Clube de Desportos Vasco da Gama (known as both NRB Vasco Sports Club, and Vasco SC) is an Indian professional multi-sports club based in Vasco da Gama, Goa, known for its association football team. Incorporated in 1951, the club is nicknamed "the port towners", and competes in Goa Professional League.
Vasco is the first Goan club run under public shareholding. It previously competed in the National Football League, then highest division of Indian football league system. The club also appeared in I-League 2nd Division in later years.
History
Formation
In 1951, residents from the port town of Vasco da Gama, Goa, including the Portuguese garrison stationed there formed the club called Clube de Desportos Vasco da Gama.
It was named after the famous Brazilian club Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, and similar colours were adopted by it. The open fields where the present Tilak Maidan Stadium and were the practice grounds for the players. Later a club house was built nearby, which still stands today.
Early years
During the last five decades the club participated in most of the major tournaments in India. The sixties and seventies were the most productive years for the club as they won some of the major tournaments during that time (Kerala Trophy, Stafford Cup, Chakola Gold Trophy and Sait-Nagjee Trophy). In 1968, it won the first edition of Goa Police Cup, and in 1969, it became the first Goan side to win Sait Nagjee Football Tournament defeating Border Security Force FC. It failed to win in other tournaments including Rovers Cup, Bordoloi Trophy and Nehru Memorial Tournament, having lost out in the several finals. In 1970, Vasco again became the first Goan side to win prestigious Bandodkar Gold Trophy, defeating Dempo 1–0.
During the late-60s and early-70s, Vasco was noted for having famous "A–B–C–D of Indian football", players Andrew D'Souza, Bernard Pereira, Catao Fernandes, and Dominic Pereira. As far as honors at home go, the club won the Goa Professional League title on six occasions starting in 1954 until 1969 and is the oldest registered club still participating in the state's top league competition. Vasco also became first Goan club to have won a tournament in Bombay, the WIFA Championship in 1966.
After two decades of major victories, the 1980s saw a decline in the efficacy of the club in terms of all Indian and state tournaments. However, it retained a prominent position among the top five clubs in Goa. The decline started when Bandekar group withdrew support and there were no new investors to fund the increasing cost of top class players.
From 1973 to 1975, Vasco was managed by legendary Indian goalkeeper Peter Thangaraj, and renowned goalkeeper E.N. Sudhir played for the club. The club clinched Stafford Challenge Cup title in 1973. Over the last five decades, the club has received a lot of financial help from many philanthropic individuals not only from Goa, but also Goans residing abroad.
Present years
Undaunted, from the mid 1990s, under the leadership of Nõel da Lima Leitão, the club appointed former S.L. Benfica star Zeca Miglietti as coach for its training programme. His hard work saw the Club reach the quarterfinal phase of the KBL Federation Cup and among the contenders for qualification to the Premier Division National League. British coach Bob Bootland took charge of the club in mid-90s and worked until 1998.
For several years, Vasco emerged as one of the strongest sides in Goan football and they are well known for signing some quality foreigners. Signing players form Uzbekistan by them were one of the hot topics as they roped in some players including Yorqin Nazarov, Anvar Jabborov, Ravshan Teshabaev, Azamat Abduraimov, Sherzod Nazarov, Kashimov Awazbek.
Vasco has participated in the National Football League II or the second division for several times and in the 1999–00 season, they emerged as runners-up. In the 2002–03 National Football League, Vasco finished third on league table and they thrashed HAL SC 8–0, making it the biggest ever win for the club on margin.
In September 2000, they reached final of Tirur All-India Football Tournament in Tirur, Kerala, but finished as runners-up, losing 5–4 to Indian Bank Recreational Club.
Vasco debuted in the I-League during the 2008–09 season, but it was a though time for them as they finished on bottom of the league table with 10 points in 22 matches. Vasco last competed in the top flight of domestic football; I-League, during the 2009–10 season.