The 2014–15 season will be Bharat FC's first season in the I-League and first season in existence.

Background

On 25 August 2014 it was announced that

Kalyani Group The Kalyani Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate focused in four primary sectors, viz. Engineering Steel, Automotive & Non-Automotive Components, Renewable Energy & Infrastructure and Specialty Chemicals. It has also made strides into ...

had won the bidding rights to a new I-League team and that they would base the team in Pune,

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

. On 4 November 2014 it was announced that former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Stuart Watkiss would be the first head coach of the team's history. Then, six days later, on 10 November, it was announced that the team had signed their first player in New Zealand international

Kris Bright Kris Bright (born 5 September 1986) is a retired New Zealand footballer who is the current Sporting Director of New Zealand club Auckland City. Career Born in South Auckland, New Zealand, the son of New Zealand 1982 World Cup representative Da ...

. On 15 November, Stanley Rozario was appointed as the assistant coach. On 23 November, the team was officially unveiled as ''Bharat FC''.

Pre-season

The club started the season with two friendlies against Bombay Engineer Group, which they won 3–0 and the second one 5–0, courtesy two goals from

Steven Dias Steven Benedic Dias (born 25 December 1983) is an Indian former professional footballer and current coach of MFA Elite Division outfit Ambernath United Atlanta FC. An attacking midfielder who played on the wings, he was known for his long ran ...

and a goal each from Subhash Singh,

Surojit Bose Surojit Bose (born 19 December 1986) is an Indian footballer from Kolkata who currently plays for Mumbai Tigers. He has previously played for Mahindra United in the I-League, and for Bengal in the Santosh Trophy. Before joining Mahindra Unite ...

and

Jayashelan Prasad Jayashelan Prasad (born 26 May 1988) is an Indian footballer who last played for Bharat FC. Career Pune Jayashelan joined Pune F.C. during 2008. He was selected to play for the Pune FC senior team during the II-Division I-League campaign in ...

. In the last friendly before the season, Bharat FC played against Air India and managed a 2–2 draw with a goal each from

and

Gunashekar Vignesh Gunashekar Vignesh (born 30 September 1988) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bengaluru United in the I-League 2nd Division. Career Born in Karnataka, Bangalore, Vignesh began his career with I-League cl ...

Background

Pre-season

Matches

I-League

Table

First-team squad

Technical Staff

References