Not they needed
a stamp of approval, but it
helps. The Gaur Army of spirited FC Goa fans are an official supporters group
of Goa’s most loved club across any sport and on April 9 (three days ago) they
celebrated their first anniversary of recognition
Their tongue-in-cheek
chants, the vibrant gaur band Led by its mascot Gaurdinho and their ubiquitous
presence make them loudest, most loyal supporters of our Gaurs. It is
undoubtedly “FC Goa’s 12th Man in the stands’ and with a good reason, because
irrespective of the venue or the weather, the army always shows for their
favorite team.
The Supporters club
was born in 2018 Indian Super League season, Founding Member of Gaur army,
Sidharth Mehta said the club was formed because of four passionate FC Goa Team
Fans who bumped into each other at the home game at Fatorda. “We met each other
regularly during the earlier stages of ISL games. We all hailed from different
parts of Goa and for the away game last season against Pune FC we decided to
gather and unite as many goans as possible and sit in large numbers to drum up
support to our team and develop an away fan culture. Since then there was no
looking back, we were the first and only supporters club to reach out to back
the Gaurs at Jamshedpur, New Delhi and Bhubaneshwar where no other supporters
club reached in last five years.
Because of its
long-standing existence, the Gaur Army has developed strong ties with the FC
Goa management who gave them the opportunity to become the official Supporters
club in 2018- 19 season. But following the team everywhere can be tough on the
heartstrings ( and at times the purse strings) as well, because sometimes,
victory isn’t ours. But no matter the outcome of the game, gaur army members
never fail to show their devotion towards the team.
Another football
enthusiast and founding member of the Gaur Army, Conrad Barreto says “When the
team loses, they need our support the most and this is where we are valued the
most by players. Last year when FC Goa lost the Semi Final against Chennai,
with tears in the eyes; Gaur Army members stood up- loud and proud- with
prominent banners like “we will bounce back Stronger” And “win or lose we love
you FC Goa”. That moment was heart touching as players walked towards us and
gave away their jerseys. This gave goose bumps to all supporters.
20-year-old Ronaldo
Rebello from Cuncolim says “Over the past year we have seen a definite shift in
fan mentality and loyalty towards the team. Fans now support the team to the
last minute, gone are the days when fans used to speak in a bad language over a
loss.
ISL host and TV
Anchor Leeza Mangaldas, speaking on the supporters club anniversary said “Gaur
Army is on a year full of incredible passion, energy and love. The atmosphere
in Goa is unmatched in Goa because of the Gaur Army.”
Sports Anchor Anant
Tyagi quoted saying “Gaur Army creates incredible atmosphere at the Fatorda
with Gaurdinho, Gaur band which is absolutely fantastic and also travelled with
Gaurs at away game and sung loud and Proud
And there’s
something- obviously- for the girls. The gaur army has a women’s wing. Several
girls and parents of players join the women’s wing to drum up support for the
Gaurs. Recalling her experience Xanisha Fernandes from Candolim says “ Gaur
Army is like our family which has given recognition to Goa across the football
fraternity of India. We are welcomed with open arms by local fan clubs ( not
officially recognized by their clubs) when we visit away venues like Jamshedpur
Red Miners to West Block Blues of BFC and Also West Coast Brigade of the Mumbai
City FC.
There has never been
any match without the Gaur army in attendance to drum up support along its
Mascot popularly Known as Gaudinho and the Gaur Band led by its key members
Carlos Gonsalves and Kevin Albuquerque. In another first and its commitment to
work for inclusive fan culture Gaur Army became the only supporters club to
have made a National Anthem Video shot at Nehru Stadium along with specially
abled children from the Gujarati Samaj School Margao.
Founding member
Sidharth Mehta says “As football Fan who has travelled the length and breadth
of the Indian Sub-Continent following the FC Goa Team through good times and
bad, this was surreal. I believe what defines our Supporters club is how we are
valued by the team we support. The Love and respect we have got from FC Goa
players led by Head Coach Sergio Lobera speaks volumes why we are now popularly
known as Sergio’s Gaur Army.
Be it the entire team
walking towards us after every match to players defying the security barrier
and giving their priceless Jerseys to Golden Boot FerranCorominas trying to
express his love for the “12th Man” as we welcome the team every home and away
game gives Goosebumps to every member of the Gaur Army” he said.
The Members have
lived up to their coined hashtag “WeAreGoa” in true letter and spirit.
Today
the Gaur Army has over 7000 Followers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
handles and has members from across Goa and several countries including U.K,
Australia and UAE with football buffs following them closely.
