Die-hard supporters and fans of the Arsenal Football Club have come together at the Arsenal Mumbai Fan Club to add more cheers for their team.
Boring, boring Arsenal! A popular chant used by opposition football club fans to taunt the ace football team, Arsenal, is quite a hit. And members of the Arsenal Mumbai Fan Club (AMFC), the only official Arsenal support club in the country, often hear the same from opposition fans here too. Yet, they are firm in their resolve to support their favourite team, come what may, “Boring, Boring Arsenal is a thing of the past. Now we use the same chant sarcastically for every Arsenal win,” says Kartik Menda, 23, a member of AMFC and an ardent Arsenal Football Club fan. Menda, a member of AMFC is also a member of the Arsenal Club, London. His liking for Arsenal stems out of his hatred for Manchester United. “I just think Man-U is simply over hyped,” says Menda who has an Arsenal memorabilia containing three kits of the team’s jerseys, socks, caps, bags, flags, magazines and posters.
AMFC first started as an online community on a social networking site. The members initially met every Sunday at Juhu beach for their footie meetings where they played football and kept themselves updated on the Arsenal front. However, the numbers subsequently multiplied and today with a 200 strong member base, the footie meetings have moved to Shivaji Park.
The footie meetings take place at 7.30am and draws people from the distant suburbs. "We have members coming from Vasai, Ambernath, Chembur and reaching the grounds bang on time," says Neil D'souza, 23, treasurer of the fan club.
Abhishek Patil, 24, is an active member of the club. The only Arsenal supporter amongst his gang of friends, who are ardent Manchester United supporters, he was often teased when Arsenal underperformed. Nevertheless, this did not deter his loyalty towards the team.
In fact, people joining in despite it being Arsenal’s not so good times only boosts the club’s spirit. The club also hosts screenings of live football matches for its members.
Recollecting the experience of the club’s very first screening Patil says excitedly, “There was this one screening where Arsenal had beaten Man-U in a tight match. We were all hysterical, we broke glasses, banged tables, fell chairs, obviously we had top pay up later, but it was worth it.” However, he also says, “I have cried when Arsenal has lost a game.”
Last year Menda thought of making his affection for his favourite team public and got a permanent Arsenal tattoo done on his forearm. “It’s an Arsenal logo. While football fans find it cool, others think it's weird,” he says smilingly.
Menda has also visited the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal's home stadium in London and he says, “It is simply outstanding.”
Bhushan Rao, co-founder of the club is the one who got the club official recognition. The members elect the representatives of AMFC. “We had reservations about starting an official club, as it is a big responsibility. But we love Arsenal far too much to let go of this opportunity,” says Rao.
AMFC members avail of discounts on screenings; can buy Arsenal merchandise and have a better chance of grabbing tickets for Arsenal matches abroad.
Saurabh Penkar, 27, chairman of the club says that currently AMFC is riding high because of their recent victory in a league match where they defeated members of the other football fan clubs. “Arsenal didn’t win in London but the Mumbai Arsenals have won and London will soon follow,” he says as the latest defence against bantering of opposition fans in this friendly rivalry.
Looks like these gunners are ready to take it head on!
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