In the sea of yellow that floods the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi during Indian Super League (ISL) matches, one face stands out among the crowd for more reasons than one. Meet Sobhith Joshy, a 26-year-old Corporate Manager from Alappuzha has woven Kerala Blasters FC into the fabric of his everyday life. And it all started with his childhood hero Sachin Tendulkar.

His love for cricket slowly transitioned into football when Tendulkar co-owned the club. But even after the Master Blaster stepped away from ownership, Sobhith’s bond with the Blasters only grew deeper.

“Tendulkar left, but Kerala Blasters FC became a part of my life,” Sobhith says with a smile.

Art that opened doors

Sobhith officially joined the Kerala Blasters Army during the 2019-20 season. Back then, the fan club was in search of a local artist. He got in touch with their admins Abhijith and Sooraj, who welcomed him into the fold and Sobhith submitted a hand-drawn portrait of then-defender Sandesh Jhingan.

His early involvement led to bigger responsibilities. From heading the art wing to becoming a committee member post the 2021-22 season, today he serves as the State Working Secretary. It’s a title that comes with countless sacrifices. Time, family and travel but he doesn’t think twice.

“A fan club member has to sacrifice many things, their family program, their jobs.. We are not expecting anything in return, it’s just because of our passion,” he explains.

Breathing life into the West Gallery

The heart of Kerala Blasters Army beats loudest in the west gallery of the Kochi stadium. That’s where tifos come alive, chants echo and the Mexican wave often begins. Most of the original art wing members, like Sobhith, were still in college when they first picked up paintbrushes for banners.

The group began small. A simple WhatsApp group consisted of just five members in the inaugural season, hence the five stars in their logo. Initially, fans came from different parts of Kerala and watched games scattered across the stands. But by the second season, the Army had formed an organised presence with coordinated activities both on and off the pitch.

“We are not a seasonal fan club. We do activities during and after the season,” Sobhith says.

From blood donation drives to launching a football foundation for orphans, the club operates year-round, ensuring that their love for the game extends beyond Matchday.

Through wins and wounds

What makes Kerala Blasters Army unique? Sobhith says it’s their relentless support, regardless of the result.

“We are with the club through all times... through thick and thin,” he says.

Even during tough phases, he believes it's the support that matters most.

“If the team is going through a bad phase, what they need is our support. Whatever state they’re in, I will support my club in any situation,” he claims.

There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect between Kerala Blasters Army and other fan clubs, along with Manjappada and Kerala Blasters 12th Player.

“Manjappada recognises us for doing tifos and activities and after all, we are working for one club,” Sobhith explains.

More than a team: A way of life

With over 56 matches watched at Kochi’s fortress and three seasons of not missing a single home game, the club has become more than just Matchday entertainment for him.

“It’s not just a team, it’s a family for me. I'm ready to sacrifice anything for them.”

Sobhith has made away trips to Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru and the Northeast for Kerala Blasters FC’s games. And for home games, the sacrifice includes traveling nearly 40 kilometres one way from his home in Cherthala to Kochi for each game, sometimes more.

“I know members who travel 150kms one way. That’s the kind of sacrifice fans are making,” he says.

It’s not just a solo journey. Sobhith shares that he spends nearly half the year away from home, but his family, especially his younger brother, who's even more passionate about the game has always stood firmly by his side.

“The support from my family is the fuel which drives me. My younger brother is even more passionate and dreams of playing for Kerala Blasters someday,” he reveals.

Memories etched forever

But the distance that Sobhith travels never dulls his spirit. He recalls one of his most emotional moments as a fan: the 1-0 win over Odisha FC on Boxing Day during the 2022-23 season.

“I thought that match was going to end up in a draw but that header from Sandeep (Singh) was special because that day I had an experience like no other.”

Another standout memory was Kerala Blasters FC’s thrilling 4-2 comeback win over FC Goa, a match that had fans on the edge of their seats. Sobhith remembers that while the home attendance for that game was relatively low, by the final whistle, the atmosphere was so electric it felt like a packed stadium.

Over the years, the recognition from players and coaches has been both humbling and motivating, for both Sobhith and the Kerala Blasters Army. Adrian Luna once called Sobhith and another member of the fan club to his hotel room and handed them a jersey after the 2022-23 season.

Others like Noah Sadaoui and former head coach Ivan Vukomanovic have acknowledged the fan group’s work too. Last season, coach TG Purushothaman showed his appreciation as well.

The Kerala Blasters Army have big plans for the future. They are planning a tifo around the current squad players and aim to register the initiative in the Asia Book of Records.

“No other team has done tifos for all players in the squad,” he says.

With over 200 official members and nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram, the Army continues to grow while staying rooted in their values of loyalty, creativity and giving to the community.

And as long as there’s a game to be played in Kochi and as long as yellow fills the stands, you will find Sobhith in the West Gallery, with his heart on his sleeve and Kerala Blasters FC in his soul.

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Kerala Blasters FC2024-2025