Pitch Side - Gomo Kelate Gomo

10 years ago Kelantan FA debuted in the Super League 2009 season after earning promotion. The Red Warriors competed to contest to win trophies and that they have walked the talk since the 2007 season. From the bottom of the Malaysian football tier, building and building towards the Malaysian Super League, eventually capturing the grand prize in domestic league football, back to back. Right up to the 2013 season, some may argue 2015. It is all debatable.

During that compete to create history period. Their colourful fans, clad with the recognisable and vibrant red and white. Often colour Kota Bharu and beyond with their enthusiastic, glowing, thundering passion that not many could rival at the time. It is that period of history, generated a lot of faithful memories among their older fans who didn’t have much growing. Had the chance to forge great memories with their families, neighbours, and those who shared the common bond, Gomo Kelate Gomo!

Several fans reached out. And shared their fond times with The Red Warriors. The following were shared by them, and some parted are edited, and translated.

“When the name Peter Bulter came up at Kelantan in 2008, I was asking myself what’s going on? Despite the appointed was short lived, and he came back for round two. My curiosity of a state team that I had no attachment with started. I enjoyed their football and I enjoyed the fans. Their togetherness and warmness, welcoming me whenever the team came to town, things that I will never forget. Their fans made me a fan of the club. And that was unexpected!” - One fan from Subang.

“I wish that my grandfather was around when Kelantan came up. Growing up, we watched football, English football, especially during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. We always wondered how would Kelantan fared if they competed with Pahang, Penang, Perak, and Selangor during the turn of the century. I bet if he saw the successes that came around the 2010’s, he would have been a proud Kelantanese! “ - One fan from Kota Bharu

Not only expressed their recollection but their hopes for the East Coast side.

“As mismanagement took over the minds of people in power. As it was evident on and off the pitch. Fans just got tired of them. How much can passion sustain a period of carelessness?” - One expressive Kelantanese fan from Tumpat.

“No doubt, the power shift from the management helped us strive, but after another power shift beyond that happened beyond the club and internal problems became, (Sigh), I don’t know. I never thought that our decline would be as such. But I have faith someday after all of the ill-genuine people are smoked out from the club. And the right people takeover, with a singular vision of rising the Red Warriors. We can be back stronger and wiser than ever!“ - One Kelantanese fan from the west coast optimistically expressed.

There’s so much more to share actually. But will end it here. And hope to share more stories of fans of the Red Warriors.