Jamshedpur FC made their Indian Super League (ISL) debut in the 2017-18 season, and have grown into one of the most respected clubs in the league. With a foundation built on hard work and an emphasis on developing Indian talent, the club's trajectory has been steady. And in the 2021-22 season, arrived their crowning moment as they won the League Shield.

The Men of Steel have built a reputation as a tough, organised side capable of competing with the league’s best. The Furnace has also become a special venue in Indian football for the kind of football culture the city has embraced.

So we have brought together players who have best represented that journey. Some have been part of it long before, while some others arrived and made an instant impact. But all of them helped in shaping Jamshedpur FC’s legacy.

Goalkeeper: Rehenesh TP

Rehenesh TP arrived at Jamshedpur FC with plenty of experience but no major silverware to his name despite previous spells with NorthEast United FC and Kerala Blasters FC. His talent had never been in question. What was missing was consistency. Under Owen Coyle at Jamshedpur FC, that changed.

During the club’s League Shield-winning campaign in 2021-22, Rehenesh was a key figure in a defence that conceded the fewest goals in the league season. He kept six clean sheets which was just one behind Golden Glove winner Prabhsukhan Gill and he produced several match-defining saves, particularly during the crucial run-in. His performances were a big step up from his earlier years and a testament to how he matured at JFC.

While neither he nor the club could replicate that peak in the seasons that followed, Rehenesh’s contribution to Jamshedpur FC’s first-ever piece of ISL silverware remains undeniable.

Subrata Paul, who also played for the club between 2017 to 2020, was also a strong contender for this position. He brought a wealth of experience and made plenty of top-notch saves. But for the sheer impact Rehenesh made during the club’s defining season, it’s hard to look past him for the No. 1 spot.

Right back: Laldinliana Renthlei

Laldinliana Renthlei first made a name for himself at Chennaiyin FC, particularly during the 2019-20 season under Owen Coyle, when the team reached the ISL final. His performances that season earned him plaudits for his work ethic and defensive abilities.

Renthlei reunited with Coyle at JFC and became a key part of the team’s core over the next two seasons. His best football came during the club’s Shield triumph in 2021-22, where he was a constant on the right flank. It was a fitting reward for a player who had come so close to lifting the ISL Cup and found redemption at JFC.

Coyle never hid his admiration for Renthlei and although he left the club in 2023, Renthlei remains one of the best full-backs to have worn Jamshedpur FC colours.

Centre-Back: Pratik Chaudhari

Pratik Choudhari earns his place here for the remarkable strides he made. Chaudhari has made nearly 70 appearances for the Men of Steel, and the club has played a central role in shaping the defender he is today.

His first stint came in 2018-19, when JFC narrowly missed the playoffs with a fifth-place finish. Though opportunities were limited, Chaudhari stepped in when called upon. But it was after his return in 2022 that he truly made the position his own. Anchoring the backline, he brought consistency and composure even during difficult campaigns.

He may not be the most talked-about name when the team performs well, but his value hasn’t gone unnoticed by those within the setup. During the club’s 2024-25 playoff run, head coach Khalid Jamil highlighted the importance of experience and Chaudhari was a prime example of it.

Laldinpuia, another strong Indian centre-back, was in contention for this spot thanks to his reliability. But over multiple seasons, Chaudhari’s consistency (especially through challenging phases) gives him the edge in this all-time XI. He may be underrated by many, but for Jamshedpur FC, he has been a cornerstone.

Centre-Back: Peter Hartley

Foreign centre-backs don’t always find it easy to adapt to the ISL. The pace, climate and demands often catch experienced defenders off guard. But Peter Hartley was different. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch for Jamshedpur FC, he brought a presence that demanded attention.

Despite not being the tallest in his position, Hartley’s reading of the game, vocal command, and fearlessness made him a standout. During the 2020–21 season, Hartley was involved in seven clean sheets, followed by four more in the next campaign as Jamshedpur FC marched to the Shield.

Hartley spent nearly three seasons at the Furnace. Even as the team’s fortunes dipped after their Shield-winning campaign, he was recognised as one of the league’s most intimidating defenders.

In a club that has seen some solid foreign defenders over the years, including Eli Sabia (who partnered Hartley during their Shield-winning campaign) and Tiri (who was among the finest defenders for the club), this spot could easily have gone to either of them. But with only four foreigners allowed in the XI, Hartley edges ahead for the way he led from the front and walked the talk.

Left back: Ricky Lallawmawma

Ricky Lallawmawa’s long journey and the impact he left make him the standout choice as left-back. While he didn’t feature in many games after the 2023-24 campaign, his overall contribution across seasons remains significant, especially during the club’s most successful period.

After a brief spell at ATK FC in 2018-19, Ricky found himself on the fringes the following season, not clocking a single minute of ISL action. But Owen Coyle saw something others didn’t. He signed Ricky and turned him into one of the most dependable defensive full-backs in the league. In JFC’s 2021-22 Shield-winning run, Ricky started almost every game, offering defensive discipline and safety on the left flank.

He wasn’t the full-back who constantly made headlines but he rarely put a foot wrong. While Bikash Jairu’s name might also come up in conversations around Jamshedpur FC’s top left-backs, Ricky’s transformation under Coyle, his consistency during his early seasons and his key role during the club’s peak give him the edge here.

Defensive midfield: Pronay Halder

A seasoned campaigner in the ISL, Pronay Halder has represented several clubs since making his debut in 2015 but his most impactful spell in midfield arguably came at Jamshedpur FC. A Tata Football Academy graduate, Halder returned to familiar ground in 2021 and became an influential figure under Owen Coyle during the club’s League Shield-winning campaign. Despite missing a few matches through injury, his presence whenever available was telling.

Injuries limited his minutes over the next two seasons but his importance to the squad never faded. During the 2024-25 season, he spent most of the campaign outside the starting eleven. Yet, when it mattered most, he rose to the occasion. Entrusted with the role of a centre-back, Halder stepped up in the business end of the season and played a crucial role in steering JFC to the semis – their first since 2022.

Jitendra Singh and Aitor Monroy were also strong contenders for this position, each with their own merits. But for his leadership, versatility, and role in the club’s most successful campaigns, Halder takes his place without question.

Central midfield: Mobashir Rahman

Mobashir Rahman is one of Jamshedpur FC’s most recognisable faces and fittingly so. A local boy who rose through the ranks, he represented the club across four consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2022, and returned once again in 2024.

Across his two stints, Mobashir has made 70 appearances for the Men of Steel – just five short of Seiminlen Doungel’s all-time appearance record for the club. For a player still in his mid-20s, that’s very impressive.

Mobashir has evolved from a promising youngster into a dependable midfield presence. Under Coyle in 2020-21, he grew into a regular starter and though he struggled with fitness in the 2021-22 campaign, he still played a role in the club’s historic Shield win.

When he returned to the Furnace in 2024, the prodigal son played his part under Khalid Jamil as JFC made their way to the playoffs. While many exciting young talents are now emerging from the region, no local player has made a bigger impact than Mobashir. He was the first to break through and remains the benchmark.

Central Midfield: Memo Moura

Brazilian midfielder Memo Moura represented Jamshedpur FC for three seasons from 2017 to 2020 and became synonymous with the city, the people and the club’s fans. He remains one of the most cherished foreign players, not just for Jamshedpur FC but across the league. Memo made over 50 appearances and scored three goals and stood out for his consistency.

A technically sound player with a sharp reading of the game, Memo often served as the link between defence and attack. While he rarely stole the limelight, his steady presence made him a mainstay in the side throughout his tenure.

Mario Arques, another central midfielder who impressed during his stint in 2018-19, was also in contention. But with only one season to his name, he misses out, with Memo getting the nod for his sustained influence over three campaigns.

Right wing: Greg Stewart

Arguably the most gifted player to ever wear the Jamshedpur FC shirt, Greg Stewart lit up the ISL with his brilliance in the 2021-22 season. The Scottish attacker finished the campaign with 11 goals and ten assists, directly contributing to nearly half of JFC’s league goals that campaign.

But beyond the numbers, it was the way he played – the vision, dribbling, set-piece ability and stunning goals which elevated the team. Stewart’s arrival marked a turning point in JFC’s chapter and was instrumental in delivering the club its first major honour.

Striker: Daniel Chima Chukwu

Chukwu’s resurgence at Jamshedpur FC was one of the league’s most compelling stories. After a difficult spell at East Bengal FC, Chima joined JFC mid-season in 2021-22 and immediately fit into Coyle’s system.

Chima’s presence up front gave the team a new dimension and his impact during their Shield-winning run cannot be overstated. He chipped in with seven goals that season and represented the club for two more campaigns before joining Chennaiyin FC in 2023.

Despite his efficiency dipping compared to his debut season, he remains the club’s all-time top goalscorer and is our obvious choice for the No. 9 role.

Left wing: Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary was part of Jamshedpur FC’s inaugural ISL squad and quickly emerged as one of their standout Indian talents. His performances during his early years at the club also earned him a call-up to the Indian national team.

Farukh contributed with crucial goals and assists for the club, while also impressing with his work rate off the ball. He played for the club from 2017 and 2020 and became a fan favourite at the Furnace. Choudhary returned to Jamshedpur in January 2021 for a second spell but a serious injury ruled him out of the following season. That campaign would go on to become the club’s most successful, culminating in a Shield win.

Seiminlen Doungel, the player with the most appearances for Jamshedpur FC, was a strong contender for this spot. However, Farukh edges ahead due to his longer association with the club, his output and the growth he displayed.

Head coach: Owen Coyle

No head coach in Jamshedpur FC’s short history has had a bigger influence than Owen Coyle. When Coyle took charge ahead of the 2020-21 season, the club was in need of direction. Coyle not only got them competing but also instilled belief in a squad that went on to finish sixth in his first season and then stormed to the Shield in his second. His man-management, eye for recruitment and ability to maximise domestic talent made him a transformational figure – one who laid a solid foundation for the club’s future.