Founded in 1946 as Wahingdoh Sports Club,[17][18] the club based in Shillong[19] won numerous titles. However, with changing times and professionalisation, the amateur club began to face some difficulty competing with younger clubs and it was then, that the decline began.
In 2007, Wahingdoh Sports Club was almost relegated to the 2nd Division League and as a result of inconsistent performance, the Wahingdoh community felt the need for a younger and more innovative approach.[20] In 2008, the club turned professional when it merged with Royal Football Club before being renamed Royal Wahingdoh FC under the leadership of the club's owner Dominic Sutnga Tariang.[21] With the club witnessing several dramatic changes, a new chapter was in the making and in the very same year, the club bounced back to claim third spot in the 2nd Division Regional League, a sign that brought hope for a brighter future.[22] In the First Division 2009 season, they created a record by winning all their games besides scoring 52 goals en route to lifting the title and along with it, an entry into the top tier of Meghalaya football, the Shillong Premier League.[22]
2010–2015
Royal Wahingdoh FC was Shillong's one of the two most popular clubs. In the 2010 season, they lifted the Shillong Premier League – in their debut season.[23] In 2011, Carlton Chapman was appointed as new head coach, and they lifted the trophy in 2011 and 2012.[24] In 2011, the club signed Liberian international Bekay Bewar who helped the side gaining promotion to the I-League, and was retained by the Shillong based side for there season.[25][26] The same year, they lifted Bordoloi Trophy.[27]
Santosh Kashyap managed Wahingdoh in their debut season of the I-League
Royal Wahingdoh players (in medallion yellow) during an I-League match against Sporting Clube de Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa, April 2015.
Santosh Kashyap was appointed the head coach for newly promoted Royal Wahingdoh before the start of the 2014–15 I-League.[38] They signed Trinidad and Tobago international Densill Theobald as marquee player, who represented his nation at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[39] The club also appeared in the 2014–15 Federation Cup and defeated Mumbai 2–1 in the tournament opener.[40] They lost 2–1, narrowly, to Sporting Goa on 4 January 2015. Royal Wahingdoh began their regular league season on 18 January in a match against Shillong Lajong, which was the first ever Shillong Derby in the I-league, in their 2–1 win, before facing Salgaocar next.[41] They later drew 1–1 with Kalyani Bharat on 21 March 2015.[42] they later defeated Pune in a 2–0 win in Shillong on 29 March 2015.[43] The club then also defeated East Bengal on 31 March 2015, by 1–0.[44] On 3 May, club's striker Jackichand Singh assisted teammate Satiyasen Singh thrice the hat-trick against Salgaocar in their 4–2 win.[45] At the end of the 2014–15 season, Jackichand Singh was awarded best player of the season award.[46] Under his coaching, Royal Wahingdoh stun eventual champions Mohun Bagan by 3–2 margin,[47] and ended the season in third position with 30 points in 20 league matches.[48][49][50]
Disfunction
After finishing third in the top tier domestic league, Royal Wahingdoh pulled out of I-League and Santosh Kashyap left the club.[51][52][53] Though the club was granted a national license to compete in 2015–16 I-League, they decided to pull out, citing lack of a clear roadmap for the league as the reason.[54]
For Wahingdoh, which operated on a budget of ₹ 6–7 crore in their only I-League season, it was about making a tough choice. Instead of pumping in more money for playing in a league where they got no recognition and no visibility, they chose to put the same money into building infrastructure and scouting for more talent.[55]
In 2011, it was announced that Royal Wahingdoh FC would join the newly re-done I-League 2nd Division. The club appointed UEFA Pro Licence holder German manager Volker Hofferbert as their head coach,[65] while Carlton Chapman and newly appointed coach from Manipur, Nandakumar Singh have been assigned the roles of assistant coaches.[66][67][68] They won their opening match 3–1. They won their second match against Chandini FC 3–0. They won the third match 2–1 and fourth match 3–1 against Vasco.[69] They won their fifth match in row against Eagles FC 3–2. Currently they have the longest winning streak in 2011 I-League 2nd Division. They won all their matches in Group C and qualified to 2011 I-League 2nd Division final round.[22] Royal started their final round in by losing two and drawing one out of the 3 games played. After six rounds in final round, they won one match and lost 3 of them and are in 5th position with 5 points.[22]
Royal Wahingdoh have also entered into the 2011 Federation Cup,[70][71] topping the group during the qualifying round with wins in all their matches and faced Mohan Bagan in their first match. RWFC beat Mohun Bagan 2–1 courtesy a brace from Chenco. This was followed by a 2–1 win over Churchill Brothers FC.[6] However, the Royals lost to local rivals Shillong Lajong FC in the final group match and though both Shillong teams ended up with 6 points, it was Lajong that progressed on the head-to-head rule.
2012 season
Royal Wahingdoh qualified for the final round of the 2012 I-league 2nd Division. During the preliminary phase, they won 5 matches and drew 2 of their games. In the final round, the team fielded four foreigners against ONGC F.C. which the club claimed was an 'honest' blunder. According to AIFF rules, no side can field more than three foreigners at a time. They won the match 4–1, but the game was eventually awarded 3–0 to ONGC.[72]
The 'Royals', as they are fondly referred to by fans, secured their third successive Shillong Premier League title, which is a new record. The final was won 3–1 against Rangdajied United who fielded their first side including Babatunde, Jeribe, Enyinnaya and Argha. In the match, the scores were locked at 1–1 after regulation time with Beekay being RWFC's lone goal scorer. Babatunde headed in an equaliser in the second half to put his side in contention. However, it was the extra time goals by Chencho and Milancy that did it for the 'Royals' and in the process, hand them their third successive finals win.[73]
Though the club was granted national license to compete in 2015–16 I-League, they decided to pull out, citing lack of clear roadmap for the league as the reason. The club had earlier failed to comply with AFC licensing criteria as their home stadium did not adhere to the credentials.[77][78][79] The club continues to participate in other tournaments; State League and the AIFF organised youth league tournaments (U-15 & U-18 leagues).[80]
Former players
For all former notable players of Royal Wahingdoh with Wikipedia articles, see: Royal Wahingdoh FC players.
Undefeated league campaign in the Shillong First Division League – 2009; set a record by winning all their games besides scoring 52 goals to lift the title.[22]
Royal Wahingdoh operated several youth teams, which competed in U15 and U17 Youth I-League tournaments.[111][112][113][114] They also participated and won the title of Meghalaya U-14 Championship under guidance of head of youth development, Bobby Nongbet,[115] in which Rheadolf Nongneng emerged as top scorer with 16 goals.[111][116] In the 2016–17 season of Nike Premier Cup, Royal Wahingdoh finished as runners up, losing to Minerva Punjab.[117]
In 2014, youth team (under-17) of Royal Wahingdoh toured to South Africa to participate in the sixth edition of Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament in Soweto, in which they were placed in group D with English club Sunderland and local team Mamelodi Sundowns.[118][119][120] U19 team of the club competed in U19 Shillong Premier League.[121][122]
In 2014, the club launched its women's football section.[123][124] On 17 August 2015, they clinched Independence Day Cup title, beating Sanbhalang FC 8–1 in the final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was organized by Meghalaya Football Players' Association.[125] In 2016, the team coached by Iaikyntiew Marbaniang, took part in preliminary round of the Indian Women's League held in Cuttack, Odisha.[126][127] Thus the club became first and only team from Meghalaya to feature in the IWL; they later received invitation from Shillong Sports Association to play in the inaugural state women's football league in the East Khasi Hills.[128][129]
^Bhutani, Rahul (10 May 2015). "Aizawl FC Champions". thehardtackle.com. The Hard Tackle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
^W. Lyngdoh, Andrew (23 June 2012). "German coach for Wahingdoh". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata: The Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
^"Royal flush for Wahingdoh". theshillongtimes.com. Shillong: The Shillong Times. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
_during_an_I-League_match_against_Sporting_Clube_de_Goa_at_the_Fatorda_Stadium_in_Margao,_Goa,_April_2015.jpg)
