ISL 2022: FC Goa BREAK Barriers with Fan-Engagement – They say in sports, particularly in football, ‘you are nothing without the fans’. Keep this as the mantra, Indian Super League (ISL 2022) club FC Goa undertook a special and unique initiative to involve fans during last season’s ISL. With teams confined within bio-bubbles, fans not allowed inside the stadium, and strict Covid-19 protocols, FC Goa brought themselves close to their fans literally via the Forca Fan Feb and Road2Goa. Follow ISL 2022-23 Live updates on InsideSport.IN
In an exclusive conversation with InsideSport.IN, FC Goa’s Principle consultant, Parul Soni shared her and her team’s thoughts as to how the club brought themselves closer to the fans. “We wanted to keep the fans in the front, therefore they featured in our matchday posters, and full-score graphics, and the fans too sent their personalized messages.”
ISL 2022: FC Goa BREAK Barriers with Fan-Engagement, club reveals Mantra ‘if the fans can’t come to us, we will go to them’
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For an entire month in February, the Forca Fan Feb was introduced. FC Goa involved their fans in the form of social media takeovers, pictures of fans in match posters, Playing XI and match day posters.
InsideSport: What is the Forca Fan Feb?
FC Goa: In unprecedented times, we were tucked inside the bio bubble. At the start of the ISL campaign last season, we decided if the fans can’t come to us, we will go to the fans. Despite putting up a humbling performance on the pitch, we wanted to close it out on a memorable note. It has been the initiative to bring all the fans together and we are happy to say that this was a grand success.
InsideSport: This has been a unique initiative to involve the fans, with the first step being done, what is the next step?
FC Goa: As far as ISL is concerned, it is still a bit too early. but, when you are involving fans and brands, it s all about communication and engagement. In a sense, we have activated the fans. The idea is to use the fans to advocate our cause for football.
ISL 2022: FC Goa BREAK Barriers with Fan-Engagement, club reveals Mantra ‘if the fans can’t come to us, we will go to them’
Also read: ISL 2022-23: FC Goa appoints Gorka Azkorra and Joel Dones as part of new coaching team
InsideSport: What is your stand if the other clubs decide to take part in this trend?
FC Goa: We are all for it. The more the merrier. Football is a developing sport, so if the other clubs decided to tag in the conversation, we are very happy.
InsideSport: Can you tell us about Road2Goa?
FC Goa: Road2Goa was the perfect segway from ISL. The idea being since our fans themselves are players, managers, and analysts, so why don’t we put them on the field? We swapped places, we went off the pitch, and allowed the fans to take the pitch. It has been a hugely successful 5-a-side futsal tournament.
Winning isn’t only for the end. Every game matters with prizes to be earned every step of the way. This is your Road 2 Glory! 🏆#Road2Goa #ForcaGoa #ForcaFans pic.twitter.com/WdAf9S0E1J
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) April 2, 2022
InsideSport: What is your message to the fans?
FC Goa: We are very grateful and thankful to the fans. They have embraced everything that we have put out in the last 8-10 months. They have been extremely supportive of us, so we thank them wholeheartedly.
ISL 2022: FC Goa BREAK Barriers with Fan-Engagement, club reveals Mantra ‘if the fans can’t come to us, we will go to them’
