Loyalty in Football? What are you talking about?

It was probably 6^th May 2009 evening (hopefully I got the date right).  It was a usual Wednesday evening. I came back from office and was very tired. All I wanted is food and then my bed. But, there was one extraordinary thing happening – Chelsea was playing Barcelona in the Champions league semifinal. I was following Chelsea for some time now – probably 2 years or so. I was excited for the match and took my colleagues (we used to stay in a company guest house) to a sports bar in Juffair, Bahrain. I actually dragged them as none was a football follower, but came along for drinks – it was on me! (it was the same period though when I was struggling with my expenses). We reached on time and saw a very interesting match (but probably it was only me who was so much in to it). I was happy most of the time as Chelsea was winning, until the last few minutes when Barcelona scored and Chelsea lost the opportunity to reach the final. It was a heart break, not just for the team and for millions of fans around the globe. It was a heart break for me and guess what – I cried! Not joking, I had tears in my eyes. I did not question myself – as to why would I, cause trust me I don’t remember crying when India came out of the cricket world cup, but I was broken, and it took sometime for me to recover (was ok next day I guess). I filled my FB with my frustrated comments and posts on the related topic – bad officiating, etc etc. It was official, that I am die hard Chelsea fan!

Proud? Yes, I was proud of it. Of me being a die hard Chelsea fan. One year down the line, it brought happiness to me when Chelsea won the League. I was very happy and once again my FB was full of appreciation and it was official that I am a happy and proud Chelsea fan. It was probably this year (2010) when I became a regular follower of league games and perhaps that’s why saw much more football , not just involving Chelsea but many other teams as well.  I also noticed many players, which I did not earlier. And one player that caught my imagination was Joe Cole. I was surprised as to why such a player gets only 10 minutes in every game Chelsea plays. I became a bigger fan of course when he scored against Man U in the same year. Yes, that back heel.

Then came the Football world cup and England were struggling. And all English seniors were pressing the need for Joe Cole to come in the team and play 90 minutes football. I remember Terry stating that he is not far behind Messi and Ronaldo. I became even a bigger fan and starting believing my instincts – judging a player on the field. But he never really played too much football and England was thrashed by Germany.

Same time, Cole’s contract with Chelsea were finished and they did not offered him what he was looking for and hence, he became a free bird – ready to join the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool, etc. I was following up this news – more than I ever followed my examination results. And eventually he joined Liverpool. I hated Chelsea for not renewing his contract and guess what – I started following Liverpool ‘as well’ and soon ‘only’ Liverpool.

I did question myself and my answers were never complicated – why did I follow Chelsea in the beginning? I started following Chelsea in the year 2007 when I was in Qatar. That was in fact the first year when I started watching club football. This happened thanks to my friend Ashok, who, with no guess of course, was a and is a big Chelsea fan. So I told myself that Chelsea was inherited to me, where as Liverpool is my choice. I never question myself though that am I following Liverpool just because of one player – Joe Cole? Well I did started appreciating the likes of Gerrard and Torres as well, but main reason of going towards Liverpool was Joe. And sadly or may be not, Cole could not perform well at Anfield (not until today – 30 Jan, 2011) and today he does not even get a chance to play for them any more, he is not even in the bench sometimes. So now what Mr. Aakash Munjal??? You followed Chelsea because when you watched your first club football match, you were sitting with a big Chelsea fan and it was told to you that “hey Blue is the color” and now you don’t know whether “red was ever your color” because the player for which you started having “a look at” Liverpool, is struggling to get any minutes in the field.  So were you ever really a Liverpool fan either??

During the same time though, there was a new me (again). And I started watching more and more and more games. I started watching Arsenal and Barcelona and today (I repeat again – its Jan 30, 2011 ), I watch a lot of games , irrespective of club – but what interest me is – Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Tottenham. I believe Arsenal, Barcelona and Spurs play very attractive football and that’s the reasons I watch their games. I am amazed at the football Barca played and same goes for Arsenal. I also believed if any one who deserved to win their leagues this year – its Arsenal and Barca. So, which team I support today? Which ‘football’ team I support today. I am ‘a die hard’ fan of which team? For which team, I will ‘cry again’ ?? answer to all these question sadly is “may be” Liverpool. Does this make me frustrated? May be yes, but there is a point. I am in love with the game for sure, but I cant help it if I am not too much in love with any particular club. Any ‘die hard’ fan reading this will not like it or may be judge me, but you gotta consider this:

What makes you like a club? What makes you loyal to a club (being someone not belonging to that city or county or country)? – a) players, b) fan culture, c) coaches , d) owners, e) success of the club, f)football  the club plays. Is there anything else in the list? Now consider this:

1. Players – do they stick? Do they deserve your loyalty? Because are they themselves loyal to their club? Rooney could have left Man U if he hasn’t got the paycheck he was asking for. Torres is trying to leave the reds and join blues for 50 million pounds or so. They are their (most of them) for money. So what loyalty you are talking about?
2. Fan culture – this is good. I love the Passion that Liverpool fans display. I love the Reds history indeed. I respect them for that. I love their history as well. But are Man U fans behind in the passion. Even a small club like West Ham United (with respect to the league standings) have some very passionate fans.
3. Coaches- they change before I change my underwear 
4. Owners – they don’t stick either
5. Success of the club – are you a glory hunter? Or a foot ball fan? If latter, then this factor does not matter as well

So what makes you a  ‘loyal’, ‘die hard’ fan. What makes you fight and cry for a particular club. Let me know. Leave your comments with an open heart. As for me, I am a big admirer of game – I am an admirer of Joe Cole (have to start with him ), Gerrard, Torres, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie, Messi, Ronaldo and many others. I am also a fan of Jose Morinho, Arsene Wenger and of course our very own King Kenny. But unfortunately, all these guys I have named work for different clubs. I cant stop loving them all. Can you? Lemme know why ….