Calcutta: Out of the record seven successive CFL titles East Bengal have won so far, four of them came with Trevor James Morgan as the coach.

Though he wasn't there at the Kalyani Stadium on Thursday when East Bengal created the record, Morgan was the man at the helm in East Bengal's first seven matches.

For Morgan, the seventh title has been the most difficult one for East Bengal. "I would say this one has been the toughest for us. In the previous three leagues that the team won under me, the CFL was a lead up to the Federation Cup and I-League, so we had our entire squad for the season fit and ready to go.

"I also feel no one gives the opposition any credit, but many of the local teams made good signings this year, both local and foreign. We've had to go through seven tough fixtures," Morgan told The Telegraph from Perth on Friday.

The head coach added that he would rejoin the squad in late December or early January, "depending on when the I-League begins."

Mehtab Hussain and Gurwinder Singh are the only two players that have been part of East Bengal's all seven straight CFL titles since the 2010-11 season. "Mehtab and Gurwinder have been invaluable members of our squad and know that they have to continue maintaining a high standard and set the right example for the younger players we have," Morgan said.

On his part, Mehtab said the team must now concentrate on taking this good form into the I-League. "See, records are meant to be broken. So, we won't be surprised at all if we go on to see some other team breaking our record.

"But the focus should now shift to the I-League. Almost every year we have been falling short of the championship by just a few points. We need to ensure the same doesn't happen again this season," Mehtab said at the club's flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday.

Even young Lalrindika Ralte, playing for East Bengal for the last five seasons, has established himself as one of the vital cogs of the side.

"At some point in time, we can tell our grandchildren about this record. But I must say we need to move on now. As for me, I have to prove myself in the ISL and help East Bengal in winning the I-League. By doing so, I can regain an India berth too," Ralte emphasised.