Pre – Season begins with a bang, for FC Pune City fans

Pune: The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team FC Pune City lived up to their promise of giving fans a terrific 2015 Indian Super League pre-season start by organizing the ‘meet & greet’ with the club squad at Green Box, Pune on August 8, 2015, Saturday.

The fans or call them the Orange Army were treated to an evening to remember with live music, chant competitions, tattoo artists, skill competitions and over and above all to meet the FC Pune City team players. “We are a fan centric club. It’s our endeavour to give our fans reasons to support their own club. We will use “football” to create a community of passionate, conscientious and proud Punekars. Fan meets are the platform to propagate that philosophy,” explained club CEO Mr. Gaurav Modwel.

The FC Pune City fans made their way to the venue from 5 PM onwards. As the sun went further down, the numbers kept increasing and by the time the FC Pune City players made their way to the Green Box. It was an evening filled with fun and entertainment which kept the fans engaged. There was a tattoo corner for those wanted to get themselvesinked with FC Pune City colours and logo.

A photo booth was created with a football field in background and some exciting props for fans to take selfies with their groups and upload them instantly on social media platforms.Fans also got a chance to exhibit their football skills while participating in the ‘Hit the cross bar’ contest. SuryanGhatge, Khalid Khan, Ganesh Nage, PrashantChavan, VenkateshBhandare, Gaurav Dhawalkarand Abdul Rehman all hit the cross bar to win the contest.

There was also a chanting competition for those who wanted to test their vocal chords before the start of the season.Sandeep and Dheeraj, who createdthe unique chant of ‘Take me home the victory road’bagged FC Pune City goodies. For the ones who had an artistic bend, there was the Orange Army logo contest. Rohit Narayan, Meenaz Shaikh and EshaDaftarytook home a goody bag each for making the best logos for the Orange Army.

FC Pune City fan Snehal Bhatt who was present at the event said that he has never seen such fan engagement activities done in India for any sport or club. “FC Pune City took this platform not only to show fans what they can do but also to take their suggestions and get them as much involved as they can in the club. It feels good to have FC Pune City as our own club,” Bhatt explained.

Mr. Modwel further reiterated that, “Today’s event was designed to ensure that fans closely interact with their team and enjoy an array of contests. For me the highlight was interacting with our youth team and their parents. Their dreams and positivity is contagious and is what drives us.”

Impressed with the large fan turnout, FC Pune City players decided to surprise the fans by dividing themselves in to two teams of five players each and exhibit their skills. Fans got an early glimpse in to what was in the store for them in the upcoming season from their favourite club.

Just a few weeks back, FC Pune City announced Romanian striker Adrian Mutu as their marquee player. They also announced the signing of Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora before which they signed Costa Rican striker Yendrick Ruiz, left back Nicky Shorey and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from England to strengthen their composition for the upcoming season.