THE CALCUTTA FOOTBALL LEAGUE (Premier Division A) is about to kick off its 119th season in a week with the first 3 matchdays featuring heavyweight clubs.
The long-running local league will have its inaugural matchday on 10th August, featuring defending champions East Bengal. On 11th August, Mohammedan Sporting will play their first match. And on the 12th I-League runners up Mohun Bagan will begin their season.
This season of the CFL is significant due to East Bengal, who have won the last 7 seasons of the league, being one champioship away from an all-time record.
The CFL, which consists of 7 tiers (Premier Division A, Premier Division B, divisions First to Fifth) saw a total of 157 clubs last season, and the number has gone up this season. The top flight will have 8 clubs, with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan both recruiting aggressively to mount a title challenge. But they are likely to face some tough competition from the likes of Mohammedan Sporting, Southern Samity and Peerless who have a number of former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan players in their rosters.