Mumbai Football League: Difference between revisions

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{{About|the men's football league|the women's football league|WIFA Women's Football League}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2011}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox football league
{{Infobox football league
Line 8: Line 8:
| country        = India
| country        = India
| confed          =  
| confed          =  
| founded        =  
| founded        = {{start date and age|1902}}<br/>{{small|(as ''Harwood League'')}}<ref name="harwood" />
| first          =  
| first          =  
| folded          =  
| folded          =  
| divisions      = 6
| divisions      = [[#League structure|5]] <br/> ([[MFA Elite League|Elite Division]]<br/> [[MFA Super Division|Super Division]]<br/> [[#Division One|Division One]] <br/> [[#Division Two|Division Two]] <br/> [[#Division Three|Division Three]])
| teams          = 300+
| teams          = 300+
| Organised by    = Mumbai District Football Association
| organiser      = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion      =  
| promotion      = [[I-League 2nd Division]]
| relegation      =  
| relegation      =  
| levels          = 3-7
| levels          = [[Indian football league system|4–8]]
| domest_cup      =  
| domest_cup      =  
| league_cup      =
| league_cup      = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup      =
| champions      = [[Ambernath United Atlanta FC|Ambernath United Atlanta]] (1st title)
| champions      =  
| season          =  
| season          =  
| most_successful =  
| most_successful = Tata Sports Club<br>[[Mahindra United FC]]<br>(13 titles each)
| tv              =  
| tv              =  
| website        =  
| website        =  
| current        =  
| current        = [[2021–22 MFA Elite Division|2021–22 Elite Division]]
}}
}}


The '''Mumbai Football League''' is organised by [[Mumbai District Football Association]] (MDFA) as a ladder-based competition involving a total of six divisions and over 300 teams.<ref>[https://wifa.in/history/ History: The Harwood League] ''wifa.in''. Retrieved 17 August 2021</ref><ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiabomchamp.html India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions] ''RSSSF''. Retrieved 17 August 2021</ref>
The '''Mumbai Football League''', also known as the '''Harwood League''',<ref name="harwood" >{{Cite web|title=India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiabomchamp.html|access-date=2021-12-16|website=www.rsssf.com}}</ref> is organised by [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA) as a [[ladder]]-based competition involving a total of [[#League structure|five divisions]] and over 300 teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wifa.in/history/|title=History: The Harwood League|website=wifa.in|access-date=17 August 2021|publisher=Western India Football Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423142617/https://wifa.in/history/|archive-date=23 April 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Neil Morrison|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiabomchamp.html|title=India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions|website=rsssf.com|publisher=[[RSSSF|Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]|access-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927020500/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiabomchamp.html|archive-date=27 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the top football league in [[Mumbai]] and [[List of oldest football competitions|the second oldest football league]] in [[Asia]] after [[Calcutta Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://wifa.in/history/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=WIFA}}</ref>


== League structure ==
== League structure ==
=== Elite Division ===
{{main|MDFA Elite Division}}
The Elite Division is the topmost division in MFL organised by Mumbai District FA.
Eliminating the much-criticised championship play-offs from previous editions, the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) has restructured the Elite Division 2010–11 season into a classic league format with the teams contesting for the championship and the two dreaded relegation spots.


'''Elite Division format'''
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="2" |MFA Mumbai Football League
|-
!Tier
!Division
|-
!1<br/><sub>(4 on Indian Football [[Indian football league system|Pyramid]])</sub>
|[[MFA Elite League|Premiere League (MFA Elite Division)]]<br/>''<sub>↑promote (to [[I-League 2nd Division|I-league-2]]) ↓relegate</sub>''
|-
!2<br/><sub>(5 on Indian Football [[Indian football league system|Pyramid]])</sub>
|[[MFA Super Division]]<br/>''<sub>↑promote ↓relegate</sub>''
|-
!3<br/><sub>(6 on Indian Football [[Indian football league system|Pyramid]])</sub>
|[[#Division One|MFA Division One]]<br/>''<sub>↑promote ↓relegate</sub>''
|-
!4<br/><sub>(7 on Indian Football [[Indian football league system|Pyramid]])</sub>
|[[#Division Two|MFA Division Two]]<br/>''<sub>↑promote ↓relegate</sub>''
|-
!5<br/><sub>(8 on Indian Football [[Indian football league system|Pyramid]])</sub>
|[[#Duvision Three|MFA Division Three]]<br/>''<sub>↑promote</sub>''
|}


All teams play each other in a round-robin single leg format.
== Elite Division ==
The top two teams at the end of the league will be declared winners and runners up.
The ''MFA Elite Division'', formerly known as the ''MDFA Elite Division'', is the [[state football leagues in India|first tier]] of the Mumbai Football League competition.<ref>[https://wifa.in/history/ History: The Harwood League]. ''wifa.in''. Retrieved 17 August 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Yadav|first1=Siddharth|title=MFA Elite Division 2016–17: The Big Preview|url=http://www.footballcounter.com/2016/mfa-elite-division-2016-17-big-preview/|access-date=7 December 2016|work=Football Counter|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> On March 2022, the MFA Elite Division was rechristened as the ''Harwood Premier League'', on the lines of the name that was once associated with the Mumbai’s top division football stretching back to 1902.<ref>{{cite news|title=MFA planning to rechristen Elite Division as Harwood Premiere League |url=https://www.footballcounter.com/2022/mumbai-footballs-elite-division-rechristened-as-harwood-premiere-league/ |website=Football Counter |last=Shetty |first=Chittu |date=22 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MFA announce first set of fixtures for MFA Elite League |url=https://iftwc.com/mfa-announce-first-set-of-fixtures/ |website=IFTWC |last=Bose |first=Liven |date=29 March 2022 }}</ref>
The teams finishing in the bottom two places at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division.


=== Super Division ===
{{Infobox football league
| name            = MFA Elite League
| image          =  
| pixels          =
| founded        = {{start date and age|1902}}<ref name="harwood" />
| first          =
| folded          =
| teams          = 18
| organiser      = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion      = [[I-League 2nd Division]]
| relegation      = [[MFA Super Division]]
| levels          = [[Indian football league system|4]]
| league_cup      = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup      =
| champions      =
| season          =
| most_successful = Tata Sports Club<br>[[Mahindra United FC]]<br>(13 titles each)
| tv              =
| website        =
| current        = [[2021–22 MFA Elite Division|2021–22]]
}}
 
=== Format ===
The teams play each other in two groups, one for private clubs and other for institutional clubs, in a round-robin single leg format. The top two teams at the end of the league will be declared winners and runners up. The teams finishing in the bottom at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division.
 
=== Winners by year ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="740px" text-align="left"
|-
!width=100px| Year
!width=350px| Winner
!width=400px| Note
|-
|1902
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Oxfordshire Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|1903
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Garrison Artillery]]
|
|-
|1904
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Cheshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1905
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Yorkshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1906
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Scots]]
|
|-
|1907
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Scots]]
|
|-
|1908
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Scots]]
|
|-
|1909
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Gloucestershire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1910
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Garrison Artillery]]
|
|-
|1911
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Warwickshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1912
|{{flagicon|British India}} Royal Army Temperance Association
|
|-
|1913
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Sherwood Foresters]]
|
|-
|1914
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Sherwood Foresters]]
|
|-
|1915
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Garrison Artillery]]
|
|-
|1916–1920
|''None''
|''Not held''
|-
|1921
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[King's Shropshire Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|1922
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[King's Shropshire Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|1923
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]]
|
|-
|1924
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[West Yorkshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1925
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[West Yorkshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1926
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[South Staffordshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1927
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Cheshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1928
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Ulster Rifles]]
|
|-
|1929
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Warwickshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1930
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment]]
|
|-
|1931
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment]]
|
|-
|1932
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]]
|
|-
|1933
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]]
|
|-
|1934
|{{flagicon|British India}} Royal Artillery (Colaba)
|
|-
|1935
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Durham Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|1936
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Durham Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|1937
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Cheshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1938
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Cheshire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1939
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[South Lancashire Regiment]]
|
|-
|1940
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Welch Regiment]]
|
|-
|1941
|{{flagicon|British India}} Y.M.C.A.
|
|-
|1942
|{{flagicon|British India}} Western India Automobile Association Staff
|''First native club to win the league.''
|-
|1943
|{{flagicon|British India}} Western India Automobile Association Staff
|
|-
|1944
|{{flagicon|British India}} Embarkation Headquarters
|
|-
|1945
|{{flagicon|British India}} Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1946
|{{flagicon|British India}} Trades India Sports Club
|
|-
|1947
|Trades India Sports Club
|
|-
|1948
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1949
|Trades India Sports Club
|
|-
|1950
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1951
|India Culture League
|
|-
|1952
|India Culture League
|
|-
|1953
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1954
|[[Indian Navy (football team)|Indian Navy]]
|
|-
|1955
|''None''
|''Abandonded''
|-
|1956
|Burmah-Shell Sports Club
|
|-
|1957
|[[Indian Navy (football team)|Indian Navy]]
|
|-
|1958
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1959
|Western Railway SC
|
|-
|1960
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1961
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1962
|Western Railway SC
|
|-
|1963
|Central Railway SC
|
|-
|1964
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1965
|Central Railway SC
|
|-
|1966
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1967
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1968
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1969
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1970
|[[Mahindra United FC|Mahindra & Mahindra]]
|
|-
|1971
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1972
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1973
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1974–75
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1975–76
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1976
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1977
|Orkay Mills
|
|-
|1978–79
|Mafatlal Group
|
|-
|1979
|Tata Sports Club
|
|-
|1980
|Orkay Mills
|
|-
|1981
|Century Rayon FC
|
|-
|1982
|[[Mahindra United FC|Mahindra & Mahindra]]
|
|-
|1983
|Mafatlal Mills
|
|-
|1984
|[[Mahindra United FC|Mahindra & Mahindra]]
|
|-
|1985
|[[Mahindra United FC|Mahindra & Mahindra]]
|
|-
|1986
|Bank of India (Mumbai)
|
|-
|1987
|Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF)
|
|-
|1988
|Orkay Mills
|
|-
|1989
|Union Bank of India
|
|- style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | ''Two separate leagues ran in competition to each other. The BDFA league retained the right to use the name "Harwood League", while the best teams eventually migrated to the WIFA league.''
|- style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 1990–99
|'''WIFA League, Super Division'''
|'''BDFA/MDFA League (The Harwood League)'''
|-
|1990
|Bank of India (Mumbai)
|Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF)
|-
|1991
|Central Bank
|United Boys (Sahar)
|-
|1992
|[[Air India FC]]
|Central Railway SC
|-
|1993
|Bank of India (Mumbai)
|[[ONGC FC|ONGC]] (Oil & Natural Gas Commission)
|-
|1994
|[[Air India FC]]
|Carmelites SC
|-
|1995
|[[Mahindra United FC|Mahindra & Mahindra]]
|Central Railway SC
|-
|1996
|[[Air India FC]]
|Royal Caterers
|-
|1997
|[[Air India FC]]
|''Abandoned''
|-
|1998
|[[Bengal Mumbai FC]]
|Village Amboli
|-
|1999
|[[Air India FC]]
|''unknown'' (Holy Family/Chembur English/Rhino)
|- style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | ''In 2000, the two leagues merged when MDFA and WIFA resolved their various disputes. The resultant league has since been run by the MDFA (affiliated to WIFA), with the restored title of The Harwood League.''
|- style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Mumbai Football League Elite Division (The Harwood League)'''
|-
|2000
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2001–02
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2002
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2003
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2004
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2005
|[[Maharashtra Police|Maharashtra State Police]]
|
|-
|2006–07
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2007–08
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2008–09
|[[Mahindra United FC]]
|
|-
|2009–10
|[[Air India FC]]
|
|-
|2010–11
|[[Mumbai FC]]
|
|-
|2011–12
|[[ONGC FC]]
|
|-
|2012–13
|''None''
|''Not held''
|-
|2013–14
|[[Air India FC]]
|
|-
|2014–15
|[[Air India FC]]
|
|-
|2015–16
|[[ONGC FC]]
|
|-
|[[2016–17 MDFA Elite Division|2016–17]]
|[[Air India FC]]
|
|-
|[[2017–18 MDFA Elite Division|2017–18]]
|[[ONGC FC]]
|
|-
|[[2018–19 MDFA Elite Division|2018–19]]
|[[Central Board of Excise and Customs|Mumbai Customs]]
|
|-
|2019–20
|Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA)
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=MDFA distribute trophies for Season 2019-20|url=https://www.footballcounter.com/2020/mdfa-distribute-trophies-for-season-2019-20/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Footballcounter}}</ref>
|-
|2020–21
|''None''
|''Cancelled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]''
|- style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Harwood Premiere League'''
|-
|[[2021–22 MFA Elite Division|2021–22]]
|''[[Ambernath United Atlanta FC]]''
|
|-
! colspan="3" align="left"|'''Source: [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiabomchamp.html Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions]'''
|}
 
== Super Division ==
The '''MFA Super Division''',<ref>{{cite web|title=MFA announce teams for Super Division |url=https://www.footballcounter.com/2021/mfa-announce-teams-for-super-division/ |website=Football Counter |access-date=31 December 2021 }}</ref> also formerly known as '''MDFA Super Division''', is a men's [[association football|football]] league in Mumbai. The league serves as the second-tier, organized by the Mumbai District Football Association. The champions of the Super Division get promoted to the MFA Elite Division. The last place teams in the groups gets relegated to the First Division. It is contested by 33 clubs. The current champions are [[Reliance Foundation Youth Sports|Reliance Foundation Youth Champs]] and Atlanta FC are runners up.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shetty|first=Chittu|date=2021-11-04|title=MFA announce teams for Super Division|url=https://www.footballcounter.com/2021/mfa-announce-teams-for-super-division/|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Football Counter|language=en-US}}</ref>
The Super Division is the second highest division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.
The Super Division is the second highest division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.
{{Infobox football league
| name                = MFA Super Division
| logo                =
| pixels              =
| country              = India
| organiser            = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion            = [[MFA Elite Division]]
| relegation          = [[#Division One|MFA Division One]]
| teams                = 33
| levels              = 5
| domest_cup          =
| league_cup          = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup          =
| champions            = [[Reliance Foundation Youth Champs]]
| season              = 2019–20
| most_successful_club =
| tv                  =
| website              =
| current_season      = 2021–22 MFA Super Division
}}


'''Super Division format'''
=== Format ===
All the teams in the division are divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.  
All the teams in the division are divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.  
The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.  
The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round. The top two teams at the end of the league will be promoted to the Elite Division.
The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round. The top two teams at the end of the league will be promoted to the Elite Division.


=== Division One ===
=== All-time participants ===
'''Format '''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Teams
|-
| Spartans Football Academy
|-
| SAFC Rangers
|-
| Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana
|-
| ICL Payyade
|-
| Central Railway (MD)
|-
| Chedda Nagar Prodigies
|-
| Desperados S.C.
|-
| ESIC
|-
| Tarun Sporting Club
|-
| Income Tax
|-
| Juhu Sparks
|-
| Teleperformance
|-
| Kenkre FC U19
|-
| Fr. Agnel Gymkhana
|-
| Iron Born F.C.
|-
| Mumbai Port Trust
|-
| Mumbai Warriors
|-
| Reserve Bank Of India
|-
| Sunday Boys F.C.
|-
| Scorost United
|-
| Veniza Virar F.C.
|-
| Soccer XI
|-
| Springfields F.C.
|-
| Reliance Foundation Young Champs
|-
| Mumbai Ultras F.C.
|-
| State Bank Of India
|-
| West Zone United
|}
 
== Division One ==  
{{Infobox football league
| name                = MFA Division One
| logo                =
| pixels              =
| organiser            = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion            = [[#Super Division|MFA Super Division]]
| relegation          = [[#Division Two|MFA Division Two]]
| teams                =
| levels              = 6
| domest_cup          =
| league_cup          = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup          =
| champions            =
| season              =
| most_successful_club =
| tv                  =
| website              =
| current_season      =  
}}
 
# All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
# The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
Line 61: Line 682:
# The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division Two.
# The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division Two.


=== Division Two ===
== Division Two ==
'''Format'''
{{Infobox football league
| name                = MFA Division Two  
| logo                =
| pixels              =
| organiser            = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion            =[[File:Green Arrow Up.svg|10px]] [[#Division One|MFA Division One]]
| relegation          = [[#Division Three|MFA Division Three]]
| teams                =
| levels              = 7
| domest_cup          =
| league_cup          = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup          =
| champions            =
| season              =
| most_successful_club =  
| tv                  =  
| website              =  
| current_season      =
}}
 
# All the teams in the division will be divided into six or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# All the teams in the division will be divided into six or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
# The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
Line 69: Line 709:
# All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division One
# All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division One


=== Division Three ===
== Division Three ==
'''Format'''
{{Infobox football league
| name                = MFA Division Three
| logo                =
| pixels              =
| organiser            = [[Mumbai Football Association]] (MFA)
| promotion            = [[#Division Two|MFA Division Two]]
| relegation          =
| teams                =
| levels              = 8
| domest_cup          =
| league_cup          = [[Nadkarni Cup]]
| confed_cup          =  
| champions            =  
| season              =
| most_successful_club =
| tv                  =
| website              =
| current_season      =
}}
 
# All the teams in the division will be divided into eight or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# All the teams in the division will be divided into eight or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
# The top two/three teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
# The top two/three teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
# The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
# The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
# The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Three final.
# The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Three final.
==See also==
*[[Madhya Pradesh Premier League]]
*[[Goa Professional League]]
*[[Bangalore Super Division]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://footballmfa.com/ MFA Official Website]


{{Football in India}}
{{Football in India}}
{{Football in Maharashtra}}
{{Sports leagues of India}}
{{Sports leagues of India}}


[[Category:Football leagues in India|5]]
[[Category:Football leagues in India|5]]
[[Category:Football in Mumbai|League]]
[[Category:Football in Mumbai|League]]
[[Category:Sport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Football in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Sport in India]]
[[Category:1902 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1902]]

Latest revision as of 10:45, 19 June 2022

This article is about the men's football league. For the women's football league, see WIFA Women's Football League.

Mumbai Football League
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
Founded1902; 124 years ago (1902)
(as Harwood League)[1]
CountryIndia
Divisions5
(Elite Division
Super Division
Division One
Division Two
Division Three)
Number of teams300+
Level on pyramid4–8
Promotion toI-League 2nd Division
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
Current championsAmbernath United Atlanta (1st title)
Most championshipsTata Sports Club
Mahindra United FC
(13 titles each)
Current: 2021–22 Elite Division

The Mumbai Football League, also known as the Harwood League,[1] is organised by Mumbai Football Association (MFA) as a ladder-based competition involving a total of five divisions and over 300 teams.[2][3] It is the top football league in Mumbai and the second oldest football league in Asia after Calcutta Football League.[4]

League structure[edit | edit source]

MFA Mumbai Football League
Tier Division
1
(4 on Indian Football Pyramid) 		Premiere League (MFA Elite Division)
↑promote (to I-league-2) ↓relegate
2
(5 on Indian Football Pyramid) 		MFA Super Division
↑promote ↓relegate
3
(6 on Indian Football Pyramid) 		MFA Division One
↑promote ↓relegate
4
(7 on Indian Football Pyramid) 		MFA Division Two
↑promote ↓relegate
5
(8 on Indian Football Pyramid) 		MFA Division Three
↑promote

Elite Division[edit | edit source]

The MFA Elite Division, formerly known as the MDFA Elite Division, is the first tier of the Mumbai Football League competition.[5][6] On March 2022, the MFA Elite Division was rechristened as the Harwood Premier League, on the lines of the name that was once associated with the Mumbai’s top division football stretching back to 1902.[7][8]

MFA Elite League
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
Founded1902; 124 years ago (1902)[1]
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid4
Promotion toI-League 2nd Division
Relegation toMFA Super Division
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
Most championshipsTata Sports Club
Mahindra United FC
(13 titles each)
Current: 2021–22

Format[edit | edit source]

The teams play each other in two groups, one for private clubs and other for institutional clubs, in a round-robin single leg format. The top two teams at the end of the league will be declared winners and runners up. The teams finishing in the bottom at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division.

Winners by year[edit | edit source]

Year Winner Note
1902 United Kingdom Oxfordshire Light Infantry
1903 United Kingdom Royal Garrison Artillery
1904 United Kingdom Cheshire Regiment
1905 United Kingdom Yorkshire Regiment
1906 United Kingdom Royal Scots
1907 United Kingdom Royal Scots
1908 United Kingdom Royal Scots
1909 United Kingdom Gloucestershire Regiment
1910 United Kingdom Royal Garrison Artillery
1911 United Kingdom Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1912 British Raj Royal Army Temperance Association
1913 United Kingdom Sherwood Foresters
1914 United Kingdom Sherwood Foresters
1915 United Kingdom Royal Garrison Artillery
1916–1920 None Not held
1921 United Kingdom King's Shropshire Light Infantry
1922 United Kingdom King's Shropshire Light Infantry
1923 United Kingdom Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
1924 United Kingdom West Yorkshire Regiment
1925 United Kingdom West Yorkshire Regiment
1926 United Kingdom South Staffordshire Regiment
1927 United Kingdom Cheshire Regiment
1928 United Kingdom Royal Ulster Rifles
1929 United Kingdom Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1930 United Kingdom Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1931 United Kingdom Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1932 United Kingdom King's Own Scottish Borderers
1933 United Kingdom Royal Irish Fusiliers
1934 British Raj Royal Artillery (Colaba)
1935 United Kingdom Durham Light Infantry
1936 United Kingdom Durham Light Infantry
1937 United Kingdom Cheshire Regiment
1938 United Kingdom Cheshire Regiment
1939 United Kingdom South Lancashire Regiment
1940 United Kingdom Welch Regiment
1941 British Raj Y.M.C.A.
1942 British Raj Western India Automobile Association Staff First native club to win the league.
1943 British Raj Western India Automobile Association Staff
1944 British Raj Embarkation Headquarters
1945 British Raj Tata Sports Club
1946 British Raj Trades India Sports Club
1947 Trades India Sports Club
1948 Tata Sports Club
1949 Trades India Sports Club
1950 Tata Sports Club
1951 India Culture League
1952 India Culture League
1953 Tata Sports Club
1954 Indian Navy
1955 None Abandonded
1956 Burmah-Shell Sports Club
1957 Indian Navy
1958 Tata Sports Club
1959 Western Railway SC
1960 Tata Sports Club
1961 Tata Sports Club
1962 Western Railway SC
1963 Central Railway SC
1964 Tata Sports Club
1965 Central Railway SC
1966 Tata Sports Club
1967 Tata Sports Club
1968 Mafatlal Group
1969 Mafatlal Group
1970 Mahindra & Mahindra
1971 Mafatlal Group
1972 Mafatlal Group
1973 Tata Sports Club
1974–75 Tata Sports Club
1975–76 Mafatlal Group
1976 Mafatlal Group
1977 Orkay Mills
1978–79 Mafatlal Group
1979 Tata Sports Club
1980 Orkay Mills
1981 Century Rayon FC
1982 Mahindra & Mahindra
1983 Mafatlal Mills
1984 Mahindra & Mahindra
1985 Mahindra & Mahindra
1986 Bank of India (Mumbai)
1987 Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF)
1988 Orkay Mills
1989 Union Bank of India
Two separate leagues ran in competition to each other. The BDFA league retained the right to use the name "Harwood League", while the best teams eventually migrated to the WIFA league.
1990–99 WIFA League, Super Division BDFA/MDFA League (The Harwood League)
1990 Bank of India (Mumbai) Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF)
1991 Central Bank United Boys (Sahar)
1992 Air India FC Central Railway SC
1993 Bank of India (Mumbai) ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Commission)
1994 Air India FC Carmelites SC
1995 Mahindra & Mahindra Central Railway SC
1996 Air India FC Royal Caterers
1997 Air India FC Abandoned
1998 Bengal Mumbai FC Village Amboli
1999 Air India FC unknown (Holy Family/Chembur English/Rhino)
In 2000, the two leagues merged when MDFA and WIFA resolved their various disputes. The resultant league has since been run by the MDFA (affiliated to WIFA), with the restored title of The Harwood League.
Mumbai Football League Elite Division (The Harwood League)
2000 Mahindra United FC
2001–02 Mahindra United FC
2002 Mahindra United FC
2003 Mahindra United FC
2004 Mahindra United FC
2005 Maharashtra State Police
2006–07 Mahindra United FC
2007–08 Mahindra United FC
2008–09 Mahindra United FC
2009–10 Air India FC
2010–11 Mumbai FC
2011–12 ONGC FC
2012–13 None Not held
2013–14 Air India FC
2014–15 Air India FC
2015–16 ONGC FC
2016–17 Air India FC
2017–18 ONGC FC
2018–19 Mumbai Customs
2019–20 Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) [9]
2020–21 None Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in India
Harwood Premiere League
2021–22 Ambernath United Atlanta FC
Source: Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions

Super Division[edit | edit source]

The MFA Super Division,[10] also formerly known as MDFA Super Division, is a men's football league in Mumbai. The league serves as the second-tier, organized by the Mumbai District Football Association. The champions of the Super Division get promoted to the MFA Elite Division. The last place teams in the groups gets relegated to the First Division. It is contested by 33 clubs. The current champions are Reliance Foundation Youth Champs and Atlanta FC are runners up.[11] The Super Division is the second highest division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.

MFA Super Division
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
CountryIndia
Number of teams33
Level on pyramid5
Promotion toMFA Elite Division
Relegation toMFA Division One
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
Current championsReliance Foundation Youth Champs
(2019–20)
Current: 2021–22 MFA Super Division

Format[edit | edit source]

All the teams in the division are divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs. The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round. The top two teams at the end of the league will be promoted to the Elite Division.

All-time participants[edit | edit source]

Teams
Spartans Football Academy
SAFC Rangers
Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana
ICL Payyade
Central Railway (MD)
Chedda Nagar Prodigies
Desperados S.C.
ESIC
Tarun Sporting Club
Income Tax
Juhu Sparks
Teleperformance
Kenkre FC U19
Fr. Agnel Gymkhana
Iron Born F.C.
Mumbai Port Trust
Mumbai Warriors
Reserve Bank Of India
Sunday Boys F.C.
Scorost United
Veniza Virar F.C.
Soccer XI
Springfields F.C.
Reliance Foundation Young Champs
Mumbai Ultras F.C.
State Bank Of India
West Zone United

Division One[edit | edit source]

MFA Division One
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
Level on pyramid6
Promotion toMFA Super Division
Relegation toMFA Division Two
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
  1. All the teams in the division will be divided into four or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
  2. The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
  3. The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
  4. The team standing first and second after the completion of the round-robin playoff league shall be declared the winner and runner-up and will be promoted to the Super Division.
  5. The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division Two.

Division Two[edit | edit source]

MFA Division Two
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
Level on pyramid7
Promotion to MFA Division One
Relegation toMFA Division Three
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
  1. All the teams in the division will be divided into six or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
  2. The top two teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
  3. The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
  4. The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Two final.
  5. All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division One

Division Three[edit | edit source]

MFA Division Three
Organising bodyMumbai Football Association (MFA)
Level on pyramid8
Promotion toMFA Division Two
League cup(s)Nadkarni Cup
  1. All the teams in the division will be divided into eight or more groups and shall play a preliminary phase of round-robin games.
  2. The top two/three teams from each group will advance to the post-season playoffs.
  3. The points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
  4. The post season playoffs will include a league phase followed by a single-leg knock out format to decide who will contest the Division Three final.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "History: The Harwood League". wifa.in. Western India Football Association. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  3. ↑ Neil Morrison. "India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "History". WIFA. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  5. ↑ History: The Harwood League. wifa.in. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Yadav, Siddharth (7 December 2016). "MFA Elite Division 2016–17: The Big Preview". Football Counter. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  7. ↑ Shetty, Chittu (22 March 2022). "MFA planning to rechristen Elite Division as Harwood Premiere League". Football Counter.
  8. ↑ Bose, Liven (29 March 2022). "MFA announce first set of fixtures for MFA Elite League". IFTWC.
  9. ↑ "MDFA distribute trophies for Season 2019-20". Footballcounter. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "MFA announce teams for Super Division". Football Counter. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  11. ↑ Shetty, Chittu (4 November 2021). "MFA announce teams for Super Division". Football Counter. Retrieved 24 December 2021.

External links[edit | edit source]

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