East Bengal’s centenary year has not gone to plan. Since the celebration marking the start of their 100th anniversary kickstarted in July, ...

East Bengal’s centenary year has not gone to plan. Since the celebration marking the start of their 100th anniversary kickstarted in July, the club has had few reasons to rejoice.
The Red and Golds were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup, finished second in the I-League behind arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, who also secured their passage to the Indian Super League (now the top division of Indian football) through a historic merger with ATK.
Also Read: Potential precedent or historic mistake? What Mohun Bagan-ATK merger could hold for Indian football
East Bengal couldn’t even get their hands on the Calcutta Football League, a matter of great prestige in the city, seeing underdogs Peerless SC triumph. Last month, investors Quess Corporation also ended their contract with the club, thus leaving them without any financial partner when a move to the ISL looks like the need of the hour.
Falling behind times
The club seems to be on course to find a new financer and have made a few notable signings preparing itself for the big leap, but the uncertainty over the move remains. The Covid-19 pandemic has also not helped their cause.
“The recent results are not good but the truth is that the club has been falling behind for a few years now. It has not...