Westwood extols his team's drive and their evolution in the I-League title win, praises his fans for support and claims a few chapters in Indian football belong to Bengaluru...

Summer time has begun to thrall India in it's grasp, but one particular place will enjoy the sunshine more than others in the country. Bengaluru FC outrifghtly won their second I-League title in three years as they overcame Salgaocar FC at home in a tense 2-0 victory on April 17th, 2016.

The match itself wasn't tense - Bengaluru began swiftly with a goal through Eugeneson Lyngdoh (8') before Seminlen Doungel (87') tied up matters with a late strike. However, anticipation and fervour gripped 11000-odd supporters in the stadium, with them finally seeing their gaffer, Ashley Westwood's efforts pay off throughout the season with a fine championship win.

"We have improved for sure," triumphantly claimed Westwood, beginning on a positive note when quizzed about the evolution his side have undergone throughout his tutelage.

He continued, "We had 14 players signed when I came into this club. We took some on trial and used local players, signed two-to-three foreigners and had a half decent base. But we only used 12-to-13 players in year one. As I said we have 11 under 23s and 10 different scorers and we keep pushing the boundaries up and up.

"We are getting stronger and the lads are hungry for more. We are a miles better team standing today than what we were in three years. We had steady progression and have produced a lot of players who have gone on to play for the Indian national team. I believe that we have raised the levels of Indian football."

Asked if he was concerned with the future of the I-League or the Indian Super League (ISL), the British coach expressed, "No, not really. I don't care what the I-League does or the ISL does. I just go about my job. I am a good coach in my opinion. The record speaks for itself and I don't need anyone singing praises for that, the rest will look after itself."

The title race maybe over, but with just 15 games completed this season, the I-League side from Bengaluru still need to complete the all important season ending trip to Kolkata and face their arch rivals and former title holders Mohun Bagan in the final game of the season.

The gaffer though wants to make the home team submit to the new champions in the capital of Bengal. "We will take a couple of days off and then regroup. We haven't been able to get together just as a squad because the games have come thick and fast. We will have the pleasure of going to Mohun Bagan and them handing over the trophy to us," replied Westwood, on the trip to the City of Joy.

Finally, the Steelmen's vocal support base garnered prasie from a heartened Westwood.

"The fans were magnificent. 11000 fans in the stands sensed the victory and they were pretty vocal. There was a cricket match going down the road and you would have 30000 there which goes on to show that football also can compete and the fans have come out in numbers. They deserve to enjoy this as much as anybody in the club," concluded the Manchester United academy product and former Northampton Town defender.