United Sikkim FC

United Sikkim
Full nameUnited Sikkim Football Club
Nickname(s)The Snow Lions
Short nameUSFC
Founded2011; 13 years ago (2011)
Ground
Capacity30,000
OwnerBhaichung Bhutia
Head coachKamal Bagdas
LeagueSikkim Premier Division League

United Sikkim Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Gangtok, Sikkim.[1] Incorporated in 2011,[2][3] the club usually competed in the Sikkim Premier Division League.[4][5] United Sikkim is the only club from Sikkim to have played in the I-League,[6][7][8] which was then the top tier of the Indian football league system.[9][10][11]

Nicknamed the "Snow Lions",[12] United Sikkim uses Paljor Stadium as home ground.[13] It is owned by former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia,[14] and was founded in order to give people of the Indian state of Sikkim a professional football team.[15] In September 2019, Bhaichung Bhutia announced shutting the club down due to some unavoidable circumstances.[16] During an emotional farewell event, Bhaichung Bhutia thanked all the players and support staff besides the fans who supported the club over the years.[17]

The club was revived again in January 2021, with aim to play in the Indian Super League.[18] Manager Arjun Rai said on Monday that besides inaugurating the senior and youth team, emphasis would be laid on bringing footballers from the villages.[19]

  1. ^ "2nd Div I-League: Babatunde guides Royals to second win". The Shillong Times. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  2. ^ Bhutani, Rahul. "Chirag United and United Sikkim: The Two Extremes of Indian Football". The Hard Tackle. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Sikkim Football Association released the fixture for 2018 Sikkim Premier Division League at football house in Gangtok". Goalie365. 16 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Sikkim Premier League kicks off today". sikkimexpress.com. Sikkim Express. 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  5. ^ Gurung, Yuvraj (17 September 2019). "Sikkim Premier Division League 2019: Update". theawayend.co. The Away End. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  6. ^ Mohan, Srinivasan (7 February 2013). "China calling for United Sikkim's Sandesh Jhingan – report". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  7. ^ "United Sikkim vs. Dempo 1 – 2". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014. "Pune vs. United Sikkim 2 – 2". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  8. ^ "I-League In and Outs" Up to January 2013 WINDOW". KolkataFootball. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  9. ^ "United Sikkim vs. Air India 5 - 0". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  10. ^ "United Sikkim 3–2 Salgaocar". Soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Pune FC logged their first win of the season with a 1–0 win over United Sikkim FC in a Group-D Federation Cup encounter". Pune Football Club. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  12. ^ Nakashe, Mrunal (28 January 2013). "Pailan Arrows 1–1 United Sikkim: Tirthankar Sarkar strikes late on to break Sikkim hearts". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  13. ^ Gurung, Yuvraj (17 September 2019). "Sikkim Premier Division League 2019: Update". theawayend.co. The Away End. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Baichung to play farewell match against Bayern Munich". The Times of India. The Times Group. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  15. ^ Sengupta, Rahul (22 March 2011). "India: Dazzling Launch For United Sikkim As Bhaichung Bhutia Shows Indian Football Does Have Investors". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  16. ^ "Indian football: Bhaichung Bhutia decides to shut down United Sikkim FC". Goal.com. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  17. ^ Ongmu, Dichen (24 September 2019). "Emotional farewell to players as United Sikkim FC shuts down". EastMojo.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  18. ^ "United Sikkim revived, Bhaichung Bhutia says aim is to bring ISL into state". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 4 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Indian football: Bhaichung Bhutia-owned United Sikkim FC revived with aim to take part in ISL". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.