By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Kerala is once again back into the I-League fray, all thanks to Gokulam Kerala FC as the Calicut-based outfit are all set to kick-start their campaign against Shillong Lajong FC on November 27, 2017 in Shillong.

Days before the I-league starts, veteran coach Bino George spoke to www.i-league.org at a length where he discussed many a thing including the goal in the first season, Indian players, support base et al. EXCERPTS:

What prompted you to take up the responsibility of a debutante club?

After 2011, Kerala players reduced in big clubs also Indian national team comparing to older times. We want to create great success and bring back the golden era in Kerala with this club. My aim is to make it happen through Gokulam FC. and the financial structure of Gokulam FC is very strong, like plans for new ground and entire facilities.

What’s your primary aim with the club in its first year?

My primary aim would be to finish in the top 4 of Hero I-League and strengthening all age category teams so the team will have a great foundation to grow further.

How well-prepared is your team before the I-League kicks off?

It is a new club, we have scouted some very good foreigners and 4 of them are already here practising with the team. Availability of Good Indian players was a big headache for us but we have still managed to snatch some good players. I can say that we are almost ready for the upcoming season.

What will be your reinforcement plans from now onwards?

We are looking forward to creating a playing style and rhythm with the players we got now. We have already played 2 practice matches and we are looking forward to playing one or two matches before the start of the season.

Gokulam FC caters to a fantastic fanbase. What will be your message to them?

The craze for football is huge in Kerala, and Malappuram is the mecca of that. We are a club based on Malappuram and we have plenty of Supporters. The message to the fans would be that we will be playing a style of play which is a treat to watch and we have given importance to Kerala-based players. One thing to add is that we want the fans to be one of us, be our 12th man.