Fortis FC Reserves and Academy

Fortis FC Reserves and Academy are the reserve team and youth system of the Dhaka based Bangladesh Premier League club Fortis FC.[1][2][3] The youth team consists of an under-18 men's team that currently competes in the BFF U18 Football League, the highest level of youth football in Bangladesh organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation. A combination of the youth and reserve team players compete in the country's second-tier professional league, the Bangladesh Championship League, under the name Fortis Football Academy.[4]

Fortis FC Reserves and Academy
Full nameFortis FC Limited Reserves and Academy
Founded2020; 4 years ago (2020)
GroundFortis Sports Ground
OwnerFortis Group
PresidentShahin Hasan
Head CoachAtiqur Rahman Meshu
LeagueBangladesh Championship League
2022–238th of 11
Current season

Facilities

Since its inception in 2020, Fortis FC built an academy which accommodates prospects in three age categories: Under-16, Under- 18 and Under-20. The academy is located at Fortis Ground in Badda, Dhaka.[5]

The Fortis Ground in Badda, Dhaka and the BKSP football ground are the two main training centers/pitches used by the academy and reserves team. The Fortis Ground currently boasts a resort, consisting of a gym and a swimming pool, open to both senior and junior players.[1]

Under-20 and Reserves

History

On July 29, 2022, Fortis FC posted on social media that they will select players from three categories (U-16, 18 & 20) for their academy through open trials. The post with the headlines "ফুটবলার হতে চাও?" (lit.'Want to be a footballer?') got massive responses from all over the country.[1] The first trials in Dhaka, were held for three days straight starting from 5 August 2022. About 6,000 players from all over the country participated at the trials, from which 250 people were initially selected, a number which was further reduced by the selection committee consisting of former Bangladesh national team players Mamunul Islam and Atiqur Rahman Meshu. It was also reported that numerous players who travelled to the capital in order to partake in the trial spent the night at railway stations. The trial's at the M. A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagong later on that month, saw another 160 players from 4,000 participants being selected. After witnessing the success of the countrywide trial, the club president Shahin Hassan expressed his desire to have their Academy and Reserve players take part in the second tier, the Bangladesh Championship League.[2][3]

On 30 November 2022, it was confirmed that the Fortis Football Academy will take part in the 2022–23 Bangladesh Championship League, making Fortis FC only the second top-tier club after Saif Sporting Club (Youth Team) to have their Academy and Reserve team play in a professional football league.[4]

Current squad

As of 10 January 2023.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
15DF  BANShakim Mia
16MF  BANRabid Das
17FW  BANNaky Chandra Das
18DF  BANKamran Ahmed
19DF  BANMd. Kamrul Hasan
20FW  BANMd. Sabbir Hossain Mollah
21MF  BANMd. Foysal
22GK  BANMd. Antor Ali
23MF  BANMd. Ibrahim
24DF  BANImran Ahmed
26DF  BANBijoy Ahammod
27FW  BANMd. Arif Hossain Masud
28MF  BANMd. Moin Uddin
30GK  BANRiaz Ahmed Pial

Competitive record

As of 3 June 2023.
SeasonDivisionLeagueTop league scorer(s)
PWDLGFGAPtsPositionPlayerGoals
2022–23Bangladesh Championship League205781622228th Rahmat Jisan Ullah12

Head coach records

As of 18 April 2023
Head CoachFromToPWDLGFGA%W
Atiqur Rahman Meshu21 September 2022Present205781622025.00

Team management

As of 9 January 2022.
PositionName
Head Coach Atiqur Rahman Meshu
Team Manager Didarul Haque
Team Leader AM Jahangir Alam
Physiotherapist Nujaim Khan Pranto
Equipment Manager Abdul Mannan Shamim
Media Officer Mohammed Ainul Islam
Security Officer Juwel Ahmed
Masseur Md. Akbar

Youth and academy

Under-16

In November 2022, Fortis FC Under-16 team took part in the inaugural edition of the BFF U-16 Football Tournament.[6] They were knocked out of the semi-final of the tournament by Wari Club U-16.

Competitive record

SeasonTournamentResultTop scorer(s)Goals
2021–22BFF U-16 Football TournamentSemi-finalsAbu Bokkor Siddik6

Team management

As of 3 June 2023.
PositionName
Head Coach Atiqur Rahman Meshu
Team Manager Didarul Haque

Head coach records

As of 21 September 2022
Head CoachFromToPWDLGFGA%W
Atiqur Rahman Meshu21 September 2022Present6321266050.00

References