353/ Peerless Sports Club] at ''Soccerway.com''

{{Calcutta Football League}}
{{West Bengal Sports}}

[[Category:Football clubs in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Sports clubs in India]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1993]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Sport in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Works association football clubs in India]]

Peerless SC - Revision history

imported>Billjones94 at 15:41, 29 August 2021