An open letter to my dearest Bengaluru FC
With the recent loss in the ISL finals against Chennaiyin hard to digest, especially when everyone pegged us to be the champions by a mile and a half, easily the favourites to lift the trophy, it has indeed come as a shock for everyone.
All the focus, however, has gone to the fans, about how distraught they are, having supported their team right from the day the management decided to shift to the league termed as the “future of football in India”.
Spare a thought though for the team management, the coaching staff and the other people directly involved in running the club the way it has right from the time of inception.
As our boys dejectedly walked off the field, an emotional Parth Jindal summoned up all the courage he could and egged the crowd on, to chant for the team, to believe, to know that we fall down, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes.
Mandar (Tamhane) on the other hand looked dazed, perhaps unable to fathom what had just happened in the period of 90 minutes. If you managed to notice closely, he was teary-eyed, the bright lights and fanfare masking it to a great extent.
I can only imagine how Kunaal (Majgaonkar), media manager and by his own admission, a big BFC fan would have felt. Often after the matches that we’ve won, we have all seen him jump in joy, ecstatic with the win. That day, however, he was nowhere to be seen.
And then there are the likes of Rosewall (Da Cunha), Aakash (Vinay), Mikel (Guillen), Satish (Kumar), Saddam, and many others (excuse my forgetfulness here) who are all an essential part of Bengaluru FC. There’s a reason we are called family. Everyone is so closely knit, sharing the highs and lows that the club has had over the years.
As fans, over the past couple of days, we’ve cried our hearts out, abused (what seemed like) questionable decisions from the officials, cried foul at the opponents, and a few of them even went to the extent of questioning our tactics during the course of the game.
While to a point it is alright to feel such things, these are the times when we have to be with our family, back them to no extent, and make sure they return stronger and deadlier
I myself am guilty of being overly emotional. After having travelled to seven away matches, and attending almost all home games this season, I was so nonchalant and carefree, and to some extent cocky and overconfident, knowing that we would walk away with the cup in our first ISL season as well.
The moment the final whistle blew, I stood there in the stands, shocked. An hour passed, and I was still there, not responding to any external stimulus. A few fellows came over, exchanged hugs, and we cried a lot.
The few cops at the stands probably realized how big an impact this club has on us, and were kind enough not to ask us to leave, as they usually do. I left the stadium at 12:45 am, a good three hours after the final whistle.
The next two days, I did not respond to anyone’s calls or messages. Deep inside, I still couldn’t come to terms with the reality. It’s three days since, and I’m here penning this letter, this time though with pride masking my sorrow.
If as fans, we are feeling so emotional, I can only imagine how much of a shock the aforementioned people would be in. Chin up guys, for just as you need us, we need you! Like we have supported the boys on the field, we are here for you guys off the field as well.
If you’re wondering why there are no mentions of the players or the coach, I know they have given it their all, they have never doubted, they have never shown any signs of weakness, they have never given up. Words cannot describe the respect, the admiration, and the faith we have in them. They make us who we are, proud West Block Blues!
What has happened cannot be changed. All we can do is learn from our past and work on it in the future. As fans, we believe that BFC will come back with a thirst like never before, and we acknowledge that you people (the management) have a great role to play in this. Let’s move onward and upward. For now, the focus lies on Asian glory and perhaps the Super Cup as a consolation!
Forever BFC, Forever a Blue!