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Have you ever had craved for a football club in your city to root for? Ever had wanted to be a part of a new football revolution in India? Ever had wanted to root for the club in the stands cheering your throats out passionately? Ever had thought of being in a football club that made you feel special?
Well, all these were brought to life for Bangaloreans on 20th, July, 2013, when Bengaluru FC was founded by JSW Group. Bangalore, filled with passionate lovers of the game, always missed a home I-league club to cheer for. From little kids to old uncles, everyone in Bangalore wanted to cheer for a hometown club and this new club lit up for the passion of the football fans in Bangalore.
Parth Jindal, the CEO of Bengaluru FC had a vision – to bring about a football revolution in India, and Bengaluru FC made it all possible.
The club made headlines with the signing of Sunil Chhetri
The idea and vision started taking shape when it was announced that former Manchester United youth player and former Blackburn Rovers manager, Ashley Westwood was to be the first manager of the club. They wasted no time to acquire marquee signings like former Premier League player John Johnson and League two defender Curtis Osano. But, the eye catcher was when the club managed to sign the Indian National Football captain and former Major League Soccer player Sunil Chhetri.
Chhetri is a man who has roamed all around the world by virtue of his talent and he went on to become the fan favorite at his new club. Westwood was to be assisted by Pradyum Reddy and he also added some illustrious names to the backroom staff to help him manage Bengaluru FC. The managerial team was backed by the board, which went onto fund for European-style infrastructure, facilities and training system, which clearly were to make a difference in the way football was going to be played in India.
The team was complete when Pradyum Reddy listed the final group of players – players who had potential but never made it to the big stage – bought by the club to play alongside the likes of the above mentioned star players.
Westwood came out with the philosophy to build a team for the long term. He did wonders with the players who had been deemed not good enough to play for the other clubs. While this was happening, they made sure that they built a team for the fans. Bangaloreans being passionate about football, an average number of 8000 plus quality crowd attended every match. The journey started when they played their first ever competitive match against Mohun Bagan, which they drew 1-1.
The fans played their part
The club made sure the club was always about the fans, they had something to offer always. Bringing in many activities in the stadium around the players and the staff, which made every fan feel special. BFC day out, the football tournaments held by them, were something every fan cherished. The fans always showed their love in stadium, the players love their fans as much as the fans love the players. This particular set of fans who made the loudest noise were from The West Block A as they made a name for themselves around the country with their innovative chants.
Being a part of that stand is a dream come true for every football fan who always wanted to chant for their home town club. Chants like “Who needs Batman, We got Robin”, “Oh when the blues go marching in..”, “He scores when he wants, he scores when he wants, Sunil Chettri, he scores when wants” were something the fans loved to sing and the players loved to hear.
After a feeble start, where majority of the pundits had labelled Bengaluru to be relegation contenders, the team started dominating the league. The team always gave something to cheer for and the fans did that part. They were never scared to bring down their opponents with ‘boos’ and spontaneous intimidating chants, which made the Bangalore Football Stadium a difficult place to visit to for all the teams.
Bengaluru FC created history by winning the I-League
Meanwhile, the team had its ups and downs, but managed to play beautiful football and stay on top. At the end of March, Bengaluru FC were to face Pune FC in their last home game of the season. Record number of fans attended the last home game and helped them draw 1-1 to perch themselves on the top of the table. The fans got to witness their team players holding out a banner for the fans appreciating them – “Thank you! #Bestfansever #12th man”.
The away team was full of praise for the club’s way of working and the fans. The team had to play the next two matches on the road, away to Mohun Bagan and later in Goa. They were a few steps away from creating history – to become the first ever club to win the I-League in its first season. They made that possible after defeating Dempo FC 4–2 in a thrilling encounter to claim the I-League and also the club’s first trophy.
The fans who travelled to Goa got to enjoy this historic moment with the team and they marched the streets shouting the club’s name proudly. Their last match against Sporting was just a formality as they had already clinched the league, but they finished the season in style through a last minute goal by Beikokhei Beingaichho’s heade. To make it even special Sunil Chettri was awarded the top scorer of the I-League with 14 goals to his name. History was made, the trophy was lifted, hearts were touched. A revolution was made. What started as a dream had turned into reality, the team and fans both played their part in that.
Bengaluru FC is a club for the people
To thank the fans and celebrate the trophy in our own city, the club organised a Trophy Parade around the stadium, which the fans attended in numbers, marching and screaming in the busy roads, dressed in blue, waving flags and chanting. This was a rare sight in India, but Bengaluru FC made it possible for the Indians to celebrate a team’s victory in the same way we see fans of European clubs do.
The club was always about the fans, the club made sure the team was built around the fans and it all went well. The club still organizes tournaments to bring the best out of the youth in the city and the next seasons jerseys were launched, worn and seen by a few select fans before even the players got to see them. This was the love shown by the club. (Fortunately, I got to go to the launch and be a part of this innovation after a successful season).
The staff holds meetings with fans to make the matchday experience a better one for the supporters. The club is for the fans and by the fans. Something which we hadn’t seen in India and our hometown club, Bengaluru FC revolutionized it.
