The Co-owner of Real Kashmir FC Shamim Meraj reported that over several problems and increasing disagreements with team management, lead to his exit from the club.
Although he tried to follow a more engaging football style. However, other team management leaders decided to adhere to coach David Robertson’s strategy.
David Robertson’s style that featured the traditional English football template, utilizing the players’ physical capabilities at his fingertips.
“It was very frustrating for him to see Kashmir play that kind of football. He felt that football should always entertain people but that was not happening at Real Kashmir. There was too much workload on one player and he was not being able to give his best. The other key players did not suit the methods of the coach. He wanted to change things at the club. The third-place finish in the debut season fuelled further ambition and that might have become a bane for the club.” – said Meraj.
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Meraj is also the editor of the Kashmir Monitor family-owned local newspaper. He founded Real Kashmir along with Sandeep Chattoo in March 2016 to engage with football among local young kids.
Shamim Meraj wrote on Linkedin:
“Real Kashmir FC was formed in March 2016. After a memorable 4 year journey, easily one of the most fascinating in football world I stepped down from the club in March this year. Though I may not be a part of RKFC anymore, it is my favourite club and I will continue to follow and cheer for it wherever I am.” – Meraj expressed.
Real Kashmir is the first team from Kashmir to compete in I-League, the first division of football in India.
Real Kashmir FC was promoted to the 2018-19 I-League in May 2018 by capturing the 2017-18 I-League 2nd Division. They defeated Hindustan FC by a score of 3–2 in the final game of the season.
“I was out with my friends in the city for a stroll. We decided to do something that could engage them. I requested a couple of my friends to send footballs for them. That’s when the idea of forming a small club struck me.” – Meraj said in an interview a couple of years back.
Real Kashmir has captured the country ‘s attention since joining the I-League. In their first season in the first-tier I-League season, the Kashmir club finished 3rd on the table.
Since appearing in a BBC series entitled “Real Kashmir FC,” Real Kashmir also gained worldwide attention for the squad and their Scottish boss David Robertson.
The co-owner Sandeep Chattoo has taken sole ownership of the club since Meraj departure from his own club.
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