Neroca FC
- Leagues Played
- India I-League 132 India Manipur State League 12 India I-League 2nd Division 9 India Durand Cup 8 India Super Cup 4
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- Related Teams
- Neroca FC Reserves
Wikipedia - NEROCA FC
NEROCA Football Club (known fully as North Eastern Re-Organising Cultural Association Football Club) is an Indian professional football club based in Imphal, Manipur, that competed in I-League, the second tier of Indian football league system. Founded in 1965, and nicknamed "Orange Brigade", the club made their I-League 2nd Division debut in the 2015–16 season. Winning the 2016–17 league, they secured promotion to the I-League.
NEROCA is the only club from Northeast India to reach the final of the coveted Durand Cup. The club also competes in Manipur State League.
History
Formation and early years
North Eastern Re-Organising Cultural Association (NEROCA) was established in 1965 with the hope of improving quality in the field of cultural activities and sports in the Indian state of Manipur. It was registered under the Manipur State co-operative Society Registration Act bearing registration No. 1016 of 1972. NEROCA is a registered football club of Imphal East District Football Association, and affiliated with All Manipur Football Association (AMFA). NEROCA has participated in the Manipur State League (MSL), since its inception and finished second-placed in the MSL 2007. The club is also a regular participant of Sir Churachand Singh Memorial Football Tournament.
2014–present
In the 9th season of Manipur State League (2014), NEROCA won championship trophy. The club as per norms of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), changed the nomenclature from "NEROCA" to "NEROCA Football Club Imphal", aiming to join I-League 2nd Division. NEROCA then went on to compete in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 I-League 2nd Division seasons. They emerged as champions of the 2016–17 season with 26 points in 10 matches from the final round, and qualified for the 2017–18 season of the I-League. They also clinched the title of Manipur State League in 2016.
The biggest achievement of NEROCA is emerging as the runners-up in the 2017–18 I-League. Under the coaching of Gift Raikhan, they finished campaign with 32 points from 18 matches. In that season, NEROCA brought Vector X as their official shirt sponsor. In the 2020–21 I-League, NEROCA finished bottom of the Relegation Stage and got formally relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of COVID-19 pandemic.
On 4 July 2021, NEROCA signed Khogen Singh as their head coach for the 2021–22 I-League season, and began the league journey with a 3–2 win against Sreenidi Deccan on 27 December 2021. They achieved seventh position in league table. They later participated in 2022 Durand Cup. In 2022–23 I-League, NEROCA they finished on tenth position, and later, failed to qualify for the 2023 Indian Super Cup. In October, the club roped in Malaysian manager Jacob Joseph as head coach for 2023–24 league season. In April 2024, NEROCA along with TRAU, refused to travel to Mizoram to play Aizawl in their away matches and the games were cancelled by the AIFF; Both the teams from Manipur were relegated to I-League 2.
The team's colors are orange and black, and they are known for their attacking style of play and skilled players. Neroca FC has a reputation for developing young talent and giving opportunities to local players.
Neroca FC has had success in domestic competitions, winning the I-League 2nd Division in 2017 and finishing as runners-up in the I-League in 2018. The team has also competed in international tournaments, representing India on the global stage.
Overall, Neroca FC is a respected and competitive team in Indian football, with a bright future ahead. Their passionate fans and dedicated players make them a force to be reckoned with in the world of soccer.