East Bengal the Real Power
{{Short description|Supporters group of East Bengal Football Club}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2020}}{{Infobox sport supporter group
|name = East Bengal the Real Power
|image =200px
|caption =
|abbreviation = EBRP
|founded = {{start date and years ago|2006|11|15|df=yes}}
|type = Supporters' group
|motto = Born to Win
|location =
|arena =
|coordinates =
|colors = {{color box|#ED1B24}} {{color box|#FFD700}} Red and Gold
|stadium = East Bengal Ground
Salt Lake Stadium
|club = East Bengal FC
|leader_title = Founder
|leader_name = Rabi Shankar Sen{{Cite web|date=13 March 2019|title=How does it feel to be an East Bengal fan?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/how-does-it-feel-to-be-an-east-bengal-fan/articleshow/68376337.cms|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618181138/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/how-does-it-feel-to-be-an-east-bengal-fan/articleshow/68376337.cms|archive-date=18 June 2020|url-status=live}}
|website =[http://www.eastbengaltherealpower.com/ Website]
}}
East Bengal the Real Power (EBRP) is the first registered fan club in India, which was established on 15 November 2006, and supports East Bengal FC. It is one of the largest fan clubs in the country.{{Cite web|title=East Bengal the Real POWER's Journey of a Decade|url=http://rajarshissportsworld.blogspot.com/2015/11/east-bengal-real-powers-journey-of.html|access-date=9 February 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716202123/http://rajarshissportsworld.blogspot.com/2015/11/east-bengal-real-powers-journey-of.html|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Club Day: East Bengal – Five Of The Best {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/09/17/869063/club-day-east-bengal-five-of-the-best|access-date=3 June 2020|website=goal.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603171326/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/09/17/869063/club-day-east-bengal-five-of-the-best|archive-date=3 June 2020|url-status=live}} It helps the fans and the club during match days, organises various social activities and events. It also runs a U19 football coaching camp. They 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.{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Paradip|date=19 Apr 2020|title=প্রধানমন্ত্রী, মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর তহবিলে টাকা, অভুক্তদের মুখে খাবার তুলে দিল EBRP|url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/coronavirus-latest-news/ebrp-donated-money-to-pm-and-cm-fund-for-fight-against-coronavirus-dd-439812.html|access-date=2021-07-30|website=News18 Bengali|language=bn}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://eastbengaltherealpower.com/news/east-bengal-fc-is-ruling-indian-football-for-97-years--the-club-has-strong-football-tradition-with-enormous-fan-base-in-world|title=East Bengal FC is Ruling Indian Football for 97 years {{!}} The Club has Strong Football Tradition with enormous Fan Base in World|website=eastbengaltherealpower.com|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217154806/http://eastbengaltherealpower.com/news/east-bengal-fc-is-ruling-indian-football-for-97-years--the-club-has-strong-football-tradition-with-enormous-fan-base-in-world|archive-date=17 February 2020|url-status=live}} In the initial years, it was restricted to online platforms only, and later it turned into a real supporter group.{{Cite web|title=Desi Tadka: East Bengal On Orkut {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2009/03/06/1141479/desi-tadka-east-bengal-on-orkut|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716200825/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2009/03/06/1141479/desi-tadka-east-bengal-on-orkut|archive-date=16 July 2019|access-date=9 February 2020|website=goal.com}} Today, the group is not only restricted to India, but has spread all over the world with over 1.5 lakh (150,000) members.
Supported club
File:INDvsBAN_2019_BluePilgrimTifo(MB-EB-MM).jpg, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal united as the "12th man" of the national team.]]
East Bengal FC 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.{{Cite web|title=Team Page {{!}} Hero I-League|url=https://i-league.org/team-page/|access-date=7 June 2020|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129184215/https://i-league.org/team-page/|archive-date=29 November 2019|url-status=live}}
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.
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 {{INRConvert|87507}} from 274 donors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/mecca-cholo-bondhu-rival-fans-join-forces-to-back-the-blue-tigers-against-bangladesh/503273|title=Mecca Cholo Bondhu! Rival fans join forces to back Blue Tigers against Bangladesh|website=timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203000547/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/mecca-cholo-bondhu-rival-fans-join-forces-to-back-the-blue-tigers-against-bangladesh/503273|archive-date=3 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=25 September 2019|title=Blue Pilgrims Collaboration Tifo fund – India vs Bangladesh.|url=https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-blue-pilgrims-1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119145241/https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-blue-pilgrims-1|archive-date=19 November 2019|accessdate=19 November 2019|website=milaap.org}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://scontent.fccu14-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67403268_2543824632303692_5893002847338889216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ohc=PDe3mUhTPy8AQmT-r9r9JPD8LRuyNtRxpzFdK1DGomE0euStG4krDMfHA&_nc_ht=scontent.fccu14-1.fna&oh=fd30e777cd5cd5603a528838899726a1&oe=5EB25465|title=EBRP press release}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/east-bengal-goes-places-at-100/cid/1697271|title=East Bengal goes places at 100|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|language=en|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222112638/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/east-bengal-goes-places-at-100/cid/1697271|archive-date=22 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/east-bengal-club-turn-100-50-countries-hoist-50-flags/articleshow/70828266.cms|title=East Bengal club turn 100, 50 countries hoist 50 flags|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415072140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/east-bengal-club-turn-100-50-countries-hoist-50-flags/articleshow/70828266.cms|archive-date=15 April 2020|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/sports/football/news/100-years-of-east-bengal-will-be-celebrated-around-the-world/articleshow/70241929.cms|title=লাল-হলুদ পতাকা উড়বে বিশ্বজুড়ে|date=1 July 2019|website=Eisamay|language=bn|access-date=9 February 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.asian-voice.com/Sport/International/East-Bengal-FC-centenary-to-be-celebrated-worldwide|title=East Bengal FC centenary to be celebrated worldwide...|last=ABPL|website=asian-voice.com|language=en-GB|access-date=9 February 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=Sports|date=5 August 2019|title=ইস্টবেঙ্গলে চূড়ান্ত রোনাল্ডো, শতবর্ষে ১০০ শহরে উড়ল লাল-হলুদ পতাকা|url=https://www.kolkata24x7.com/ronaldo-oliviera-is-confirm-in-east-bengal/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Kolkata24x7 {{!}} Read Latest Bengali News, Breaking News in Bangla from West Bengal's Leading online Newspaper|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607091843/https://www.kolkata24x7.com/ronaldo-oliviera-is-confirm-in-east-bengal/|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=22 May 2019|first=Ajanta|last=Chakraborty|title=East Bengal flag to be waved from 100 cities|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/east-bengal-flag-to-be-waved-from-100-cities/articleshow/69448660.cms|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227173712/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/east-bengal-flag-to-be-waved-from-100-cities/articleshow/69448660.cms|archive-date=27 December 2019|url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite web|title=বিলেতের মাঠে ঘটি-বাঙাল ফুটবলযুদ্ধ|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/sports/football/news/east-bengal-and-mohunbagan-supporters-derby-match-will-be-held-in-london/articleshow/64691203.cms|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Ei Samay|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607180955/https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/sports/football/news/east-bengal-and-mohunbagan-supporters-derby-match-will-be-held-in-london/articleshow/64691203.cms|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=লন্ডনে ইস্টবেঙ্গল- মোহনবাগান ডার্বি, জিতল কে?|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/photogallery/sport/eastbengal-vs-mohunbagan-in-uk-dgtl-1.836816|access-date=7 June 2020|website=anandabazar.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607180920/https://www.anandabazar.com/photogallery/sport/eastbengal-vs-mohunbagan-in-uk-dgtl-1.836816|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Page 11 – Sangbad Pratidin 21–07–19|url=http://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/epaper/m/371237/5d33b1c674f0b|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Epaper Sangbad Pratidin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607181227/https://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/epaper/m/371237/5d33b1c674f0b|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/united-by-club-divided-by-cup/cid/1420233|title=United by club, divided by Cup|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|language=en|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716200825/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/united-by-club-divided-by-cup/cid/1420233|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.arunfoot.com/east-bengal-the-real-power-ebrp-fest-to-feature-a-special-womens-match/|title=East Bengal the Real Power – EBRP Fest to feature a special women's match!|date=1 June 2019|website=Arunava about Football|language=en-GB|access-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215161743/http://www.arunfoot.com/east-bengal-the-real-power-ebrp-fest-to-feature-a-special-womens-match/|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=8 June 2018|title=East Bengal The Real Power to hold their annual EBRP Fest on June 10|url=https://blog.cpdfootball.de/2018/06/08/east-bengal-the-real-power-to-hold-their-annual-ebrp-fest-on-june-10/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Blog » CPD Football by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel|language=de-DE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607093340/https://blog.cpdfootball.de/2018/06/08/east-bengal-the-real-power-to-hold-their-annual-ebrp-fest-on-june-10/|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=প্রস্তুতি শুরু ইবিআরপি ফেস্টের|url=https://www.eimuhurte.com/kolkata/upcoming-event-of-ebrp-5813/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=eiimuhurte|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607172213/https://www.eimuhurte.com/kolkata/upcoming-event-of-ebrp-5813/|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}
Some famous footballers and personalities are invited every year as ambassadors in the fest.{{Cite web|url=https://eldesmarque.com/vigo/celta/noticias/129867-aspas-embajador-del-futbol-femenino-en-india|website=eldesmarque.com|access-date=9 February 2020|title=Aspas, embajador del fútbol femenino en India|date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717101256/https://eldesmarque.com/vigo/celta/noticias/129867-aspas-embajador-del-futbol-femenino-en-india|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}} Former and current players and staff are also invited in the event.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arunfoot.com/east-bengal-the-real-power-successfully-hosts-ebrp-fest-2018/|title=East Bengal The Real Power successfully hosts EBRP Fest 2018!|date=1 June 2018|website=Arunava about Football|language=en-GB|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620073502/http://www.arunfoot.com/east-bengal-the-real-power-successfully-hosts-ebrp-fest-2018/|archive-date=20 June 2018|url-status=live}}
= 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; Bhai Phota and Raksha Bandhan with players; best fan's player of the month award.{{Cite web|url=http://ekdin-epaper.com/epaper/m/117205/5c24519f6399a|title=page 12 – kolkata Edition – ekdin epaper kolkata|website=ekdin-epaper.com|access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/epaper/m/319422/5c2438ffa2786|title=Page 13 – Sangbad Pratidin 27–12–18|website=Epaper Sangbad Pratidin|access-date=10 February 2020}} EBRP was part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the club's 2003 ASEAN Club Championship with the winning squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3952/asia/2013/07/28/4146096/fan-clubs-celebrate-10-years-of-east-bengals-asean-cup-win|title=Fan clubs celebrate 10 years of East Bengal's ASEAN Cup win in style |website=goal.com|access-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717170502/https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3952/asia/2013/07/28/4146096/fan-clubs-celebrate-10-years-of-east-bengals-asean-cup-win|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}} It raised funds for the club{{Cite news|url=https://scontent.fccu14-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/76688886_2785480921471394_2809059296216612864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ohc=SOAHQxXyb7AAQnDtjfrOADKiwqJ3WFs_aXrKjKw7uHMA417gq52C40SPg&_nc_ht=scontent.fccu14-1.fna&oh=405a488c9c0a48b3ccbf16cd2df182aa&oe=5EAAA678|title=Anandabazar Partrika}} and for treatment of an injured supporter{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/east-bengal-fan-hurt-rivals-unite-to-crowdfund-treatment/articleshow/65142291.cms|title=Association Football: East Bengal fan hurt, rivals unite to crowdfund treatment|date=26 July 2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729202812/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/east-bengal-fan-hurt-rivals-unite-to-crowdfund-treatment/articleshow/65142291.cms|archive-date=29 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/sports-trends/mohun-bagan-and-east-bengal-supporters-unite-to-raise-funds-for-treatment-of-injured-fan-2767511.html|title=Mohun Bagan and East Bengal supporters unite to raise funds for treatment of injured fan|website=Moneycontrol|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106155614/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/sports-trends/mohun-bagan-and-east-bengal-supporters-unite-to-raise-funds-for-treatment-of-injured-fan-2767511.html|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2 July 2018|title=East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans join hands to aid injured fan|url=https://thebridge.in/latest/east-bengal-mohun-bagan-fans-join-hands-aid-injured-fan/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Bridge|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607121239/https://thebridge.in/latest/east-bengal-mohun-bagan-fans-join-hands-aid-injured-fan/|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2 July 2018|title=সুস্থ হয়ে উঠুক অনির্বাণ, সুস্থ হোক ফুটবল মাঠের মানসিকতাও|url=https://www.justduniya.com/anirban-get-well-soon/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=justduniya.com |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607181030/https://www.justduniya.com/anirban-get-well-soon/|archive-date=7 June 2020|url-status=live}} 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.
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.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-21|title=East Bengal fans plan massive protest on July 21 against the club|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-east-bengal-fans-plan-massive-protest-on-july-21-against-the-club-2901663|access-date=2021-07-30|website=DNA India|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=SC East Bengal-investor row: Supporters clash near club tent in Kolkata; five injured|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2021/jul/21/sc-east-bengal-investor-row-supporters-clash-near-club-tent-in-kolkata-five-injured-2333396.html|access-date=2021-07-30|website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web|title=East Bengal supporters clash in Maidan area over Shree Cement agreement|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/east-bengal-supporters-clash-in-maidan-area-over-shree-cement-agreement/cid/1823379|access-date=2021-07-30|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-21|title=EB - Investor row: Supporters clash near club tent, five injured|url=https://www.espn.in/football/indian-super-league/story/4436162/east-bengal-investor-row-supporters-clash-near-club-tentfive-injured|access-date=2021-07-30|website=ESPN|language=en}} The group alleged that their founder, Rabi Shankar Sen and some fans had received death threats for planning the protest.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-06|title=ক্লাব কর্তাদের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদ করলে মিলছে ফোনে হুমকি, দাবি ইস্টবেঙ্গল সমর্থকদের|url=https://www.khaskhobor.com/sports/east-bengal-supporters-says-they-received-phone-threats-if-they-protest-against-club-officials/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Khas Khobor {{!}} Bangla News {{!}} Latest Bengali News {{!}} বাংলা সংবাদ, বাংলা খবর {{!}} Breaking News{{!}} Kolkata News {{!}}Political News {{!}} Entertainment News {{!}} Sports News {{!}} Lifestyle News}} Team head coach and Liverpool legend, Robbie Fowler reacted, “Disgraceful but honestly not surprised” on Twitter.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-18|title=East Bengal fan receives death threats, Robbie Fowler responds|url=https://khelnow.com/football/isl-2021-22-east-bengal-ebrp-death-threats-robbie-fowler/|access-date=2021-07-30|website=Khel Now|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=News9live|date=2021-07-20|title=East Bengal's future tense after contract row intensifies; will 'Didi' intervene?|url=https://www.news9live.com/sports/east-bengals-future-tense-after-contract-row-intensifies-will-didi-intervene-49190.html|access-date=2021-08-11|website=NEWS9 LIVE|language=English}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.eastbengaltherealpower.com/ Website]
{{East Bengal F.C.}}