ISL 2017: Why Jamshedpur FC can become one of India's biggest clubs

Jamshedpur FC recently played their first match in the ISL and the first competitive game in their history. A 0-0 draw against manager Steve Coppell's former side was a solid way to start the campaign.

The club has tremendous potential to grow into a magnificent side. There are a lot of things going on for the side which is taking it's baby steps into the ISL. Manager Steve Coppell has been positive about his side's prospects in the tournament and their performance away from home at Kerala Blasters displays ample proof that Jamshedpur FC are a very solid outfit.

But this list looks at some of the reasons why Jamshedpur FC has in it the potential to succeed beyond this season and transform into a footballing giant in the country. So far the Men of Steel have been quite low-key in their handling of business and operations after making some noise by poaching manager Steve Coppell from the Kerala Blasters.

Now we look at the long term potential for the Men of Steel.

5. Stadium

The JRD Tata Sports Complex is owned by the Tata Steel Company much like other community facilities in the town. The stadium is a multi-purpose venue but has primarily been used for football.

The exciting part of the stadium is it's massive sixty thousand capacity which can make for some very high attendances in the home legs of Jamshedpur FC's games. A packed home crowd allows a team to play against intimidated or distracted opposition making it easier for them to pick up points.

The JRD Tata Sports Complex does require improvements on the infrastructure point of view but with a permanent football club now operating out of the ground, it's not far-fetched to see improvements being made soon to the facilities.

The Jamshedpur crowds are always known to turn up for sporting events cheering passionately and the ISL's arrival only bodes well for the city's many football freaks. A big stadium is always a must for a big club and Jamshedpur FC have that box ticked and ready to be examined by rivals.

ISL fans will be keenly awaiting the atmosphere that the Jamshedpur FC home ground will display on their matchdays.

4. Passionate Fans and Potential rivalry with Kolkata's clubs

A new derby between Jamshedpur and ATK could be onits way. (Photo: ISL)

Football is a very popular sport in the eastern part of India and Jharkhand is no exception. There are a number passionate football fans in the city and they are raring to get going to cheer on their local team.

Earlier many people supported ATK because of the proximity to the city of Kolkata, but that equation is ready to be flipped on its head. The arrival of Jamshedpur FC means that ATK now have a regional rival to compete against, and that can only mean entertainment.

A healthy rivalry is perfect to build a fanbase and a rivalry with a successful club like ATK will push the club harder and higher. The prospect of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal also being a part of future ISL expansions means that Jamshedpur FC will have a rich pick of clubs to establish a firm envy against.

The passion of Jamshedpur fans has a good stimulus in the geographical proximity of the Bengal clubs and the passionate spectators of Jamshedpur make this club a very important part of the football conversation in the Eastern part of India, giving it a lot of exposure in the media and among fans.

3. Good Indian Players

Subrata Pal is one of the top Indian players that Jamshedpur FC signed.

The draft picks that Jamshedpur FC made were excellent. They have a very solid contingent of Indian players in the squad meaning that they are able to compete without excessive pressure on their foreign stars to perform.

Anas Edathodika and Robin Gurung are both experienced and solid defenders while former India No 1 Subrata Pal is their first choice goalkeeper. Former Kerala Blasters midfielder Mehtab Hossain and India international Bikas Jairu make up a solid first choice Indian spine in the midfield.

Upfront experienced striker Ashim Biswas provides a reliable option if need be and Jamshedpur FC have managed to assemble a very quiet but very capable side. Their foreign signings fill in the gaps between the Indian spine and that allows Steve Coppell's side to operate comfortably.

The presence of so many great Indian players will aid the younger players coming through at Jamshedpur FC. The draft was almost perfect for the Men of Steel and they probably boast one of the best Indian contingents after North East United.

All this bodes well for the future because this strategy shows that Jamshedpur is ready to give the Indian stars a chance and trusts them to do a good job. That as an attitude garners a lot of respect for the side in a league where most teams depend on the foreign contingent to dig them out of holes.

2. Jharkhand is an untapped Football hotbed

The most popular sports in Jharkhand include hockey, cricket and football, with many local tournaments in football across the state. The arrival of Jamshedpur FC provides a new base for a largely untapped football hot bed.

Eastern India has largely proven to be football crazy and the young club has the geographical proximity to scout young talent in the area very effectively. The state possesses naturally athletic sportsmen as demonstrated in the contributions from the state to the national arena.

Jamshedpur FC have the investment from Tata Steel which allows them to run almost anything they want in Jamshedpur for reduced costs and the local talent is almost certain to benefit from the full-time involvement of a professional club.

As has been mentioned earlier, the passionate fans of the game point out to the potential of this state. The club needs to work on a solid marketing and recruitment strategy to turn the potential into tangible benefits.

Though Jharkhand do not have a great record in the Santhosh Trophy the players they send are athletic and quick, giving them two key physical attributes to mold the style of play and the improvement of the all-round game of players if utilised properly.

1.Tata Football Academy

The legendary football academy has produced some of India's finest footballers. Players like Subrata Paul, Clifford Miranda and Renedy Singh have all emerged from this prestigious academy that is located in Jamshedpur.

The academy in eleven years has produced at least three internationals in every batch of it's graduates. The TFA is also owned by the Tata Group and it is natural for the club and the academy to tie up. This potentially signals a supply of some of India's best talent into Jamshedpur FC.

The other clubs in the ISL have to go through arduous troubles to set up their youth development programmes. In the case of Jamshedpur FC, it seems most of the hard work has already been done. The TFA has links with clubs like Sheffield United in the United Kingdom and in the past participated in the lower divisions of Indian football quite successfully.

Jamshedpur FC has the investment of the Tatas behind them and the academy. The Tatas are known for their credible and responsible nature of functioning and with the ISL gaining more popularity by the day, JFC is truly in for the long haul in terms of their outlook and character.

Edited by Soumo Ghosh