Dec 8, 2022, 7:00 AM IST
The last two seasons have been incomplete for ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) as it has had to play in empty venues, away from home. Heading into the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season as the defending champion, the Mariners had to make peace with no fans in the stadium to cheer the side. But, its extraordinary bond with its long-standing fan base that was hardly compromised grew further. As it chases the top spot this season, it has its fans back herding the venues for it, fuelling more passion for its pursuit, LIVE at the stadium. Juan Ferrando's men are relishing their football this season, and a prominent contributing element to that has been the atmosphere formed by the fans, which isn't just confined to contests at home.
The recent example of the away support was showcased in the team's first-ever ISL stop at the grim Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, with fans enrapturing it from kick-off till the full-time whistle. The lineage associated with ATKMB journeys with it via its fans. The head coach and players have always thanked the club's adherents, and the fanatics have reciprocated. Some buffs have had a profound affinity with the club that traverses eras. "I have been a fan for 45 years. ATK Mohun Bagan is like my mother. I have one mother at home, and the other one is ATK Mohun Bagan," said one of the fanciers, depicting his enjoyment about the arena gates being unlocked again.
Talking about the fans, ATKMB Head Coach Juan Ferrando said, "We have the best fans. It's incredible because I have worked in different countries for different clubs, but here the support is on another level," devoting the success to the fanatics. Not long after, the environment and the love pictured by the buffs edified star striker Hugo Boumous to commit his essential derby day goal against arch-rival East Bengal (EBFC) to the fanciers as well.
It is what the players have missed in the last two years, and now that the supporters are back, it has been entirely shedding for the players. "There is no fun playing when the stadium is empty. It feels just like a training session. There is a different kind of motivation in us when we see our fans in the stadium," said Manvir Singh.
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The fans themselves have echoed this feeling. For many ATKMB lovers, the club comes to mind as soon as their day forms. "ATK Mohun Bagan is everything to us. No matter how big or small the match is, I'm always supporting ATK Mohun Bagan," stated an ardent fan, donning the Mariners' colours with pride.
The usual raucous reception is expected when it opens up again for Thursday's match against last year's league winner Jamshedpur FC (JFC). ATKMB is presently on a two-game winning streak, and a triumph certifies its second spot until contemporary occupant and defending champion Hyderabad FC (HFC) plays on Friday.