The advent of the U.B. Group have ensured financial well being for both the clubs. However, the members and supporters didn’t like the idea of one company buying shares of both the traditional rivals. In reply to an enquiry, FIFA, soccer's supreme governing body, have clearly stated that one company can never be the driving force of two separate clubs. The U.B. Group, led by Vijay Malia, therefor, have to part with one of the clubs in the coming seasons.

With the National league came the lure of bucks. And money paved the way for U.B. Group Desperate to win the National League, the clubs needed huge amounts to rope in foreignores. But there are evidence aplenty that only money can't change the face of Indian soccer. The quality of soccer, despite the advent of the national league has remained as deplorable as it was.

This year's Kalyani Block Label Federations cup saw Mohan Bagan romp home 2-1 against East Bengal in the final, in front of a near capacity Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Amit Das and I al Vijayan scored for Mohan Bagan Charlton Chapman pulled one back for East Bengal.

The Calcutta Football league this year, with Tata Tea being the sponsor, was completely revamped. Ten super division teams played nine games each in the first leg. The first five teams on the basis of the result in the first leg were logged in group one. The rest in group two. Each team in both the groups played against each other. The first two teams in group in qualified for the league championship play-off. The last two teams of group two were relegated from the super division. As expected, Mohan Bagan and East Bengal once locked horns for the championship title. Even a boisterous full house in the Yuba Bharati failed to lift the standard of soccer. In a lacklustre encounter, East Bengal lifted the championship via Raman Vijayan's opportumitic golden goal in the extra-time.

The scene now shifted to Delhi, where Mohan Bagan, to rejuvenete themselves, badly required to win the Durand Cup. But much to the frustration of their supporters, they were knocked-out in the semi-final once again by East Bengal. In the fianl, a complacent East Bengal were stunned to by the lowly ranked Mahindra and Mahindra of Mumbai.

In the 1997 seanson the charismaitc P.K. Banerjee and pugnacion, Amal Dutta, coaches of East Bengal and Mohan Bagan respectively, sort of returned Calcutta football much with their verbal bouts rather than novel techniques. This year P.K. Banerjee was removed from the job whereas Dutta remained Mohan Bagan's coach. Following the Federation cup triumph Amal Dutta was in his useful exbullient self-chattering, volleying verbal bullets. Monoranjan Bhattacrya, coach of East Bengal this year, however, remained cool and compoted, unfazed by Dutta's antics. Mohan Bagan started loosing faith on Amal Dutta as soon as they succmbed to East Bengal in the league play-off battle. It reached a climax as Mohan Bagan stumbled in the Durand cup semi-final. Dutta was promptly shown the door. The gentleman filling the void was none other than P.K. Banerjee what a game of musical chair !

In the I.F.A. shield, the once blue riband of Indian soccer, a disheart end Mohan Bagan reached the final, being motivated by P.K. 's vocal tonic. A smoothly orchestrated East Bengal, dispite being handicapped by footballers doing national duty, also reached the title round. East Bengal outplayed Mohan Bagan in the final, yet squandering many an opportunity they lost 2-1 via goalkeeper Arpan Dey's last minute blunder. Sammy Omollo and Chima Okorie drove home for Bagan. Opoku, the Ghanaian recruit netted on for East Bengal.

Both the giant's didn't travel to Mumbai for the Rovers cup since most of their stare are representing India in the Asian Games. Presently, East Bengal are preparing for the forthcoming National League, resting heavily on the three Ghanain imports Sulei Musa, Jackson and Opokur Mohan Bagan too are sharpeing their skilled with Sammy Omollo, Chima, Basim and Badibo being their foreign stalwarts.