September 21, 2024

I’m Mohammed Afzal from Kasaragod, Kerala, and my love affair with Tottenham Hotspur began during the 2012-13 Premier League season. Back then, I wasn’t deeply into football, but Gareth Bale’s brilliance changed everything for me. Watching Bale score rocket-like goals from outside the box and tear through opposition defenses with his raw pace and skill left me in awe. His sheer magic drew me toward Spurs, and I thought I’d follow him when he made his big move to Real Madrid. But as I reflected, I realized my loyalty wasn’t just to a player, but to the club. From that moment in the 2013-14 season, I committed myself as a die-hard Tottenham Hotspur fan.

Supporting Spurs from Kerala wasn’t easy. Premier League coverage for a club like Tottenham was practically non-existent in local newspapers, and finding match timings was a real challenge. On top of that, my high school friends often teased me, as I seemed to be the only hardcore Spurs fan in the entire school and probably the entire district. But rather than let that discourage me, it fueled my passion. I knew I couldn’t be the only one, and I made it my mission to find other Spurs fans in Kerala.

Eventually, I stumbled upon a Facebook page called “Kerala Spurs.” I immediately sent them a message, eager to learn more about the group. To my excitement, they welcomed me into their WhatsApp group—a virtual haven filled with fellow Tottenham loyalists from Kerala. It was a game-changer. I no longer felt like an outsider. I realized there were others who shared the same passion and devotion to Spurs as I did.

Although I was now part of the Kerala Spurs community online, I desperately wanted to meet them in person. Unfortunately, fate seemed to have other plans. I missed the annual meet-up in Calicut because of a family event. Another time, when I was ready to attend a match screening, my train was delayed by seven hours. In 2019, when I was gearing up for the screening of the Champions League final, I suffered an injury during a local football game, forcing me to miss the event yet again.

Despite these setbacks, I remained connected with the group, keeping the bond strong through online discussions and chats. But I knew that someday I would finally meet them in person. After nearly a decade of waiting, I made the decision that this time, no matter what, I would attend. The opportunity came in the form of an annual meet-up and match screening, which was set to coincide with Kerala’s Onam celebrations.

The day finally arrived, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. After years of virtual friendships, I was about to meet the fans I had spent countless hours discussing matches with. It was a surreal moment—a day when online connections would transform into real-life friendships. Meeting the fellow members of Kerala Spurs felt like the culmination of a long journey, and it reinforced my love for Tottenham Hotspur even more.

Supporting Spurs has always been more than just about football for me. It’s about the spirit of community, the loyalty to a club through thick and thin, and the friendships formed along the way. Whether it’s celebrating victories or enduring heart-wrenching defeats, being a Tottenham Hotspur fan is an integral part of who I am. After all, to dare is to do.