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East Bengal the Real Power
AbbreviationEBRP
Founded15 November 2006; 17 years ago (2006-11-15)
TypeSupporters' group
ClubEast Bengal FC
MottoBorn to Win
StadiumEast Bengal Ground
Salt Lake Stadium
FounderRabi Shankar Sen[1][2]
ColorsRed and Gold
Websiteeastbengaltherealpower

East Bengal the Real Power (EBRP) is the first registered fan club in India, which was established on 15 November 2006, and supports the Indian club, East Bengal. It is one of the largest fan clubs in the country.[3][4] It helps the fans and the club during match days, organises various social activities and events. It also runs a U19 football coaching camp. The group started as an Orkut group and gradually expanded into a supporter group of over 150,000 members. It played a major role in the centenary celebrations of East Bengal by hoisting club flags in 50 Indian cities and 50 other cities all over the world.

History

Before the formation of East Bengal the Real Power or EBRP, there were no such organised fan clubs or supporter groups of East Bengal and in Kolkata football.[5] East Bengal the Real Power was formed with the purpose to condense the spread fan support of East Bengal. It was initially established in Orkut. It also became the first online fans community in Asia.[6] In the initial years, it was restricted to online platforms only, and later it turned into a real supporter group.[1] Today, the group is not only restricted to India, but has spread all over the world with over 1.5 lakh (150,000) members.[6][5]

Supported club

Blue Pilgrims unfurl a tifo displaying different club fans united together.
Tifo displaying fans of Mohammedan, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal united as the "12th man" of the national team.
Tifo by East Bengal the Real Power

East Bengal Club is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in the country, which currently plays in the Indian Super League. The club was established on 1 August 1920 and has won three National Football League (later named as I-League) titles, eight Federation Cups, and three Indian Super Cups, alongside other trophies.[7]

East Bengal the Real Power is one biggest and most active fan clubs of East Bengal. It cheers for the club in both home and away matches all around the country, and also makes banners and tifos on match-days.[2]

East Bengal the Real Power has also backed the India national football team. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier India vs Bangladesh match, they unfurled a huge tifo along with Blue Pilgrims and other fan clubs. Funding for the creation of the tifo was raised through crowdfunding; raising a total of ₹87,507 (US$1,000) from 274 donors.[8][9]

Centenary celebrations of East Bengal

Being the 100th year of East Bengal, the fan club organised rallies and other events. It started the centenary celebrations from the house of Suresh Chandra Chowdhury (one of the founders of the club) on 23 August 2019 by lighting 100 candles and procession.[10]

EBRP along with Bengal Heritage Foundation and London Sharad Utsav hoisted club flags in 50 Indian cities and 50 other cities around the globe, to commemorate the club's centenary. In every city, a prominent landmark was chosen to hoist the flag.[11][12] On 4 August at 12:00 hours (local time of respective cities), as soon as the flag was hoisted in the club, all the hundred flags were hoisted, starting from Dhaka and ending in Tokyo, by supporters, former players and former coaches, like Chima Okorie in England, Douglas Silva in Brazil, Suleh Musah in Ghana, Phillip Ridder in Belgium.[11][13][14][15][16]

Exhibition derby matches, between East Bengal fans and Mohun Bagan fans, were organised in Slough, UK. Each side was subdivided into 3 teams and played against each other in a round-robin format. The tournament was attended by Chima Okorie.[17][18][19]

Football Fest

Started in 2014, it is one of the biggest events organised by the fan club every year. It generally happens in New Town's NKDA Stadium. Around 98 footballers with 8 teams participate in the tournament. In 2020 an exhibition match was also held for U-17 women and the visually impaired.[20][21][22][23]

Some famous footballers and personalities are invited every year as ambassadors in the fest.[24] Former and current players and staff are also invited in the event.[25]

Coronavirus and Amphan aid

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal and Cyclone Amphan

The fan club came forward to ease the livelihood of people hit by the nation-wide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They donated money and essential items like food grains and toiletries to two ardent East Bengal supporters.[26][27] They also raised and donated money to the Government relief funds.[28][29][5]

South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal was badly hit due to Cyclone Amphan. EBRP along with Narendrapur Ramkrishna Mission started a campaign called "CTRL + Z Bengal" (which refers to reverting the current situation of the state to the previous one), in Garankati village, where they fed around 500 people.[30][31][32]

Other initiatives

The fan club has taken up various initiatives in and around the city since its formation. It organises blood donation and health checkup camps every year;[1] Bhai Phota and Raksha Bandhan with players;[3] best fan's player of the month award.[33][34] EBRP was part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the club's 2003 ASEAN Club Championship with the winning squad.[35] It raised funds for the club[36] and for treatment of an injured supporter[37][38][39][40] It helps the fans and the club during match-days, organises various social activities and events. It also runs a U19 football coaching camp at Sodepur, Panshila.[1]

Protest

EBRP along with East Bengal Ultras and other fan clubs staged a pre-planned protest on 21 July 2021, against the club management for not signing the final contract with the investor, Shree Cement.[41][42][43][44] The group alleged that their founder, Rabi Shankar Sen and some fans had received death threats for planning the protest.[45] Team head coach and Liverpool legend, Robbie Fowler reacted, “Disgraceful but honestly not surprised” on Twitter.[46][47]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b "How does it feel to be an East Bengal fan?". The Times of India. 13 March 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "East Bengal the Real POWER's Journey of a Decade". Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Club Day: East Bengal – Five Of The Best | Goal.com". goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Ghosh, Paradip (19 April 2020). "প্রধানমন্ত্রী, মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর তহবিলে টাকা, অভুক্তদের মুখে খাবার তুলে দিল EBRP". News18 Bengali (in Bengali). Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b "East Bengal FC is Ruling Indian Football for 97 years | The Club has Strong Football Tradition with enormous Fan Base in World". eastbengaltherealpower.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Team Page | Hero I-League". Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Mecca Cholo Bondhu! Rival fans join forces to back Blue Tigers against Bangladesh". timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Blue Pilgrims Collaboration Tifo fund – India vs Bangladesh". milaap.org. 25 September 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  10. ^ "EBRP press release".
  11. ^ a b "East Bengal goes places at 100". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  12. ^ "East Bengal club turn 100, 50 countries hoist 50 flags". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  13. ^ "লাল-হলুদ পতাকা উড়বে বিশ্বজুড়ে". Eisamay (in Bengali). 1 July 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  14. ^ ABPL. "East Bengal FC centenary to be celebrated worldwide..." asian-voice.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  15. ^ Desk, Sports (5 August 2019). "ইস্টবেঙ্গলে চূড়ান্ত রোনাল্ডো, শতবর্ষে ১০০ শহরে উড়ল লাল-হলুদ পতাকা". Kolkata24x7 | Read Latest Bengali News, Breaking News in Bangla from West Bengal's Leading online Newspaper. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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  17. ^ "বিলেতের মাঠে ঘটি-বাঙাল ফুটবলযুদ্ধ". Ei Samay (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  18. ^ "লন্ডনে ইস্টবেঙ্গল- মোহনবাগান ডার্বি, জিতল কে?". anandabazar.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Page 11 – Sangbad Pratidin 21–07–19". Epaper Sangbad Pratidin. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  20. ^ "United by club, divided by Cup". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  21. ^ "East Bengal the Real Power – EBRP Fest to feature a special women's match!". Arunava about Football. 1 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  22. ^ "East Bengal The Real Power to hold their annual EBRP Fest on June 10". The Blog » CPD Football by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel (in German). 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  23. ^ "প্রস্তুতি শুরু ইবিআরপি ফেস্টের". eiimuhurte. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Aspas, embajador del fútbol femenino en India". eldesmarque.com. 1 June 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  25. ^ "East Bengal The Real Power successfully hosts EBRP Fest 2018!". Arunava about Football. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  26. ^ "East Bengal fans lend support to Lozenge Masi and late Kartik Das' family". The Bridge. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  27. ^ "EBRP comes forward, this time for Jamuna-di & late Kartik Das' family!". Arunava about Football. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Sport, interrupted: For Lozenge Didi, no football is a bitter pill to swallow". ESPN. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  29. ^ "Coronavirus and football: When supporters' clubs unite to help | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  30. ^ Lokshman, Mrityunjoy (8 June 2020). "নরেন্দ্রপুর রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনের সহায়তায় আমফান দুর্গতদের পাশে "ইস্টবেঙ্গল দ্য রিয়েল পাওয়ার"". বিশ্ব বাংলা সংবাদ. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  31. ^ Ghosh, Sabyasachi (8 June 2020). "উম্পুনে বিধ্বস্ত দক্ষিণবঙ্গের মানুষদের মুখে হাসি ফোটাল ইস্টবেঙ্গল দ্য রিয়েল পাওয়ার". Kolkatatimes24. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  32. ^ "East Bengal fan club gives relief material to Amphan victims". outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  33. ^ "page 12 – kolkata Edition – ekdin epaper kolkata". ekdin-epaper.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Page 13 – Sangbad Pratidin 27–12–18". Epaper Sangbad Pratidin. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Fan clubs celebrate 10 years of East Bengal's ASEAN Cup win in style". goal.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Anandabazar Partrika".
  37. ^ "Association Football: East Bengal fan hurt, rivals unite to crowdfund treatment". The Times of India. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Mohun Bagan and East Bengal supporters unite to raise funds for treatment of injured fan". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  39. ^ "East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans join hands to aid injured fan". The Bridge. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  40. ^ "সুস্থ হয়ে উঠুক অনির্বাণ, সুস্থ হোক ফুটবল মাঠের মানসিকতাও". justduniya.com. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  41. ^ "East Bengal fans plan massive protest on July 21 against the club". DNA India. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  42. ^ "SC East Bengal-investor row: Supporters clash near club tent in Kolkata; five injured". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  43. ^ "East Bengal supporters clash in Maidan area over Shree Cement agreement". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  44. ^ "EB - Investor row: Supporters clash near club tent, five injured". ESPN. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  45. ^ "ক্লাব কর্তাদের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদ করলে মিলছে ফোনে হুমকি, দাবি ইস্টবেঙ্গল সমর্থকদের". Khas Khobor | Bangla News | Latest Bengali News | বাংলা সংবাদ, বাংলা খবর | Breaking News| Kolkata News |Political News | Entertainment News | Sports News | Lifestyle News. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  46. ^ "East Bengal fan receives death threats, Robbie Fowler responds". Khel Now. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  47. ^ News9live (20 July 2021). "East Bengal's future tense after contract row intensifies; will 'Didi' intervene?". NEWS9 LIVE. Retrieved 11 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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