For Gwenda Schobert, football is much more personal, tangible, and closer to the heart. Her connection to the sport, however, wasn't something she planned—it evolved naturally, starting from her time in Germany and later blossoming in Mumbai.

Born and raised in Germany, Schobert’s journey into the heart of Indian football began after she moved to Mumbai in 2014.

Today, she’s not just a die-hard Mumbai City FC supporter but also a trailblazer for grassroots and women’s football development in the city.

“I never planned to move (to India) it just like happened step-by-step in 2014. I was still in college and I had an internship opportunity here in Mumbai. So, I came for that then the internship turned into like a full-time position with the same organisation, and (I) stayed on,” she said in an interview with indiansuperleague.com.

As a child in Germany, she was a football player, and upon moving to India, she was determined to get back on the field. Though it took her three or four years to find a team, once she did, there was no turning back.

“So, actually, even as a kid in Germany, I used to play football. But then I had a 15-year break from playing. When I moved to Mumbai, in fact, I was looking for girls' teams to start playing again in 2014. But as you all know, the sport was still growing, so it took me, I think, about three or four years to find a team to start playing,” Schobert stated.

She is now the player-manager of Young Guns FC, where she plays a pivotal role in nurturing talent and promoting the sport within the local community.

In 2018, a tweet from Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri profoundly impacted Schobert’s connection to the sport in India further.

“Even though it was an international game that was actually the first time I think I've gone to watch a bigger football match live.”

“And I remember a bunch of guys from the West Coast Brigade, who with drums were creating an incredible atmosphere,” she shared.

However, her love story with the Islanders truly took off during the 2022-23 season, when she began attending matches regularly. Sometimes with friends, sometimes solo, Schobert found her way to the vibrant West Coast Brigade stand, where her passion for the club flourished.

“Even though that was in 2018, it still took me then post-COVID to come back to the stadium and actively start following Mumbai City FC, which I think I might have gone for one game in the 2021-2022 season, but the 2022-2023 season is when I really started coming for each and every match and be fully committed,” she said.

While her initial move to Mumbai was not driven by football, it’s here that her love for the sport truly blossomed. Although she grew up watching some football in Germany, she was never a hard-core fan of any particular club.

“Even by growing up in Germany I would maybe sometimes watch some games but I was never like a hardcore fan of any club,” she says.

“In fact, even today, I really dislike watching football on TV. I need to be in the stadium or I need to play. But then of course, like for Mumbai City FC, I do attend our screenings as well, besides attending the home games,” she added.

Fast forward to the present, and she is now deeply involved with the Mumbai City FC fan group, handling community outreach.

For her, being part of the West Coast Brigade goes beyond supporting her team—it's about fostering an inclusive and unforgettable experience for others, particularly the younger fans who will carry the future of Indian football.

"I would say I only watch 20% of the match live in the stadium. The other 80% I probably like engaging with fans, ensuring that new people to the stadium have a good experience," Schobert shares with a laugh.

Her work in community outreach on matchdays is a testament to her dedication to the club and to football in general. Schobert’s focus isn’t just on the game unfolding on the pitch; it’s about creating lasting memories for the fans, particularly the kids who come to the stadium for the very first time.

Reflecting on her journey with Mumbai City FC, Schobert admits it’s hard to pick just one favourite moment. “Honestly, all my moments are my favourite moments,” she says with a smile. But two stand out vividly in her memory.

The first was the dramatic away match against FC Goa last season in the first leg of the semi-final when the Islanders pulled off a remarkable comeback in Fatorda.

“I had planned to travel to Goa for that match but couldn’t make it. About 100 fans travelled, and the rest of us had a screening in Mumbai. By the 88th minute, everyone thought it was game over—we were losing, and people were ready to give up. I told them, ‘Chill, just wait. Support the team till the end.’ And then, within three or four minutes, we scored three goals. It was insane!'

The second highlight is tied to the matchday experience at the Mumbai Football Arena.

“There are so many amazing memories from the stadium. But what I love is making sure young fans, especially girls, have a great time. Unfortunately, Mumbai City FC doesn’t have a women’s team yet, but I love it when these young girls come to me and say things like, ‘Last time, this player talked to me.’

For Schobert, these moments capture the essence of her love for football: community, belief, and the joy of inspiring others to fall in love with the game she holds so dear.