The club, which represents eight states, is an anomaly in the cricket-loving nation, according to Papas.

“I know cricket is still the number one sport in most of India, but it’s not in the northeast of the country,” the former AIS, A-League assistant, and Victorian NPL coach told ftbl.com.au from India.

“They are fanatical about their football. And this year we’ve managed to get the state behind us,” said Papas, United's assistant coach.

“It’s a very difficult job here in the north east of India. They are the only club never to qualify for ISL playoffs.

 “But it's gone well so far, we amassed the same points after five games than we did in 18 last season.

“And we’ve got some really good foreigners. We have a Uruguayan playmaker Federico Gallego and a Nigerian striker called Bart Ogbeche. These two guys right now are the form players in the league.

"The squad is a really good mix of young Indian players and foreign players.”

Crowds of 15-20,000 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium are proof the locals are finally getting excited about the Highlanders after a lean five years in the ISL.

With just one loss in their last five, United's next game after the international break is November 23 against Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi.

Sitting in fifth, a win could potentially propel United into second in the 10-team competition.

One of the owners of the club is John Abraham [the actor and former model]. He’s a huge star in India but also provides grounded leadership for a club desperate to make the playoffs.

"He’s a fantastic person, down to earth and humble even though he’s a star, with people always trying to get his autograph. He’s such a gentleman," said Papas.

“We’re looked after extremely well here. The pitches are very good, the training is good and we’re looked after off the pitch.”

With head coach Dutchman Eelco Schattorie and fellow Aussie assistant coach Shaun Ontong, a former A-League player, Papas is relishing another opportunity to work with both coaches on foreign soil.

With the AFC-experienced Schattorie, Papas helped Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq avoid relegation last year.

“It’s about evolving as a coach and working with people you enjoy working with. I have a great working relationship with Eelco [Schattorie] and have a similar coaching philosophy.

“And Shaun is one of the brightest young coaches from Australia coming through,” added Papas, who also consults for clubs in Japan.

The ISL is giving Papas vital experience given the dearth of professional opportunities in Australia.

It’s the first time Papas has been back in India in three years. He made his name on the sub-continent as coach of the national U23 side after coaching at the AIS, NPL and A-League as an assistant coach at Heart and the Jets.

And now he's seeing many of the players he coached now debuting in the five-year-old ISL.

“This ISL has improved a lot from when I was first here. The foreign players are a lot better now. It’s not just about marquees anymore. It’s a longer league too, going now for eight months.”

The Australian presence is growing in the ISL with NorthEast’s Aussie coaches, plus Tim Cahill, Erik Paartalu on the pitch and even legendary Aussie commentator Andy Paschalidis calling games shown in Australia.

Papas added: “Having Timmy [Cahill] here, the Indian players really look up to him. He’s adapted well to this league. But that’s expected.

"He’s done that everywhere he’s gone, hasn’t he?"