#VK Sanju

KOCHI | The official fan club, Manjappada, has issued a strongly-worded statement expressing discontent with the Kerala Blasters management. With only two weeks remaining until the commencement of the new ISL season, fervent fans have risen in protest, their frustration ignited by the team’s recent defeat in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup.

The team management has struggled to secure suitable replacements following the departure of key players such as Dimitrios Diamantakos and Jeakson Singh. Last season, Diamantakos clinched the Golden Boot with 13 goals, yet his devoted fans only learned of his exit through a social media post. To date, the management has remained conspicuously silent, offering no official statement on the matter. These new challenges have arisen even before fans have had a chance to recover from the shock of losing Ivan Vukumanovic, the most successful coach in the team’s history.

In a heartfelt statement, the Yellow Brigade called upon the team management to honor their commitment to the fans. With the transfer window rapidly closing, the management has yet to unveil the names of new players, leaving fans in a state of anxious anticipation. The supporters are also urging the management to actively address their concerns and take decisive steps to enhance the team's performance, ensuring that the passion of the fanbase is duly respected.

Kerala Blasters boast the largest fan base in Asia, a testament to their immense popularity. Yet, in the decade-long history of the ISL, the team has not secured a single cup, with their closest achievements being three appearances in the finals.

While Kerala Blasters made headlines in their early seasons by bringing in renowned players like David James, Michael Chopra, and Dimitar Berbatov, they have since struggled, unlike other ISL teams, to attract many players of global renown. Players such as Dimitrios Diamantakos and Ian Hume, who quickly won the hearts of fans with their exceptional performances, have often been lured away by other clubs after just one or two standout seasons, leaving the Blasters' supporters yearning for sustained brilliance on the ground.

The Blasters' management has shown little significant effort to retain such talents within the team or to establish a strong foundation by preserving the core of the squad for the long term. This lack of strategic foresight has left fans disheartened, as they witness the continual departure of key players without the stability needed for lasting success.

The Blasters' recent defeat in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup, despite a promising start with 16 goals in their first three matches, mirrors a recurring pattern in their history. In the ISL as well, the team has become synonymous with faltering after strong beginnings—surrendering leads and fading away in the decisive final matches. This inconsistency has, regrettably, become a defining characteristic of the team.

Despite these setbacks, the Yellow Brigade remains an unwavering fan base that has never lost faith in the team. At its inception, Sachin Tendulkar was the co-owner of the club as he wanted to bring the fervor of cricket to football too. The team's name, Kerala Blasters, was inspired by his iconic nickname 'Master Blaster'. Yet, even after Sachin sold his stake in the team after four seasons and moved out, the fans have remained steadfast, loyally standing by the Blasters through every triumph and trial.

Only when the management's neglect of the team reaches unbearable limits does the Yellow Brigade voice its discontent. These devoted fans, who paint the galleries in yellow not only at their home ground in Kochi but also at away matches across the country, now find themselves with deep and genuine concerns. Prized as the '12th Man' of Kerala Blasters, this time, they were nudged to speak out.