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Ever since the inception of the ISL back in 2014, the Kerala Blasters have caught the eye of many onlookers due to their antics both on and off the pitch. The ISL franchise, owned by Sachin Tendulkar, step out to play at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi with the backing of the ever present ‘Manjappada’ (Yellow army), who turn out in large numbers to cheer for their side in their own backyard.
Over the years, the Blasters’ faithful have been widely regarded as the best set of fans in the country and in this segment, we take a look at 5 instances where the ‘Manjappada’ stood out from the rest of the pack in a unique manner:
#5 The flash wave from Kochi
The atmosphere generated during the matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium makes it one of the toughest places for a visiting team to stay focused as pointed out by the players and managers who have experienced it in the past.
The home fans turn up in huge numbers while donning the traditional yellow attire of the club and help add to the intimidating aura generated throughout every single corner of the stadium.
However, an interesting gesture from the home fans during the games in Kochi is the ‘flash wave’ that they pull out with such co-ordination and elegance. The intensity generated by the thousands under that same roof during this particular gesture is second to none and it clearly shows the unity of the club’s infamous 12th man!
#4 The special love for their ex-players
Since the beginning of the tournament, the ISL squads have seen a lot of chopping and changing over the years in terms of players as well as managers or back-room staff moving their way around different franchises.
The Kerala Blasters are no exception in the same and none of the 10 foreign players who featured for the side in the 2016 edition of the tournament was retained for the current season (2017/18). This has been the story for quite some-time now but despite all that the fans in Kochi always find ways to make their ex-players feel good about coming back to the stadium.
If there are any doubts surrounding the same, just ask Iain Hume who received a standing ovation when he returned to Kochi with ATK or Josu, another player dropped by the Blasters for their current season, who is still considered a fan favourite in Kerala if we are to read between the lines of countless banners and placards on display during their games this year.
#3 The record attendance speaks for itself
Ever since news started spreading about Kerala’s entry into the ISL, the fans were in ecstatic mood of having a side from their home-land plying it’s trade in the national footballing circuit. Kerala’s long wait for a team in the nation’s premier club competition came to life in front of more than 60,000 fans who turned up to cheer for the Blasters during their first home game.
The numbers have not dipped ever since and Kerala still hold the record for the highest average attendance in the ISL despite the stadium shortening its capacity to around 40,000 due to the regulations made by FIFA for the recently concluded U-17 World Cup.
Earlier this year, Kerala Blasters also became the first ISL franchise to reach 1 million followers on Twitter to further underline their strong presence online as well.
#2 Manjappada cleaning the stands after a game
If there was any way of outdoing themselves, then this gesture from the members of the Manjappada fans club was the ideal one. After the club’s third consecutive draw against Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the fans rightfully earned the plaudits from everyone after volunteering to clean the stadium.
The members of the fan club, who came to the stadium with plastic gloves and bags to store the garbage in, stayed back after the game to clean the stands filled with empty bottles and other garbage left behind by their peers.
Truly a one of a kind initiative taken up by the fans that adds to the glittering reputation of the Manjappada.
#1 Zidane masks that welcomed Marco Materazzi
The derby game between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC in the 2016 edition of the ISL played host to a very iconic sight at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. On the wake of the clash between the Kerala players and Chennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi in the reverse fixture, the fans of the home side opted to wear printed masks of Zinedine Zidane in a dig aimed at the former World Cup winner.
At the end of the final whistle, it was the Kerala fans who had the last laugh as they completed a comeback from 1-0 down and secured all three points on the night courtesy of goals from Boris Kadio and local boy CK Vineeth, who grabbed a brace towards the dying moments of the game.
However, the spotlight still remained on the 35,000 fans who printed out the masks in a successful attempt to irk the opposition manager who commented after the game that he would rather spend that much money on food.
