Super League Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram Kombans is geared up for Season 3

For 13-year-old Govind P Suthan and his friends who attend coaching at a football academy in Thiruvananthapuram, it is that time of the year again to watch their favourite team in action — Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC (TKFC), the capital city’s franchise under Kerala’s premiere football league, Super League Kerala (SLK). Since 2024, they have watched every home match of the team.

Once home to legendary football players, TKFC has managed to reignite the same rousing spirit that the capital was known for with the launch of SLK two years ago. TKFC’s matches have brought fans in droves to the team’s homeground Chandrasekharan Nair stadium, proof of how badly the sport was missed in the city. With professional football in its revival phase, the floodlights are on again for yet another season.

Players and support staff of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans
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Handpicked by the scouting team comprising club directors Terance Alex and TJ Mathew, both former footballers themselves, this year sees larger representation for the hometown. Shijin T, Gokul S, Akshay PM, Femin Antony, and Shinu R, along with Under-23 category talents Hrithik Antony, the SLK ‘Project Game changer’ pick from Kovalam FC as part of the league’s drive to promote uncapped players, and Shanu Stellus, are all set to don the coveted yellow jersey.

Moving away from an all-Brazilian squad, this season the team includes players from Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Columbia and Brazil, with crowd favourite Patric Mota making it a hat-trick of seasons with the Kombans.

Ian Gillan, head coach of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans
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Ian Gillan, who led Calicut FC to victory in the first season, leads Kombans FC this year as head coach. “A friend once told me that Kerala is the football hub of India. What I have this year is a jigsaw puzzle of which I am trying to make a beautiful picture,” he says of the diverse talents that form the Kombans this season.

For managing director KC Chandrahasan football isn’t limited to the frenetic months of match season alone. TKFC is the only franchise backed by a business community of 30 members for whom it is a chance to pay back to a city that is dear to them. Promoting young talents from the grassroots-level has always been a priority. “It is about setting a vision in motion with a long-term goal. Every year, there are observations and corrections. This time, it is a different team with new strategies.”

The club has seen three fan clubs emerge, each with a considerable following, who have taken upon the task of providing key updates apart from home and away match days through their own social media channels.

Players of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans at their practice session
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Rohini Sajeev is a football enthusiast who decided to support TKFC after watching a match last season. The hospitality sector employee, who hails from Thrissur but has been working in the city for a year, says, “I have always loved football and the thrill of watching it live is unexplainable! I began to support the Kombans after watching them play!”

The Kombans will play their first game on September 26 against Calicut FC in Kozhikode. The home match is against reigning champions Kannur FC on October 4 at Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.