Brothers Union (BU) were once a golden name in Bangladeshi football. This historic team rivalled Abahani and Mohammedan for the league title in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Gopibagh outfit thrived both on and off the pitch for many years, their heritage reflected in their strong performances.
However, those days are a distant memory. They've not only fallen out of the title race, but have also twice been relegated from the top league in just three years. This decline is a bitter pill to swallow for the club's former players, who witnessed Brothers Union in their prime.
"When we played," said Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu, a star from Brothers Union's golden era, "our aim was to be champions. But now, decent footballers aren't even seen in the league. It's very hard for us [former players] to see the team in such a poor state. If those in charge had paid more attention, perhaps this situation could have been avoided."
Brothers Union's first relegation from the top flight came in 2021, after an incredible 46 years of continuous presence. They secured promotion back to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) two years later, but their return was short-lived. Their fate was sealed last Sunday after a 3-2 defeat to Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra at the Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi, confirming their position at the bottom of the 10-team table.
The season was a disaster. Brothers Union managed only one win in 17 matches, becoming a mere target for the top teams to boost their goal difference. Mohammedan Sporting Club thrashed them 8-0, while reigning champions Bashundhara Kings and Abahani secured comfortable 7-1 victories against the Gopibagh outfit.
What's behind this dramatic downfall? BU manager Amer Khan offers a candid explanation: "To be honest, the team wasn't built with the ambition of achieving much more. Our expectations weren't high."
"I knew something like this might happen," Khan continued. "We need sponsors to build a strong team, and we couldn't secure them. While Bashundhara Kings did offer some support, it wasn't enough to fully address the problem."
Financial difficulties plague the club, with player salaries allegedly still unpaid. This obviously impacts team morale. As one anonymous player remarked, "The money is still owed. If you're not getting paid properly, you can't focus on your game."
Manager Khan acknowledges the issue: "There's a question of supply and demand between players and the club.
It's a matter between them. If the players aren't receiving their dues, they can lodge a complaint with the federation."
Brothers Union's future seems uncertain. Can they rediscover their former glory, or will they continue to languish in the lower leagues? Only time will tell.
