A group of diehard East Bengal fans in the United States is floating a fund to help their club financially.
The 'Non-Resident East Bengal Supporters' Club' in Cleveland will invite membership from East Bengal supporters across North America and endeavour to extend regular financial support to the red-and-gold brigade.
Indian football clubs, particularly East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, are perennially in need of funds and often unable to pay their footballers on time.
Amit Saha, the brain behind NREBSC, has already contacted East Bengal club officials and informed them about the new venture.
"Their main aim now is to gather East Bengal supporters in the US and eventually make it a big support group of the club," says East Bengal official Swapan Bal.
NREBSC plans to raise money, first from membership, and then from corporate donations.
"The effort has just begun. Let's wait and see what turns out finally," says Bal.
For NREBSC members, East Bengal's victory at the ASEAN Cup was a moment of pride. "The win made us proud in this foreign land. We will do all we can to help our side do better," Saha was quoted as saying.
Defending National Football League champions East Bengal is to play in the AFC Cup soon, and club officials are hoping NREBSC could pitch in with some money for the tourney.
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