The Unstoppable Tide: Waves FC’s Historic Rise in Mumbai Football

by FC November 5, 2025

The shores of Madh Island have been home to a deep-rooted football culture and a new chapter is written in the Mumbai Football by a team that represents more than just a club: Waves FC.

Hailing from Madh Island, a region with a deep-rooted football culture dating back to 1961, Waves FC was founded in 2020 with a powerful mission—to unite the island’s vast talent pool and give it a sole representative in the competitive Mumbai football scene.

In a remarkable feat of club football, Waves FC has achieved an unprecedented five consecutive promotions, rocketing from the 5th tier to the very top of Mumbai football. This incredible journey is a about the passion for the game of a team primarily composed of players from Madh Island itself.

The club’s rise has been swift and stunning:

MFA 3rd Division: Secured promotion with a 3rd place finish.
MFA 2nd Division: Crowned champions.
MFA 1st Division: Achieved yet another promotion.
Mumbai Super League: Finished as runners-up, Promoted to the Elite Tier.

This rapid ascent is one of the most successful narratives in the history of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) leagues.

The backbone of this inspiring project is its founding leadership. The club was established by co-founders and owners, Chandal Koli and Murgesh Nadar.

Their vision was translated into success on the pitch by Head Coach Santosh Koli, a former Santosh Trophy player who holds an AFC B-License. Under his guidance, the team not only won matches but also captured the spirit of the community they represent.

Waves FC is not stopping here. The club’s ambitious goal for the next 5-10 years is twofold: to win the Mumbai Premier League championship and earn promotion to the national stage of the I-League.

Crucially, the club is committed to nurturing homegrown talent, striving to create potential football players who can represent both the state and the nation, thereby giving back to the community that fuels their success.

This exceptional journey has been recognized and documented by Football Counter. The first part of their documentary, detailing the football culture of Madh Island and the founding of Waves FC, has been officially published. You can find this inspiring story on the Football Counter YouTube channel.

For the full documentary click here

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