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Sports is nothing without the support of fans who encourage and motivate the players throughout the game. Football is no different as a major part of the team's success massively relies on the fans' involvement.
This season, the standout club in the I-League, or even Indian football, has been Chennai City FC. They have taken the league by storm and owe part of the success to their fan Army in Coimbatore, the Roaring Lions Fan Club.
Roaring Lions is the official fan club of Chennai City FC and their continued support has brought the best out of the footballers of Chennai.
Sportskeeda caught up with Selva and Kamalesh, one of the founding members of the Roaring Lions Fan Club for an exclusive interview. Here are some of the excerpts:
What inspired you guys to start a fan club?
Selva: We support Indian football and last season, Chennai City FC, an I-League team shifted its base to Coimbatore. We had come to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (in Coimbatore) last season and wanted to streamline the support that the team got. That's the main reason which made us start a fan club.
Kamalesh: As individuals, we got together and thought of backing up our team from the stands as a fan club. Then, we got in good numbers in the later matches and have been ardent supporters of Chennai City FC since then.
Why was it for Chennai City FC when they didn't have the best of times last season?
Kamalesh: Chennai City FC shifting base to Coimbatore was one of the reasons (because Coimbatore doesn't have any other club in the top division). But mostly because Chennai City FC gives a lot of importance to players from Tamil Nadu.
You can think about some of the stars they have contributed like Nandhakumar S (Delhi Dynamos), Michael Soosairaj (Jamshedpur FC) and Sinivasan Pandiyan (currently with Chennai City). A team which gives importance to players from our state is definitely our team and we should support that team in all circumstances.
Why are you called the Roaring Lions?
Selva: There is a big reason behind the name Roaring Lions. As a football fan, you should be loud and be vocal about cheering for your team. That is one of the main things you do as a spectator from the stands.
The word 'roar' is taken from our motto 'to roar' for our boys. We then chose the word 'lions' because according to us, our Tamil Nadu players are like Lions. For us, we roar louder than a lion for CCFC player. That's the reason we're called the Roaring Lions Fan Club and we roar for our boys everywhere.
It is believed that fans play a major role in helping a team get its victory. How much of this is true?
Kamalesh: Yes, fans play a part in backing the players up with chants, voices and actions from the stands. As players, they give their 100% in the field and play. When they are a goal down or even if they are leading, the support of the fans plays a huge role in encouraging them to give more on the pitch.
It's not enough if you simply watch the game from the stands, at least for football. As far as we are concerned, we should play a huge role in backing up the players regardless of how the team is performing.
Selva: Encouragement is the only thing in this world which makes you want to achieve more and more. We follow the quote, "One Life, One Club, One Love."
You have been the backbone of Chennai City FC's success. What are your hopes for this season?
Kamalesh: We plan to encourage the team further until the job is done. It pushes you to achieve more and gives the energy to put your 100% effort.
That is what we are doing during our home matches as well as our away games. However, it must be understood that the players are the real reason behind CCFC's success. We are really happy with our boys' transformation from last season to this season.
Selva: We want our boys to show their talents in this platform, and at present, our boys' performances are raising our hopes as we are inching towards the first ever I-League title this year. We hope our players will make our dreams come true this year.
This fan club, however, has to be funded by you. Does it get difficult?
Selva: Every fan club in the world initially starts off this way. A growing fan club, in its initial stages like us, has to really face a financial struggle. But at the same time, we are trying to share the costs among the members. Some people who can afford it bear the expenses for the banners, tifos etc.
We are trying different paintings, banners, flags, tifos and other activities during the matches. We love this beautiful game, the club and the players. So the expenses involved are secondary and not a problem for us. Together, we are stronger.
How did the fan club start to get members?
Kamalesh: We began our fan club by being vocal in the stands and showed our love for the club with big banners. The numbers were less initially but after every match, spectators started joining the Roaring Lions for its organised chants, tifos and other inside and outside the stadium.
We are the first fan club of CCFC and have made a special logo for our Roaring Lions Fan club which has a lion roaring. Then, we designed a jersey for our members. Then, we also made exclusive scarfs for Chennai City FC and Roaring Lions. This shows the love we have for our club and players. We are not just fans, but a family. Our big moment came when we officially launched the logo, jerseys and scarfs with the team owner (Rohit Ramesh) and the players.
We are also part of the Blue Pilgrims, the fan club of the Indian football team. The Blue Pilgrims travelled to UAE for the AFC Asian Cup in January and it was a proud moment for the Roaring Lions because our scarfs reached UAE too.
What are the challenges and difficulties you face as a fan club?
Selva: Every fan club in the world has financial problems. We have plans of doing different activities for every match but the situations and circumstances do not permit them.
Apart from this, all the hard work done by the group may sometimes be claimed by an individual or a different set of people. We have faced that situation too and have suffered because of that kind of bitter incidents. But we are managing and giving our 100% support to our beloved club and its players.
You have been a great motivator. What are the stories behind the chants?
Kamalesh: Our chant leaders are preparing the chants carefully and they practice these before the match. This is the only reason that our chants are louder like a roaring lion and it can be heard from any part of the stadium during the matches. The chants give motivation to all the players until the final whistle. We have special chants for the team and for individual players also. Every chant has a story behind it.
Some of the chants go like Maestro Manzi, The Wall Eslava, Sharper Sandro, Saving God Garcia, Legend Regin, Kadaikutty Singam Ajith, Namma Neymar Romario, etc.,
Next slide: Roaring Lions' message to club management
What would you like to say to the CCFC management?
Selva: First, we thank the management for choosing Coimbatore as their home ground. They have chosen a place which has the most knowledgeable and loyal fan base in Tamil Nadu, other than Chennai. This is the second year and the numbers will increase soon.
We want to thank them for giving the local players a chance and recognising their talents. Chennai is the only National league Club from south India handing more opportunities for local players. We want this to continue for years to come. We are a family and we will support our CCFC family in all situations. We want to thank all the players, coaching staff, Medical team members and the management.
What is the story behind your motto RAISE! DOMINATE! REPEAT!?
Kamalesh: The story behind these words is really important. When we did not play well last season, many had said that the level of South Indian football was below par. But our CCFC had 'raised' like a Phoenix from last year's disappointments. They raised and 'dominated' the position.
Possession-based football was tried in India by many people in the past and most of them have not come out with good results. But our CCFC coach Akbar Nawas has proved that we can keep the ball and conjure up successful results.
They RAISED like a Phoenix bird,
DOMINATED like KING OF THE JUNGLE LION.
And are REPEATing that with consistent performances in every match.
You organised an event where fans from Chennai could come to Coimbatore for watching the Chennai City vs Mohun Bagan match. Who initiated it?
Selva: This is not only for the CCFC vs MB match but is regularly undertaken by the fans. We want to hold it regularly for the fans of Chennai and other places in Tamil Nadu.
Based on the number of fans registering for those games, we arrange a mode of transport for their arrival to Coimbatore. Every fan likes to watch a football match in the stadium and to enjoy that atmosphere with the chants and the celebration. So we want to make this dream come true for every fan. That's the reason why we made this provision for our travelling fans.
You have been organising transport for travelling fans. Do you have any plan to screen the away matches?
Kamalesh: Yes, we are planning screenings and the place is also confirmed. But the broadcasting issues (Star telecasting only select matches) spoiled our plans or else we would have started the screening on January 28 itself. We have now decided to screen the away matches in a grand manner next season.
