Quietly making its way from Ambedkar Chowk near the High Court to Nathalal Parekh Road, lies the historic Cooperage Ground, a name that carries echoes of the city’s colonial past.
The origin goes back to the 19th century, when the British established a cooperage, a factory dedicated to repairing and storing wooden barrels used for shipping and trade.
Leisure Grounds in Early Mumbai
The stadium was created on leisure grounds between four historical districts of Mumbai, initially equipped with modest wooden stands.
The open expanse near this workshop gradually turned into a parade and recreation space, frequented by soldiers and civilians alike.
Over time, this utilitarian ground transformed into a sporting arena. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it had become synonymous with football, especially under the patronage of the Bombay Football Association.
Clubs from across the city, and visiting regimental teams, battled here, turning Cooperage into the cradle of Indian football in western India.
A Legacy of Football and Culture
Even today, the ground is remembered less for its industrial origins and more for its role in sporting history.
For over a century, Cooperage Ground has witnessed local derbies, national tournaments, and international matches, its name standing as a reminder of how colonial infrastructure often evolved into cultural and communal spaces in the life of the city.
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