BFC fans give Bangalore football an ‘ultra’ flavour
Maxin Mathew TNN
Bangalore: It’s the stand that anyone will kill to be in. Seats are limited and tickets are sold out days in advance before a home game. Emotions run high and throats go hoarse in this cauldron of Bengaluru FC’s most passionate fans. Yes, it has its own Twitter handle as well. Welcome to West Block A, home on match day to the city’s most boisterous and frenetic supporters who bring youthful exuberance to Bengaluru FC’s home matches at the Football Stadium. They aspire to be the Indian version of European football’s famed ‘ultras’, but without the flares and hooliganism. West Block A presents the Yo u n g i s t a n of Bangalore — football-loving college kids and working professionals in their 20s and 30s cheering in unison — a sight Indian football and the I-League have been lusting after.
Passionate fans are Bengaluru’s 12th man Preparations begin several days before a home game. The ‘West Block Blues’ discussion group on Facebook gets abuzz. Ideas are traded on several topics such as new chants, songs, posters, banners and celebrations. Plans to surprise their favourite stars are also discussed. On match day, the decibel levels are high, atmosphere is electric and West Block A is a sight to behold. Amidst the mass of blue shirts, flags and banners, faces painted with BFC colours shout in glory. Feisty moves are applauded, goals are cheered and fouls are booed. Intimidation is another of the Block’s forte. Many visiting teams have fallen prey to their raucous antics. While one visiting coach said the atmosphere “felt much better than playing in front of empty chairs”, Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil faced the music during their heated encounter against BFC last month. Celebrating wildly in front of home fans and taunting them came at a price for Mumbai FC. Jamil was incensed when West Block A erupted in abuse and taunts that included “We have a stadium, you have vada pav’ (in reference to Mumbai having to play their home ties in Pune due to the underrenovation Cooperage Stadium). Since then, the fans have tried to cut down on profanities and stick to their witty chants. “Yes, things got a little out of hand during the Mumbai game, but now all of us have toned down,” says 23-year-old Nitin Fernandes, a regular at West Block A. “We respect the families and young fans who come for the matches.” Some of the fans travelled over 350 km to Manjeri in Kerala in February to cheer the Blues during their Federation Cup campaign. Ayeshni Dasgupta was the only woman in the 22,000-capacity Manjeri stadium, but that was the last thing on her mind at that time. Back home, the 21-yearold engineering student is delighted with the revival that BFC has bought to the game in Bangalore. “I have been following football from the time HAL was playing in the big leagues. Look at how things have changed now. More and more women are coming to watch BFC play. Young fans like us are keeping the spirit of football alive in Bangalore,” she says. West Block A could be every visiting I-League club’s bête noire, but for Bengaluru FC, they are undisputedly their 12th man. CHANTS THAT ROCK BFS WHEN THE BLUES GO MARCHING IN: Oh when the blues go marching in (x2), I want to be in that number, When the blues go marching in. FOR THE SKIPPER: He scores when he wants, He scores when he wantssss, That Sunil Chhetri, He scores when he wants. FOR ROONEY: Sean rooney reeeeeee ....tere bina bhi kya jeena FOR JOHN JOHNSON: This Johnson, he heads home, He heads crosses from Beikho, With a knick-knack paddy whack gives his club a goal, This Johnson, Keeps scoring more. FOR BEIKHOKHEI: If you're happy and you know it, shout Beikho (BEIKHO!!) x2, If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, If you're happy and you know it, shout Beikho (BEIKHO!!) Follow West Block A on Twitter: @WestBlockA_BFC or Facebook (group): West Block Blues [email protected] ULTRA MILDS: Singing fans create an electric atmosphere and West Block A is a sight to behold. Below: BFC supporters en route to Manjeri to back the Blues
