Rahmatganj MFS explained

Clubname:Rahmatganj MFS
Fullname:Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society
Capacity:10,000
Chairman:Haji Mohammad Salim
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Kamal Babu
League:Bangladesh Premier League
Season:2023–24
Position:BPL, 9th of 10
Pattern B1:_goldhalf2
Leftarm1:3b7543
Body1:3b7543
Rightarm1:f2cd07
Shorts1:f2cd07
Socks1:f2cd07
Pattern La2:_greenborder
Pattern Ra2:_greenborder
Leftarm2:f2cd07
Body2:f2cd07
Rightarm2:f2cd07
Shorts2:f2cd07
Socks2:f2cd07
Current:2024–25 Rahmatganj MFS season

Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society (Bengali : রহমতগঞ্জ মুসলিম ফ্রেন্ডস সোসাইটি) is a Bangladeshi professional football club[1] [2] based in Old Dhaka. Founded in 1933, the club is currently competing in the Bangladesh Premier League. It was also a team of Bangladesh Championship League,[3] until gaining promotion in the 2014 season. Haji Md. Salim MP is the current president and Imteaz Hamid Sabuj is the general secretary.

History

Early years (1933–1965)

Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society was founded in January 1933 in Old Dhaka, during the British regime. The club's founder, Abul Kashem Shaheb, was a resident of the Rahmatganj area in Old Dhaka. The other founding members were Alauddin, Md. Azam, Ahmad Hossain, Md. Sadek, and Abu Saeed from Imamganj. Abdus Sobhan and Md. Kashem served as the club's first president and general secretary, respectively. Originally, the club operated as a social service institution, but gradually it became involved in sports. As a result, the club began participating in various football tournaments held in Dhaka, forming a team with the area's youth.[4]

In 1950, Md. Kashem, held a meeting with the general Secretary of Dhaka District Sports Association at the time, Khawaja Ajmal Saheb, and arranged the fee required to enter the Second Division. The club remained active in the league throughout the decade, nonetheless, were eventually relegated as they were unable to form a stable team. In 1963, under preseident Md. Aref Mia Sardar and general secretary M.A. Awal, the club became champions of the Third Division.[4]

In 1964, the club formed a team with the help of Jahangir Faiz Saheb from Dhaka Hall, which included university students M.M. Sharif, Ramzan Ali, Montu Abzan Khan, Abdul Aziz, and captain Baharuddin. The team went on to become Second Division champions, securing its promotion to the First Division.[5] [6]

The First Division era (1965–1993)

In 1965, the club entered the First Division under the captaincy of QM Rafique Dipu.[4] On May 17, they began their top-tier journey with a 0–7 defeat to defending champions Victoria SC. The club finished their inaugural season in the First Division in tenth place. They consistently finished in fifth place for three consecutive seasons, from 1966 to 1968. Notable players who played for the club during this time included Sultan Ahmed, Mohammed Kaikobad, Golam Sarwar Tipu, Manjur Murshid Gauss, Shajahan Alam, and Scooter Gafoor, among others. The club first participated in the Aga Khan Gold Cup in 1966 under the captaincy of Shajahan Alam. During the tournament, the club defeated the West Pakistan Government Press but suffered a defeat to Ceylon, which ultimately prevented them from reaching the Round-robin league of the tournament. The club finished in fourth and fifth places in 1969 and 1970, respectively.[6]

Following the Independence of Bangladesh, the club was coached by Noor Hossain, a physical education teacher at Jagannath College.[4] In 1973, Rahmatganj participated in the Bordoloi Trophy held in Guwahati, India.[6] The team included club captain Sultan Ahmed and several guest players from different local clubs, such as Nowsheruzzaman, Sharifuzzaman, Enayetur Rahman and Zakaria Pintoo. The club finished in third-place in the 1973 season, the first completed season since the country's liberation. In 1977, the club enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in its history, finishing as runners-up behind Dhaka Abahani in both the league and the Liberation Cup. In the first leg of the league's title-deciding game, Rahmatganj earned a 0–0 draw with Abahani. However, in the return game held on 22 September, the club, down to ten men after Salahuddin Kala[7] was sent off, suffered a 1–3 defeat, despite Hassan Ahmedul Haque giving them the lead.[8] [9]

In 1978, Wazed Gazi took over the club's head coach duties from Noor Hossain and served until 1983.[10] During this time, the club finished third in the league in both 1982 and 1984, the latter under coach Abdur Rahim. Rahim remained at the post until 1986, after which the club would enjoy regular mid-table finishes.[11] In 1992, they finished fifth in the league, which qualified them, along with that season's top ten teams, to become founding members of the newly introduced top-tier league the following year, the Premier Division.[12]

Yo-yo years (1993–2007)

Relegation to the First Division came after the club finished ninth with thirteen points from eighteen games during the inaugural edition of the Premier Division in 1993.[13] This marked the end of Rahmatganj's 28-year stay in the top flight. In 1994, under the captaincy of Mohammed Aman, the club became First Division champions and returned to the top-flight on their first attempt.[14]

In 2001, with the help of star-striker Saifur Rahman Moni, Rahmatganj finished the league season in third-place, six points off the eventual champions, Dhaka Abahani. Moni departed for Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in 2002, and the club suffered relegation the same year, finishing second from bottom with fourteen points from thirteen league games. In 2004, while remaining a First Division team, the club reached the quarter-finals of the Federation Cup, where they were defeated 1–2 by Muktijoddha.[15]

Eventually, the would gain promotion back to the top-division in 2005 as champions of the First Division with thirty three points from fourteen league games.[16] Their only defeat that season came at the hand of BRTC Sports Club, losing 1–2 at the BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium on 11 July.[17]

Initially, with the introduction of the country's first professional football league, the Bangladesh Premier League (introduced as B.League), in 2007, the club was set to participate in the Senior Division, a merger of the Premier and First Divisions, serving as the second-tier.[18] However, following the withdrawal of Faridpur FA from the new top tier, Rahmatganj was given a place in the professional league as champions of the 2004–05 First Division.[19]

Professional league era (2007–present)

The club participated in the inaugural professional league season season under coach Abdul Motaleb and was led by captain Shoyeb Hossain Sony.[5] On March 3, 2007, they began their league journey with a 0–2 defeat to Khulna Abahani, in a match where Khulna's Prashanta Dey made history by scoring the league's first-ever goal.[20] On March 28, Hanif Pradhan scored the club's first league goal during a 1–4 defeat to Muktijoddha Sangsad KC.[21] The club finally won a league game on matchday twelve, defeating Arambagh KS 2–1 in a game held on June 2. The club eventually finished at the bottom of the league with thirteen points from twenty games. However, they remained in the top flight as the league introduced a relegation system starting from the 2009–10 season.[22]

Eventually, Rahmatganj would be relegated from the league in the 2012 season finishing botton of the table with only nine points from twenty games.[14] The club would also be investigated by the Bangladesh Football Federation due to match-fixing allegations, nonetheless, the Federation failed to find any incriminating evidence against them.[23] [24] Rahmatganj would enter the country's second-tier professional league, the Bangladesh Championship League in 2013. The club would miss out on promotion after finishing third, six points off of second-place Uttar Baridhara.[25] The club would eventually return to the Premier League as champions in 2014.[26]

Rahmatganj would finish runners-up in the Federation Cup in both the 2019–20 and 2021–22 editions.[27] [28]

Ground

The club ground, located at Chowk Bazaar, is often used as a cattle market during Eid al-Adha. The market has been operated by the club every year since 1967, helping the club generate enough profit to participate in the professional league.[29] [30]

Shirt sponsors

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
2007–2008Sattar Textiles[31]
2014–2022Tiger Cement[32]
2022–presentNone

Players

Current squad

Current technical staff

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head Coach Kamal Babu
Team Manager Haji Shafi Mahmud
Assistant Coach Sheikh Zahidur Raman Milon
Team Leader Imteaz Hamid Shobuj
Assistant Manager Md Jamal Uddin
Goalkeeping Coach Humayun Kabir
Equipment Manager Mohammad Ali
Media Officer Md Iqbal Uddin
Security Officer Md Mahmud Chand Raju
Physiotherapist Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Board of directors

PositionName
President Haji Mohammad Salim
General secretary Imteaz Hamid Sabuj

Team records

Managerial record

Head CoachFromToPWDLGSGA%/W
Syed Golam Jilani 10 February 20172 August 2022
Kamal Babu1 October 202215 November 2023
Humayun Kabir ‡2 December 202330 December 2023
Sheikh Zahidur Raman Milon2 January 2024[33] 22 March 2024
Erol Akbay22 March 2024[34] 5 May 2024
Kamal Babu10 May 2024Present

Season by season record

Record as Professional Football League member
SeasonDivisionLeagueFederation CupIndependence CupTop league scorer(s)
PlayerGoals
2007BPL20 341315481311th Ashraful Awal Apu
Nche Francis
3
2008–09BPL20 63112432217thGroup-stages Idris Kasirye13
2009–10BPL24 75122836268thQuarter-finals Idris Kasirye9
2010–11BPL22 73122948248thGroup-stages Group-stages Idris Kasirye13
2012BPL20 23151346911thQuarter-finals Idris Kasirye6
2012–13BCL14 4731613193rdGroup-stagesQual. round 2 Nurul Afsar6
2013–14BCL18 135036844ChampionsGroup-stagesGroup-stages Nurul Absar11
2014–15BPL20 351221391410thGroup-stages Gideon Solomon7
2016BPL22 7693734277thQuarter-finalsGroup-stages Siyo Zunapio12
2017–18BPL22 391019301810thSemi-finalsSemi-finals Ismael Bangoura4
2018–19BPL24 4101034532210thGroup-stagesQuarter-finals Siyo Zunapio13
2019–20BPLAbandonedRunners-up Momodou Bah
Akobir Turaev
2
2020–21BPL24 67112331258thGroup-stages Christ Remi8
2021–22BPL22 461233461810thRunners-upGroup-stages Sunday Chizoba12
2022–23BPL20 4791531199thQuarter-finalsGroup-stages4
2023–24BPL18 21061926169thQuarter-finalsSemi-finals Ernest Boateng9

AFC club ranking

[35]

Ranking Team Points
429 Indian Arrows 35.0
430 Al-Orobah FC35.0
431 Rahmatganj MFS35.0
432 Druk Lhayul FC34.0
433 Al-Mussanah Club34.0

Honours

League

Cup

Notable players

Asia

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rahmatganj MFS. BFF. en-US. 2019-12-31. 2019-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20190908124851/http://www.bff.com.bd/joomsport_team/rahmatganj-mfs/. live.
  2. Web site: Rahmatgonj Muslim Friends Society. int.soccerway.com. 2019-12-31. 2019-06-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20190626073921/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/bangladesh/rahmatgonj-mfs/8269/. live.
  3. Web site: BFF. BFF. en-US. 2019-12-31. 2014-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20140606152438/http://bff.com.bd/bff/. dead.
  4. Web site: Iqbal. Kabir. বাংলাদেশের ফুটবলে ভুলে যাওয়া নাম সত্তুর দশকের শার্প শ্যুটার সুলতান. bn. 10 August 2024. July 3, 2022. Ctgsangbad. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809190752/https://ctgsangbad24.com/sports/1609/. live.
  5. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 948. archive.thedailystar.net. 29 January 2007. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809190736/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/01/29/d70129040330.htm. live.
  6. Book: Dulal, Mahmud . bn:খেলার মাঠে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ . Bishhoshahitto Bhobon . 2020 . bn . 978-984-8218-31-0.
  7. Web site: Football loses two stars. February 6, 2014. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://archive.today/20240809191216/https://www.thedailystar.net/football-loses-two-stars-10140. live.
  8. Web site: বিদেশের বিরুদ্ধে বাংলাদেশের প্রথম ফুটবল জয়ের নায়ক স্ট্রাইকার হাসান এখন যেমন আছেন. Iqbal. Kabir. bn. 25 September 2022. Ctgsangbad. 2 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240102090054/https://ctgsangbad24.com/career/6461/. live.
  9. Web site: মনে পড়ে দেশের মাটিতে প্রথম জয়ের নায়ক তারকা ফুটবলার সুদর্শন স্ট্রাইকার হাসানের কথা. bn. Kiron's Sport Desk. 2 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240102090331/https://kironsportsdesk.com/2020/07/01/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%9C%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5/. live.
  10. Web site: Star-tracker no more. Anisur. Rahman. September 14, 2018. June 18, 2024. The Daily Star. June 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240619070347/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/former-arambag-coach-wazed-gazi-passes-away-1633273. live.
  11. Book: Dulal, Mahmud . bn:পাকিস্তান জাতীয় দল বাঙালি খেলোয়াড় . Bishhoshahitto Bhobon . 2014 . bn.
  12. Web site: Bangladesh 1992. RSSSF. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191138/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bang92.html. live.
  13. Web site: Bangladesh 1993. RSSSF. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192026/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bang93.html. live.
  14. Web site: Rahmatganj relegated. June 20, 2012. 10 August 2024. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191658/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-239039. live.
  15. Web site: Bangladesh 2004. RSSSF. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191731/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bang04.html. live.
  16. Web site: Rahmatganj become first team to promote to premier league. Bdnews24. 9 July 2005. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191624/https://bdnews24.com/sport/rahmatganj-become-first-team-to-promote-to-premier-league. live.
  17. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 400. 10 August 2024. 12 July 2005. archive.thedailystar.net. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191939/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/07/12/d50712040740.htm. live.
  18. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 713. 10 August 2024. 31 May 2006. archive.thedailystar.net. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191838/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/05/31/d60531041137.htm. live.
  19. Web site: Bangladesh 2007. RSSSF. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809191836/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bang07.html#nat. live.
  20. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 981. 10 August 2024. 4 March 2007. archive.thedailystar.net. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192533/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/2006/2007/03/04/d70304040129.htm. live.
  21. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 1004. archive.thedailystar.net. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192454/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/03/28/d70328040340.htm. live.
  22. Web site: The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 1120. archive.thedailystar.net. 25 July 2007. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192509/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/2007/07/25/d70725040334.htm. live.
  23. Web site: Match-fixing committee sits. May 12, 2012. 10 August 2024. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192505/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-233776. live.
  24. Web site: BFF finds 'em not guilty. August 8, 2012. 10 August 2024. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192745/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-245235. live.
  25. Web site: Ctg Abahani, Baridhara through. 10 August 2024. June 8, 2013. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192753/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/ctg-abahani-baridhara-through. live.
  26. Web site: Rahmatganj secure title. May 21, 2014. 10 August 2024. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192758/https://www.thedailystar.net/rahmatganj-secure-title-24953. live.
  27. Web site: Kings clinch maiden Federation Cup title. Dhaka Tribune. 5 January 2020. 10 August 2024. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809193034/https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/197987/kings-clinch-maiden-federation-cup-title. live.
  28. Web site: ফের চ্যাম্পিয়ন আবাহনী, রহমতগঞ্জের আরও এক দুঃখ. January 9, 2022. 10 August 2024. Dhaka Post. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809193157/https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/89831. live.
  29. Web site: গরুর হাটের আয়ে চলে যে ক্লাব. June 15, 2024. 10 August 2024. Prothom Alo. bn. 10 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240810120355/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/u1i7shqzrp. live.
  30. Web site: গরুর হাটের আয়ে চলে যে ক্লাব. September 11, 2017. 10 August 2024. Prothom Alo. bn. 10 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240810120357/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC. live.
  31. Web site: Sattar Textiles sticks with tradition. December 21, 2008. 10 August 2024. The Daily Star. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192215/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-68023. live.
  32. Web site: Tiger cement boost for Rahmatganj. 2014-04-17. Dhaka Tribune. 2019-12-31. 2019-12-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20191231140322/https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/04/17/tiger-cement-boost-for-rahmatganj. live.
  33. News: দুই ক্লাবকে সাফল্য এনে দেওয়া মিলন এখন রহমতগঞ্জে. 2 January 2024. bn. www.banglatribune.com. 2 January 2024. 2 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240102100723/https://www.banglatribune.com/sport/football/830675/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%C2%A0. live.
  34. Web site: 2024-03-22 . রহমতগঞ্জের ফের কোচ পরিবর্তন; আসছেন বিদেশী কোচ . 2024-03-26 . Offsidebangladesh . bn.
  35. News: AFC club rankings. footballalphabet.com. 27 June 2023. 16 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230716082018/https://footballalphabet.com/rankings/afc/7. live.
  36. Web site: ফুটবলের জন্যই এক জীবনে এত সম্মান. bn. October 17, 2014. Kalerkantho. December 8, 2022. December 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208175303/https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/kaler-khela/2014/10/17/140220. live.
  37. Web site: আমি ফুটবল রাজনীতির শিকার. dhakapost.com. 2022-10-07. 2022-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20221007112817/https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/football/20503. live.
  38. Web site: Upendra Man Singh (Player). Strack-Zimmermann. Benjamin. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019184413/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/4615/Upendra_Man_Singh.html. 19 October 2021. national-football-teams.com. 12 December 2021. live.
  39. Web site: Wins for Mohammedan, Ctg Abahani. August 15, 2021. The Daily Star. August 10, 2024. August 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240810122016/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/wins-mohammedan-ctg-abahani-2152206. live.
  40. Web site: Fathullo Fathulloev Pereezzhaet V Bangladesh/ . sports.tj . Spots TJ . 16 November 2022 . Russian . 13 November 2022.