Dodsal FC, funded by the Dodsal Group -- a company owned by the Kilachand family, that deals with trading , distribution, engineering and construction among a host of other businesses -- had got themselves registered with the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) and wasted no time in getting their act together.
The buzz is not just about the new entrant that promises to give Mumbai and Indian football a major fillip financially and professionally alone. It also signals the return of the exiled, former Air India coach Bimal Ghosh.
Known for his vision and being a maverick, it is said that Ghosh who will be at the helm has already managed to get his scouts ink the signatures of some of the big names in Indian football.
their base being the Fr Agnel's artificial turf and the Reliance complex where the players will be housed
Stadium
The club do not have an official stadium as of yet as the Mumbai Football League and the Durand Cup are played at neutral venues but the club has already set up a training ground at the Fr. Angel High School sports complex.
Former French international Mikaël Samy Silvestre, who in his illustrious club career has played for Stade Rennes, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FC Arsenal and Werder Bremen will be joining newly founded Dodsal FC from Mumbai in January 2013 to help the club gain promotion from the I-League Division 2 to the top tier of Indian club football.
Mikael Silvestre, who can play as left-back or centre-back, confirmed this piece of news to German newspaper ‘Syker Kreiszeitung’ in which the 35 year old termed his signing for Dodsal FC as his ‘final football adventure’.
Silvestre, who has 40 caps for France to his name, had been released at the end of last season by Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after a disappointing two years in Germany, had been searching for a new club in Europe. He initially kept himself fit at former club Arsenal with the hope of signing for West Ham United, which failed to materialise, before returned to Manchester to keep himself fit under Sir Alex Ferguson, where Silvestre had his most successful stint.
“I have had the offer (from Dodsal FC) since the summer and now I have decided to accept it. At the end of October I will sign the contract. Until christmas we will stay at our old house (in Manchester), then we will sell it. In January 2013 I will join my new club,” an elated Silvestre told the ‘Syker Kreiszeitung’.
“I have never been to India, this will be very exiting, a big adventure for me,” Silvestre added.
For Mumbai-based professional side Dodsal FC, who were only formed in May 2012, the signing of Mikael Silvestre further proves their intent to push the limits in Indian football, which the Dodsal Group chairman Rajen Kilachand has given out the ultimate goal of the club.
The aim of the season for Dodsal FC is to qualify for the I-League next season and aim to play in the AFC Asian Champions League over the next five years. An ambitious plan but a possible target.