Real Kashmir FC
Real Kashmir started with a delivery of footballs after the 2014 floods and, within two years of turning professional, was the first club from Jammu and Kashmir to play in India’s top flight. They finished third in their first I-League season, won the IFA Shield twice and still play their home games on an artificial pitch in the middle of Srinagar.
From Flood Relief to the I-League
After floods hit the Kashmir Valley in September 2014, Shamim Meraj, editor of The Kashmir Monitor and a former college footballer, and businessman Sandeep Chattoo raised money from friends to get footballs into the hands of local kids. The response was big enough that they decided to build a proper club, and Real Kashmir FC took formal shape in March 2016. Four months later they were playing in the Durand Cup, where they finished last.
The turning point came in January 2017, when former Rangers and Leeds United defender David Robertson moved to Srinagar as head coach. The Scot, who won three caps for Scotland, had spent around a decade coaching in the United States. Under him Real Kashmir went unbeaten through the 2017–18 I-League Second Division and were promoted on 30 May 2018. Chattoo died in 2023.
Third at the First Attempt
Their I-League debut opened with a 1–0 win away at defending champions Minerva Punjab, Gnohere Krizo scoring late. By February 2019 they were top of the table after beating Gokulam Kerala 1–0 at the TRC Ground, and they finished the season third. Fourth and fifth place followed in the next two seasons, Robertson’s spell ending in 2022 after 70 matches. In 2024–25 they matched that debut, finishing third again.
The IFA Shield gave them their first silverware. In December 2020 they beat George Telegraph 2–1 to lift the 123rd IFA Shield, goalkeeper Mithun Samanta saving a late penalty. On 15 December 2021 they kept it, coming from behind against Sreenidi Deccan to win 2–1 after extra time.
Into the 2026–27 Indian Football League
The I-League has been rebranded as the Indian Football League, and Real Kashmir are one of 11 clubs in the 2026–27 season, which starts on 30 October 2026 and runs to 30 May 2027. The winners go up to the Indian Super League. Last season, with Srinagar-born former India midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed as head coach, they finished eighth after the first stage, then topped the relegation round to end seventh overall on 14 points. Home games stay at the TRC Turf Ground, the synthetic pitch where the club hosted its first I-League home games, while Bakshi Stadium awaits renovation.
Mason Robertson
Yellow and Blue
Real Kashmir play in yellow and blue. The early shirts carried no manufacturer, just The Kashmir Monitor as sponsor. Adidas came on board for the 2018–19 I-League, and the yellow 2019–20 home shirt, unveiled in November 2019, was dedicated to the fans with “Create. Believe. Inspire.” printed on the back of the neck. SIX5SIX, Nivia and Vector X followed, with UNICEF as shirt sponsor. In September 2025 Hummel produced a sky blue “peace jersey” inspired by Hari Parbat Fort, unveiled at the TRC Ground by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
This FanFile covers Real Kashmir FC as a club rather than one particular jersey. Check the crest, sponsor, manufacturer label and product code on your own shirt to identify its specific season and edition.
Your Next Football Shirt Could Come from Anywhere
Enjoyed discovering the story behind Real Kashmir FC? Explore another club, country and football culture through an authentic mystery football shirt from Mystique Jerseys. Choose your size and tell us which teams you want to avoid before we select your surprise.
Prefer to browse? See every mystery football shirt in one place.
Club Links
Sources & Further Reading
- Real Kashmir FC: official club site and honours
- The Better India: the founding story and promotion
- Al Jazeera: Real Kashmir’s first I-League season
- The Bridge: back-to-back IFA Shield wins
- Kashmir Reader: the 2025 Hummel peace jersey
- Wikipedia: 2026–27 Indian Football League
Facts checked: 21 October 2026.