Real Kashmir

Foundation and early history

The origin of Real Kashmir FC dates to 2014 after devastating floods swept through the region, causing massive loss of life and property. To keep the youth, who had lost much during the floods, engaged, Shamim Meraj, editor of a local newspaper named Kashmir Monitor, and Sandeep Chattoo, a local businessman, came together to arrange footballers.

What began as a community outreach programme garnered support from the local populace, and it soon started evolving into something more. Real Kashmir FC as a club formalised in 2016 and affiliated with Jammu & Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) under the efforts of Chattoo. Founded in 2016, Real Kashmir FC emerged as the first ever top-flight professional football club in Jammu and Kashmir.

Later years

Shortly after its formation, the club participated in their first national competition in September 2016 when they competed in the 2016 Durand Cup. In January 2017, Real Kashmir roped in David Robertson as their new head coach, and in July, it became the first club from Jammu & Kashmir to play on foreign soil by playing 4 matches in Scotland. They appeared in their first major tournament by competing in the 2016–17 I-League 2nd Division, but failed to reach to the final round. They have been participating in all four categories of the AIFF.

In May 2018, Real Kashmir FC earned promotion to the 2018–19 I-League by winning the 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division after defeating Hindustan in the final game of the season by a score of 3–2. On 30 May 2018, Real Kashmir became champions of the I-League 2nd Division. This was only their second season at this level, after the club's inception in 2016, earning promotion to the I-League for the first time ahead of the 2018–19 season. In October 2018, they clinched Jammu & Kashmir Invitational Cup, jointly with Minerva Punjab. On 11 December 2018, they witnessed one of the league's biggest wins, after they beat Shillong Lajong by 6–1. Real Kashmir achieved third place in their debut season.

In August 2018, the Real Kashmir FC youth team travelled to Germany for pre-season training with Borussia Dortmund. The team visited Borussia Dortmund's training facilities during the tour. They participated in 2019 Durand Cup and reached the semi-finals, where they lost 3–1 to Mohun Bagan. On 19 December 2020, Real Kashmir won the 123rd edition of the IFA Shield tournament, defeating George Telegraph at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The title marked the club's first major domestic triumph since its establishment in 2016.

For I-League 2021, they borrowed three players (Danish Bhat, Adnan Ayoub, Farhan Ganie) from J&K Bank Football Club. In the 2020–21 I-League, the club finished their campaign in fifth place (Play-off), accumulating 21 points with 5 wins in 15 matches. As the defending champions of IFA Shield, Real Kashmir began its 2021 edition campaign on 24 November with a 3–0 win over Indian Arrows. They retained their title with a 2–1 win against Sreenidi Deccan on 15 December. The club failed to make an impact in the 2021–22 I-League season and finished on twelfth place. In midway of the 2022–23 season, the club hired Gifton Noel-Williams as new head coach, who succeeded Mehrajuddin Wadoo in February 2023. In 2024, Arshad Shawl acquired the ownership of Real Kashmir. In the 2024–25 I-League, the club finished the season undefeated at home soil.