Having played behind closed doors for two years due to the pandemic, Indian Super League (ISL) has welcomed fans back to the stadium this season. The reception for teams across the country at various homegrounds has been loud and passionate, embodying the spirit of the league.
One of the contingents who had missed out on the stadium experience over the last two years were West Block Blues, the Bengaluru FC fan club. While the team is enduring one of their poorest starts picking up only one point from last four games after the opening win against NorthEast United, their passionate supporters are not giving up.
“Coming back after two years was special and a festive atmosphere engulfed the stadium as we won that game (vs NEUFC),” said Rakesh Haridas, a member of West Block Blues. “It is everything. Ask any football fan and they will give you the same answer – it is everything to see your team play live. That’s what we live for. It is incomparable. No matter what happens this season, we’re happy to be back in the stands and supporting our team. The rest is secondary, and it doesn’t matter.”
West Block Blues members are among the most vociferous fans in the country who have turned out in numbers during both of BFC’s home games so far this season. In the latest game, against East Bengal, Bengaluru fell to their third straight defeat of the season and only their fifth ever at home. The supporters in the stadium didn’t quieten down till the final whistle, which has long been a feature of ISL. After the match, Sunil Chhetri tweeted an apology to the fans and asked them to keep the faith. The fans, however, are showing no signs of losing it.
“No matter what happens, whether we win or lose, we stand with our team. That is the West Block Blues’ philosophy. It is just to be loud for 90 minutes without worrying about what is happening,” said Haridas. “We have always told him (Chhetri) and the team that our support for them is absolute. That does not change. It was a frustrating loss last time around, but it is what it is. It could have gone either way.”
To bring more passionate supporters to the stadiums, ISL has introduced a weekend-centric format this season and Haridas said it has helped to keep the stands full during this season.
“The weekend games are always better. It doesn’t clash with other leagues and family time. We are encouraging people to have family time at the stadium. Once you show anyone live football, there’s no going back. Everyone who has come to the stadium knows this,” Haridas said.
“The football craze exists in all cities and the weekend fixtures will help the fan base grow in all these cities. No team wants to play in an empty stadium. As long as the stadiums are full, everyone will be happy,” he added.
Former champions Bengaluru are currently ninth on the table, with four points from five games. The Blues play Mumbai City in an away game on Thursday and a group of supporters are expected to travel to witness the action at Mumbai Football Arena.
