Kolkata: Liqour baron Vijay Mallya has parted ways with Mohun Bagan. Mr Mallya stepped down from the post of chairman and non-executive director of United Spirits Limited (USL) . Mallya associated himself with Mohun Bagan, through a deal inked between the club and the then United Breweries (UB) Group back in the late 90s, in which he bought 50 per cent stake.
The club has been going through a fund crunch ever since Diageo took over USL. Irregularity in making player payments came to the forefront. With the payment-related issues not addressed, the club officials decided to stop using the McDowell logo that used to be embossed on the Bagan jersey from the very first training session of the team this season.
According to senior club officials , Mallya’s resignation from post of chairman may come as a blessing in disguise. The club which has been going through a financial crisis since late 2014 and without a sponsor since the start of the current season, can finally scout for a new one as Mallya has officially parted ways.
Club president Swapan Sadhan Bose has so far been funding the club as USL had not been providing funds for the past one-and-a-half years.
“Since November 2014, the sponsorship with USL became more or less non-existent, as the company had not been funding our club. Now that Mallya has resigned, it officially ends all ties.” commented a senior official of the club. He further added ,”The team is no longer McDowell Mohun Bagan. It has been re-registered as Mohun Bagan Athletic Club in the AIFF and accepted by the football fraternity.”
Despite the financial crisis the officials managed to build a strong squad this season as well. The players have responded well with the club winning the I League last season and are placed at the top of the table after the end of first leg .