Moksh Shah has proven to be a lucky charm for Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC in recent times. A devoted member of the West Coast Brigade, the club’s most prominent fan group, Shah has never witnessed the Islanders lose a match at the Mumbai Football Arena, their home ground.

Shah, still in his teens and currently pursuing his Advanced Subsidiary Levels at Don Bosco International School in Matunga, represents a new generation of passionate young fans. His passion for football is so strong that he plans to pursue a career in coaching after completing his studies, inspired by the likes of Jose Mourinho and former Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham.

Getting started

Shah's journey with Mumbai City FC began in 2018 when he was just nine years old. A devoted Manchester United FC fan, his interest surged after the 2022 World Cup, leading him to research more about Indian football and the national team players representing his home club, Mumbai City FC.

"I saw people abroad supporting their local clubs, so I thought, 'Why don't I start?'" Shah recalls.

From then on, Shah decided to follow the club closely ahead of the ISL 2022-23 season. He attended Mumbai City FC’s match against FC Goa, witnessing the club play live for the first time. His team won the game convincingly, and the atmosphere and experience hooked him. It was then he encountered members of the West Coast Brigade and approached them to inquire about joining.

"I felt like I'm part of something and it took my passion further as a football fan," Shah reminisced after becoming a member.

According to Shah, the West Coast Brigade boasts over 500 members, with a core group of around 10 members. Aspiring fans can easily join the group by reaching out via their social media handles.

Though one of the smallest fan groups in the ISL, their passion and dedication to MCFC are widely recognised in Indian football.

"Since many fans cannot attend away games, WCB organises watch parties at different venues. We also greet players or coaches at the airport if they are arriving or departing," Shah reveals.

Through Shah's enthusiasm, several of his school friends have developed an interest in Indian football and have become fans of Mumbai City FC themselves. Some plan to join the West Coast Brigade after completing their Secondary School Certificate exams.

Making their voices heard

One standout feature of the fan club is their chants. Shah shares that they cheer not only for the players but also for the support staff and ball boys during Mumbai City FC’s matches. His favourite chant is the Marathi version of K’naan’s "Wavin Flag".

For Shah, what distinguishes the West Coast Brigade from other fan clubs is their unwavering faith and support for the team. Regardless of the outcome or situation, members of the fan club always make their voices heard.

"When teams start losing by a big margin, fans start leaving the club, and that’s something I don’t wish to see because the players are giving their all and playing for your club. So as fans, it’s our duty to stick by the team, and that’s what our fans do — they never abandon the team, whatever the result may be," Shah asserts.

A positive change 

Shah’s influence extends beyond his friends to family members. While his father mostly watched cricket on TV, the father-son duo now enjoy watching ISL games together.

Shah vividly recalls the second leg semi-final clash between Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC from the 2022-23 season. A dedicated Manchester United FC follower, Shah rarely misses their matches, no matter how late. However, on that particular day, his allegiance to his local club outweighed his devotion to Manchester United FC, prompting him to skip their match.

It’s been two seasons now that Shah has been supporting Mumbai City FC closely and he has observed a significant shift in the fan culture in Indian football. 

"Stadiums used to not even fill up 40 percent, and now tickets consistently sell out. Over the years, the difficulty in booking tickets due to availability shows how much the fan base has grown," he explains.

Shah’s affection for Mumbai City FC has grown so much that he now favours watching their games over Manchester United FC, having been drawn to their attractive and attacking style of football. 

"Watching Manchester United FC play gives me a lot of stress, but watching Mumbai City FC play takes it all away," he smiles.