As in the world over, sports plays a crucial role in Turkey. Especially football arouses Turkish people’s interest regardless of their gender and age. Is it possible for a Turkish person to think of a life without football? None whatsoever. Regarding football clubs, two groups of football teams which are Istanbul teams and Anatolian teams come forward. Among those in Istanbul, BJK, GS, and FB are very popular. Each of them has its own fan club. The Carsı Fan Club, belonging to BJK, differs from the others in terms of its creative slogans, its social solidarity, and its interest in political issues.
The Carsı Fan Club finds out a lot of creative slogans. Firstly, the fan club supports its football team with its own slogans. For example, when there is a football match between BJK and another team, The Carsı Fan Club creates one or more slogans for its team. Secondly, there is a very different community in the club, so many people use their mind and create various slogans. Alen Markaryan, who is a cheer leader in the Carsı Fan Club, says that “We are following a diary. Also, there are many students in the fan club, so every day many different slogans are being written.” Thirdly, The Carsı Fan Club is supporting to aid people in need with its slogans. For instance, when the earthquake hit the province called Van, Carsı supported earthquake victims with its “Van is cold.” slogan. In brief, the Carsı Fan Club, with its own creative and supportive slogans, attracks attention to many issues.
The Carsı Fan Club is exhibiting many examples of social solidarity. First of all, it has supported very important activities in the world. For instance, its members donated blood to Kızılay before the match of BJK in 2007. Secondly, it is against racism. For example, it protected blackish football player of Barcelona with its slogan of “Carsı is against racism – All of us are Eto.”. Thirdly, the Carsı is giving support to the social responsibility projects. For instance, it realised an organization for orphan children in 2007. In summary, The Carsı Fan Club is showing social solidarity to instill cooperation into all people.
Along with these, the Carsı Fan Club is interested in politics. Firstly, it indicates that it is against terrorist actions. For instance, they protested terrorist events happening in Turkey in 2007 and 2008 with its banners. Secondly, during the Gezi Events, it backed up these incidents. For example, when the events occurred, the Carsı was in the area. Thirdly, the Carsı Fan Club also created a vehicle which is called POMA. It used this vehicle against TOMAs, riot control vehicles used by the police. In short, the fan group is involved with politics and it defends its opinions with its actions.
To conclude, the Carsı Fan Club is the most prominent fan group among many supporter groups. That The Carsı Fan Club is liked by everyone stems from its members’commitment to each other. In my opinion, this fan group is apolitical, independent, powerful, and sensitive.