Established in May 2014, Kerala Blasters Football Club is a professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that competes in the Indian Super League, the top tier of football in India. The Blasters played their inaugural match on 13 October 2014, but unfortunately, they lost 1–0 to NorthEast United. Despite this setback, the club has become one of the most widely supported clubs in Asia, thanks to their passionate and vocal fan base.
The Blasters have a strong and passionate fanbase, which includes a supporters' group called Manjappada. Manjappada has gained a reputation for being one of the most vocal and passionate fan clubs in Asia. Their unwavering support for the team has been instrumental in creating an electric atmosphere during home matches.
The Blasters have finished as runners-up in the Indian Super League three times, showing their consistent performance and competitiveness over the years. Plus, the club has also gained a reputation for having one of the largest social media followings among football clubs from the continent, which further adds to their popularity.
The Kerala Blaster crest features an elephant holding a football with its trunk which is meant to showcase the state’s deep connection with the sport. It is a symbol of the club's strong bond with the local culture and heritage of the state. The elephant, which is Kerala's state animal, represents strength, intelligence, and loyalty, while the football denotes the club's passion for the sport.
The Blasters sports a traditional kit from its inception, which has a yellow and blue colour scheme. Yellow is the primary colour and identity of the club. The colour yellow represents energy, enthusiasm, and optimism, which are essential attributes for any sports team.
Kerala Blasters- History:
The history of the club can be traced back to early 2014 when the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the governing body of association football in India, announced that they would accept bids for the ownership of eight franchises from selected cities for the inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL). Kochi was among the selected cities selected, and on 13 April 2014, it was announced that former India national cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar and entrepreneur Prasad V. Potluri had won the rights to operate the Kochi franchise.
On 27 May 2014, the club's official name, Kerala Blasters FC, was unveiled to the public. The name ensured to reflect the club and the state of Kerala’s strong connection. The team's name was intended to invoke the spirit of the state's courageous and determined people.
Indian international Mehtab Hossain became the first player to be signed by the club during the inaugural domestic draft, which was conducted to recruit players for the ISL. Mehtab Hossain was an experienced player who had previously played for heavyweight clubs such as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
The first season of the ISL saw Kerala Blasters FC make their debut on 13 October 2014, against NorthEast United. Despite losing the match 1-0, the Blasters showed promising signs in their first-ever game. The team had a mixed start to their campaign, but they eventually made it to the final of the tournament. Unfortunately, they lost to Atletico de Kolkata in the final, finishing as runners-up.
Kerala Blasters- Home stadium:
Located in the heart of Kochi, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium serves as the home stadium for Kerala Blasters. This multipurpose stadium is primarily used for football but has also hosted games for various cricket teams in the past. It has also served as the home ground for National Football League and I-League clubs FC Kochin and Chirag United Club Kerala.
The stadium was also became the home ground for the Indian Premier League cricket team Kochi Tuskers, in addition to hosting domestic football teams. The stadium's facilities were upgraded and renovated to meet international standards in preparation for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The renovation included the installation of new seating, and the stadium's capacity was reduced to 50,000 initially and later to 41,000 for security reasons.
The stadium won the Best Pitch of the Season Award of the League in the 2018-19 season of the Indian Super League. The stadium's groundskeeping team ensured that the playing surface was in excellent condition throughout the season and the high-quality pitch was appreciated by both players and fans alike.
Kerala Blasters- Rivalries:
Kerala Blasters has developed rivalries with multiple clubs in the Indian Super League. The club's most prominent rivalry is with Chennaiyin FC, a fellow southern club, which began in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League. The South Indian Derby between these two clubs is always intense and fiery.
Another south Indian rivalry is with Bengaluru FC which began in 2017 even before Bengaluru joined the ISL. The matches between these two teams have come to be known as the Real South Indian Derby.
Another intense rivalry of the Blasters is with Kolkata-based club ATK Mohun Bagan. The rivalry between these two clubs dates back to the Santosh Trophy where both the states had a long-lasting rivalry. Kerala Blasters lost to ATK in extra time in the 2014 final of the Indian Super League, and once again, they lost on penalties in the 2016 final. In 2020, ATK merged with the football section of multi-sport club Mohun Bagan to form ATK Mohun Bagan, which has further intensified the rivalry.
In conclusion, Kerala Blasters FC has established itself as one of the most popular and successful football clubs in the country and with a crazed fan base, the club has managed to create some intense rivalries with other clubs in the Indian Super League, including Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, and ATK Mohun Bagan. These rivalries have added to the excitement and entertainment value of the ISL, making it one of the most popular football leagues in Asia.
Overall, Kerala Blasters FC has made significant contributions to the growth of football in India and has given football fans in Kerala and across the country some memorable moments to cherish. With the right strategy and a strong team, the club has the potential to achieve even greater success in the future and continue to make a positive impact on Indian football.