Mumbai Football League
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]
 Harwood Premier League (known as MFA Elite Division) logo (Top division of Mumbai Football League) | |
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1902 (as Harwood League)[1] |
| Country | India |
| Divisions | 5 (Elite Division Super Division Division One Division Two Division Three) |
| Number of teams | 300+ |
| Level on pyramid | 5–8 |
| Promotion to | I-League 3 (from Elite Division) |
| Domestic cup(s) | Rovers Cup |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
| Current champions | Ambernath United Atlanta (1st title) |
| Most championships | Tata Sports Club Mahindra United FC (13 titles each) |
| Current: 2022–23 | |
The league was known as Harwood League, named after Colonel Harwood, who founded the Bombay Football Association and became first president.[5]
League structure
| MFA Mumbai Football League | |
|---|---|
| Tier | Division |
| 1 (5 on Indian Football Pyramid) |
MFA Elite Division ↑promote (to 3rd Division League) ↓relegate |
| 2 (6 on Indian Football Pyramid) |
MFA Super Division ↑promote ↓relegate |
| 3 (7 on Indian Football Pyramid) |
MFA Division One ↑promote ↓relegate |
| 4 (8 on Indian Football Pyramid) |
MFA Division Two ↑promote ↓relegate |
| 5 (9 on Indian Football Pyramid) |
MFA Division Three ↑promote |
Elite Division
The MFA Elite Division, formerly known as the MDFA Elite Division, is the first tier of the Mumbai Football League competition.[6][7] In 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.[8][9]
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1902[1] |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | 5 |
| Promotion to | I-League 3 |
| Relegation to | MFA Super Division |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
| Most championships | Tata Sports Club Mahindra United FC (13 titles each) |
| Current: 2022–23 | |
Format
The teams play each other in two groups, MFA Elite Premier League for the private clubs and MFA Elite Corporate League for the institutional clubs, in a round-robin single leg format. The top three teams at the end of the league will be declared winners and runners up and will advance to the championship round called Harwood Champions League whose winner will win the top division. The teams finishing in the bottom at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Super Division.[10]
| MFA Elite Division | ||
|---|---|---|
| Championship round | Harwood Champions League | |
| Group stage | MFA Elite Premier League | MFA Elite Corporate League |
Winners by year
| Year | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1902 |  Oxfordshire Light Infantry |
|
| 1903 | Royal Garrison Artillery |
|
| 1904 | Cheshire Regiment |
|
| 1905 | Yorkshire Regiment |
|
| 1906 | Royal Scots |
|
| 1907 | Royal Scots |
|
| 1908 | Royal Scots |
|
| 1909 | Gloucestershire Regiment |
|
| 1910 | Royal Garrison Artillery |
|
| 1911 | Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
|
| 1912 |  Royal Army Temperance Association |
|
| 1913 | Sherwood Foresters |
|
| 1914 | Sherwood Foresters |
|
| 1915 | Royal Garrison Artillery |
|
| 1916–1920 | None | Not held |
| 1921 | King's Shropshire Light Infantry |
|
| 1922 | King's Shropshire Light Infantry |
|
| 1923 | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
|
| 1924 | West Yorkshire Regiment |
|
| 1925 | West Yorkshire Regiment |
|
| 1926 | South Staffordshire Regiment |
|
| 1927 | Cheshire Regiment |
|
| 1928 | Royal Ulster Rifles |
|
| 1929 | Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
|
| 1930 | Duke of Wellington's Regiment |
|
| 1931 | Duke of Wellington's Regiment |
|
| 1932 | King's Own Scottish Borderers |
|
| 1933 | Royal Irish Fusiliers |
|
| 1934 | Royal Artillery (Colaba) |
|
| 1935 | Durham Light Infantry |
|
| 1936 | Durham Light Infantry |
|
| 1937 | Cheshire Regiment |
|
| 1938 | Cheshire Regiment |
|
| 1939 | South Lancashire Regiment |
|
| 1940 | Welch Regiment |
|
| 1941 | Y.M.C.A. |
|
| 1942 | Western India Automobile Association Staff |
First native club to win the league. |
| 1943 | Western India Automobile Association Staff |
|
| 1944 | Embarkation Headquarters |
|
| 1945 | Tata Sports Club |
|
| 1946 | 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 | Abandoned |
| 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) | [11] |
| 2020–21 | None | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in India |
| 2021–22 | Ambernath United Atlanta FC | [12] |
| 2022–23 | Ambernath United Atlanta FC | [13] |
| Source: Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions | ||
Super Division
The MFA Super Division,[14] formerly known as the 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.[15] The Super Division is the second highest division in MFL organised by Mumbai District Football Association.
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Number of teams | 33 |
| Level on pyramid | 6 |
| Promotion to | MFA Elite Division |
| Relegation to | MFA Division One |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
| Current champions | Reliance Foundation Youth Champs (2019–20) |
| Current: 2021–22 MFA Super Division | |
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. 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
| Teams |
|---|
| Spartans Football Academy |
| SAFC Rangers |
| Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana |
| ICL Payyade |
| Central Railway (MD) |
| Chedda Nagar Prodigies |
| DECA(D'assisi Ex-students Charitable Association) |
| Desperados S.C. |
| ESIC |
| Tarun Sporting Club |
| Income Tax |
| Juhu Sparks |
| Teleperformance |
| Kenkre FC U19 |
| Fr. Agnel Gymkhana |
| Iron Born F.C. |
| Mumbai Marines FC |
| 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
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Level on pyramid | 7 |
| Promotion to | MFA Super Division |
| Relegation to | MFA Division Two |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
| Current champions | Community Football Club India |
- 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 points and goals scored in the preliminary phase will not be carried forward to the next round.
- 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.
- The teams in last place in each group after the completion of the preliminary league will be demoted to the Division Two.
Division Two
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Level on pyramid | 8 |
| Promotion to | MFA Division One |
| Relegation to | MFA Division Three |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
- 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 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 Two final.
- All eight quarter-finalists will be promoted to the Division One
Division Three
| Organising body | Mumbai Football Association (MFA) |
|---|---|
| Level on pyramid | 8 |
| Promotion to | MFA Division Two |
| League cup(s) | Nadkarni Cup |
- 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 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.
References
- "India – List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- "History: The Harwood League". wifa.in. Western India Football Association. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- Neil Morrison. "India - List of Mumbai (Bombay) League Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- "History". WIFA. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- Nirwane, Sarwadnya (18 January 2022). "Rovers Cup — the second oldest Football tournament in India". thesportslite.com. Mumbai: The Sports Lite. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- History: The Harwood League Archived 23 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. wifa.in. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- Yadav, Siddharth (7 December 2016). "MFA Elite Division 2016–17: The Big Preview". Football Counter. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- Shetty, Chittu (22 March 2022). "MFA planning to rechristen Elite Division as Harwood Premiere League". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- Bose, Liven (29 March 2022). "MFA announce first set of fixtures for MFA Elite League". IFTWC. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- "Harwood Champions League". The Away End. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- "MDFA distribute trophies for Season 2019-20". Footballcounter. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- "'Invincible' Ambernath Utd – Atlanta FC lift Harwood Champions League title". Footballcounter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- "Atlanta FC secures back-to-back MFA Elite Premier League titles with win over KSA". Footballcounter. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- "MFA announce teams for Super Division". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- Shetty, Chittu (4 November 2021). "MFA announce teams for Super Division". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
Further reading
- bhutkar, Prasad (10 January 2016). "Spencer's hat-trick for Sea View sinks a helpless Naval Dockyard side". footballcounter.com. Mumbai. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
External links
- Official website of the Mumbai Football Association
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