Sometimes sporting heroes do 'Walk alone'!

Fanatic: A a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal.

‘This season will be our season’;LFC fans showing their support to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy

Indian sports ‘fans’ (read Cricket) are a crazy bunch, who have fluctuating loyalties towards a particular cricketer (Sachin Tendulkar) or a football club.

Tendulkar, India’s cricketing hero, gets bowled out by the Kiwi pacers, and out come the many ‘knowledgable’ cricket ‘enthusiasts’ with theories, which range from how Tendulkar should be ‘moving his feet faster’ to the usual cries of ‘out with Sachin’ and ‘bring in young players’.

Now, though the entire country respects Tendulkar as a cricketing genius(rightly so), the recent outcries over Tendulkar’s cheap dismissals against the Kiwi pacers only highlights the fluctuating loyalties of our cricket and sport ‘fans’.

Tendulkar has been criticized for his recent dismissals against New Zealand

Like our cricket ‘lovers’, such fickle behaviour exists in sports apart from cricket, and the craziest bunch exist in the American baseball and basketball leagues. Another glaring example is that of former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie.

Van Persie, who moved on to Manchester United this season, has had his own share of brickbats from the Gunner’s ‘faithful’ for his ‘lack of loyalty’ to the North London club.

Now, though Arsenal do not look like winning a major trophy any time soon, Van Persie followed other Arsenal greats(Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas!) to move on to a club which would probably help him win some much needed silverware(Mr Wenger are you listening?).

After the much hyped transfer deal fell through, Van Persie was deemed not good enough to be even acknowledged as a former Gunner, who did contribute so much to the club(who can forget his heroics last season!).

Arsenal jerseys were burnt and out came the ‘Judas’ cries for the talismanic Dutch striker.

Van Persie for all his contributions has been labelled a ‘traitor’ at Arsenal!

Though it does hurt when a star player or performer in any profession including sport, does not perform to the level which is expected by fans and supporters alike, it definitely does not give them a reason to crucify a Van Persie or a Tendulkar.

Athletes play sport at the highest level to win trophies, and there was no way Van Persie could have achieved that at Arsenal(only the most die hard Gunner fan would probably disagree with the writer!).

Even Tendulkar, who has achieved so much for Indian cricket, has been villified of late, despite his committment and ‘never say die’ attitude towards cricket.

Tough times and adversities bring out the best in a sports-person’s career, and it definitely looks like Van Persie has put behind chants of ‘Judas’, going by his great start at United, and would probably endear himself to a completely different fan base at the Old Trafford club.

So, the writer would love to see a Tendulkar or Van Persie, back at their best once again, which would probably bring out the ‘fickleness’ of their respective ‘fans’ once again.

And as adversities bring out the best in a person(and a club!), the writer hopes true sports ‘fans’ do remain loyal to their respective star performers and clubs.

Plus, the writer, an ardent Liverpool supporter definitely feels ‘This season is our season’!