Gokulam Kerala Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kozhikode, Kerala. Founded in 2017, the club competes in the Indian Football League, the second tier of the Indian football league system. They won the 2020–21 I-League title to become the first club from Kerala to do so, and became the first team to defend the league title in 2021–22. Gokulam is also the first club from the state to qualify for a continental competition, the AFC Cup, in 2022.
Nicknamed Malabarians, Gokulam Kerala represents the state of Kerala, predominantly its Malabar region. Affiliated with the Kerala Football Association (KFA), club's reserve team competes in the Kerala Premier League. They also won the 129th edition of the Durand Cup, becoming the second side from Kerala to win that competition. The women's section of the club participates in the Indian Women's League.
History Formation and early years (2017–2020) Gokulam Kerala was founded in January 2017 at Malappuram. The club then went on to participate in Awes Cup in Goa, in which they finished the campaign as runners-up. On 20 September, after the second round of bidding invitations, the bid evaluation committee decided to award Sree Gokulam Group the right to field their team in the Hero I-League 2017–18 season onwards from Calicut, Kerala. Although the club did not have a good beginning, they went on to defeat clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Minerva Punjab by the end of the season. Gokulam Kerala hired Spaniard Fernando Santiago Varela as head coach in March 2018.
On 15 March 2018, Gokulam played the Super Cup qualifiers against North East United FC and was qualified with a 2-goal victory. In the pre-quarterfinals of the Super Cup on 1 April 2018, they were leading against Bengaluru by 0–1 until 60 minutes with a goal scored by the striker Henry Kisekka but Bengaluru scored a stoppage time goal which led to a defeat of 2–1. Gokulam in 2019, for the first time went abroad and participated at the 2019 Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup in Bangladesh, where they qualified for the Semi-finals after finishing 2nd in Group B. Gokulam finished as semifinalist after losing 3–2 to Chittagong Abahani. Gokulam Kerala won their maiden title under the coaching of Fernando Santiago Varela, the 129th edition of the Durand Cup on 24 August 2019, defeating Mohun Bagan 2–1 in Kolkata.The Durand Cup 2019 Final: Gokulam Kerala clinches title defeating Mohun Bagan AC . sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2020–present Gokulam Kerala won the 2020–21 I-League by defeating TRAU FC in the final game. With 29 points from 15 games, they qualified for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage. In April 2021, Gokulam Kerala emerged as the champions of the 2020–21 Kerala Premier League, defeating KSEB FC 2–1 at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium. They began their 2021–22 I-League season on 26 December with 1–0 win against Churchill Brothers. They later thrashed Real Kashmir by 5–1. After back to back wins in both the group and championship stages, the club clinched I-League title again in 2021–22 season, defeating Mohammedan Sporting 2–1 in the final game at the Salt Lake Stadium on 14 May, and became the first club in fifteen years to defend a national league title.
At the 2022 AFC Cup group-stage opener, the club achieved a historic 4–2 win against Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan. Later, they were defeated 1–0 by Maldivian side Maziya S&RC, 1–2 by Bangladeshi side Bashundhara Kings respectively, and knocked out of the tournament. On 5 July, the club officially announced that they roped in former Cameroonian international Richard Towa as new head coach. Due to not maintaining good form in league marches, the club parted ways with Towa and roped in Spanish manager Francesc Bonet in place of him.
In April 2023, the club took part in 3rd edition of Indian Super Cup. In the 2023–24 I-League season, the club's Spanish striker Álex Sánchez emerged as the top goalscorer with 19 goals. On 18 April, the club roped in Antonio Rueda Fernández as new head coach. In November 2024, the club took part in the 2024 edition of Sikkim Gold Cup, in which they defeated Bhutanese side Transport United by 2–1 in the quarter-finals.The club was featured in the 40th edition of the Sikkim Gold Cup. In the 2024–25 season, Gokulam Kerala falter at final hurdle against Dempo (a 3–4 defeat) to win the I-League title on the final day, thus failed to secure promotion to the Indian Super League.
Stadiums
EMS Stadium, located in the heart of Calicut, is used as home ground of Gokulam Kerala. West stand is the largest block that can accommodate most spectators, while the capacity of the stadium is limited to 50,000.
The club also used Kottappadi Stadium in Malappuram for training purposes. Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium previously served as club's home venue for matches of Kerala Premier League. In May 2023, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation decided not to renew the contract for matches at the EMS Stadium.
Supporters Kerala is a state known for its football fans. Football in Northern Kerala (known as Malabar Coastal Region) has been described as having one of the most passionate fanbase in the state. GKFC Battalia is one of the supporters' group of Gokulam Kerala FC. Another noted supporters' group of the club named GKFC Ultras is also in existence.
Rivalry
Rivalry with Kolkata clubs
Gokulam Kerala is known for pathbreaking the Kolkata clubs, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan in some major matches in I-League and Durand Cup.Durand Cup final: Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala live update sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. Retrieved 5 July 2021. Gokulam Kerala won the 2019 Durand Cup by defeating East Bengal in the semi-final and Mohun Bagan in the final. They also defeated Mohammedan in the deciding last match of 2021–22 I-League to clinch their consecutive league title. Both the states, Kerala and West Bengal, are two dominant powerhouses of Indian Football.
Rivalry with Kerala United Gokulam Kerala enjoys an on-field rivalry with another Kozhikode based side Kerala United (previously Quartz Calicut). The first match between the two teams took place in the group stage of 2017–18 Kerala Premier League, where Quartz Calicut were winners.
After the purchase of Kerala united FC by the owners of Sheffield United, the first match took place in 2020–21 Kerala Premier League semifinal. The match ended goalless and Gokulam won 4–2 on penalties.
Results Date Competition Venue Score Kerala United FC scorers Gokulam Kerala scorers Attendance 19 April 2021 2020–21 Kerala Premier League Maharaja's College Stadium, Ernakulam 0–0 3 June 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League Municipal Corporation Stadium, Thrissur 0–2 Brian Umony, Arjun Jayaraj 10 May 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Stadium, Calicut 0–2 Mohamed Salah, Usman Ashik 25 April 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Stadium, Calicut 3–2 Emmanuel Aidoo Sushanth Mathew, Mama
Rivalry with Kerala Blasters For the first time in history, Gokulam Kerala faced Kerala Blasters in the "Kerala Derby" at group stage of the 132nd edition of Durand Cup on 13 August 2023, in which they defeated the ISL side by 4–3.
Crest, colours & kits Crest
The club crest incorporates elements from historical Theyyam, a famous ritual art form that originated in northern Kerala. It encompasses dance, mime and music. The crest was unveiled in January 2017, by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and football legend I. M. Vijayan.
Kit evolution
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors Period Kit manufacturer Main sponsor Back sponsor Chest sponsor Sleeve sponsor 2017–2018Kaizen SportsGokulam Kerala rope in Kaizen Sports as kit sponsor . Outlook India. Retrieved 9 October 2021.Aachi Group 2018–2019Aqualine PVC Pipes 2019–2020Sree Gokulam GroupCSB BankGokulam Gokulam Madinah 2020–2021SEGA Federal Bank 2021–2023 CSB Bank Sree Gokulam Group Federal Bank Multiple2023–2024Do's2024–2026Vector X 2026– MS Sportswear Bandhan Bank
Players
First-team squad
Gokulam Kerala FC Reserves
Technical staff Current technical staff RoleName Head coach Carlos Eduardo Parreira Assistant coach Micky Fernandes Goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy Strength and conditioning coach Djair Miranda Garcia Team manager Martin Stanislas
Football Club RoleName Chairman Gokulam Gopalan President VC Praveen Technical Director Derrick Pereira Sporting Director Raman Vijayan Chief Scout IT Head Nidhin Raj VM
Notable players
The following Gokulam Kerala players have been capped at full international level. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.
Lelo Mbele (2017) Mahmood Al-Ajmi (2017–2018) Musa Mudde (2017–2018) Francis Ambané (2017–2018)Exclusive: Gokulam Kerala release two foreign players, sign Bahrainian midfielder Khel Now. Retrieved 20 March 2021 Faysal Shayesteh (2017–2018) Jonathan Quartey (2018) Brian Umony (2018) Antonio German (2018–2019) Fabien Vorbe (2018–2019) Henry Kisekka (2018–2020) Andre Ettienne (2018–2020) Marcus Joseph (2018–2020) Nathaniel García (2019–2020) Zohib Islam Amiri (2019–2020) Atuheire Kipson (2020) Saliou Guindo (2020) Mohamed Awal (2020–2021) Sharif Mukhammad (2020–2022) Chisom Chikatara (2021–2022) Aminou Bouba (2021–2024, 2026) Jourdaine Fletcher (2022) David Simbo (2022) Ahmed Waseem Razeek (2022) Farshad Noor (2022–2023) Eldar Moldozhunusov (2023) Komron Tursunov (2023–2024) Lumala Abdu (2024–2025) Adama Niane Thabiso Brown Amid Arezou
Managerial history
Head coach's record
NameNationalityFromToPWDLGFGAWin%Ref.Bino George8 October 201726 February 2019Gift Raikhan26 February 20191 July 2019Fernando Santiago Varela 1 July 201916 June 2020Vincenzo Alberto Annese19 August 20201 June 2022Richard Towa5 July 202222 December 2022Francesc Bonet27 December 202231 May 2023Domingo OramasJune 202331 March 2024Shareef Khan 31 March 202418 April 2024Antonio Rueda Fernández18 April 202415 February 2025Ranjith Thittayil Ajithkumar 15 February 20255 June 2025 José Hevia6 June 202510 January 2026Derrick Pereira 10 January 20267 March 2026Dimitris Dimitriou 6 March 202620 April 2026
Statistics and records
Season statistics
Season Super Cup Durand CupAFC Cup 2017–18 I-League 7 18 6 3 9 17 23 21 Round of 16 – –2018–19I-League 10 20 3 8 9 25 33 17 DNP – DNQ2019–20I-League 5 15 6 4 5 20 19 22 Cancelled Champions DNQ2020–21I-League 1 15 9 2 4 31 17 29 Cancelled Cancelled DNQ2021–22I-League 1 18 13 4 1 44 15 43 Cancelled Quarter-finals Group Stage 2022–23I-League 3 22 12 3 7 26 14 39 Group Stage DNP DNQ2023–24I-League 3 24 12 6 6 55 34 42 Group Stage Quarter-finals DNQ2024–25I-League 4 22 11 4 7 45 29 37 R16 DNP DNQ
Most appearances
Name Period I-League Super Cup Durand Cup IFA Shield Others AFC Cup Appearances Aminou Bouba 2021-2024,202657070805010381 Sreekuttan VS2021–202456070400010371 Rishad PP2021–202651050405000368 Shibinraj Kunniyil2018–2019,2022–2023,2024–50060001010059 Nidhin Krishna2023–46050202000055 Thahir Zaman2021–202343040003010354 Noufal PN2022–202442060400010053 Abhijith Kurungodan2021–202539040504000053 Emil Benny2020–2022,2024–202637020307000352 Muhammed Rashid2017–202235010503040048
Club captains Period Name 2017–2018 Sushanth Mathew 2018–2019 Musa Mudde2019 Daniel Addo2019–2020 Marcus Joseph2020–2021 Mohamed Awal2021–2022 Sharif Mukhammad2022–2023 Aminou Bouba2023–2024 Álex Sánchez2024–2025 Sergio Llamas
Top scorers
Top scorers record#PlayerCareerI-LeagueSuper CupDurand CupIFA ShieldSheikh Kamal CupAFC CupTotal1 Marcus Joseph2019–202014011010262 Álex Sánchez 2023–2024 19 1 0 0 0 0 203 Henry Kisekka2017–2018, 2019–2020931030164 Denny Antwi 2020–2021 11 0 0 4 0 0 155 Luka Majcen 2022 13 0 0 0 0 2 156 Thabiso Brown 2025-2026 13 0 0 0 0 0 137 Jourdaine Fletcher 2022 9 0 0 0 0 1 10
Wins against foreign teams
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