By Debayan Mukherjee
Kolkata, May 18 (IANS): A tattoo on his chest, done to feel the same pain as the players felt during the 2015-16 season, made so much noise that it brought members of Chelsea Football Club to Sparsho Ghosh's home.
A 24-year-old media science student, Sparsho got the Chelsea FC tattoo inked on his chest soon after the Blues finished a poor tenth in the 2015-16 English Premier League season, best remembered for underdogs Leicester City winning the league.
It was a heartbreak for the fans as much as the players as Chelsea endured a disastrous defence of their Premier League crown.
It was the worst defence of a Premier League title ever - bypassing the Blackburn Rovers side of 1996 and David Moyes' Manchester United team of 2014.
"I wanted to feel the same pain as the players felt. That's when I decided to get the tattoo done," Sparsho told IANS.
Chelsea FC India Supporters Club, the officially recognised wing of the London-based outfit in the country, took note of Sparsho's tattoo, a black and white bodyart of the club badge on the right side of his chest, and got in touch with the club to then shoot his three and a half minutes video which also features his mother.
The video, which is on Chelsea's official Facebook page, shows Sparsho narrating his journey of how he became a Chelsea fan in 2004 when his father, an East Bengal player, was watching a title decider between the Blues and Manchester United.
Sparsho then speaks about the 2015-16 season and how he was driven to get inked.
"We were the league winners in the previous season. Hazard was the PFA player of the year and Diego Costa scored 20 goals. The next season we started off bad, very bad. We finished 10th but in that season. I was thinking 'what is Hazard going through right now.' They are feeling the ultimate pain. They are the ones for whom I am actually supporting Chelsea," he said.
The video, posted on May 14, has been heavily shared on social media, making Sparsho believe the Chelsea players must also have seen it.
"I am sure they have seen it. It's a surreal feeling. I have a mission to watch them live and interact with the players. Half of that is accomplished. I am part of the club now.
Sparsho plans to watch a Chelsea game at their home ground in Stamford Bridge by the end of the year.
"I have already started my visa formalities. I am looking forward to going there and now I hope the players would recognise me!
"My life revolves around Chelsea. I always ask my mother to watch games with me. She says she doesn't understand, but I insist I will help her. I have my rituals. I remember moments of joy and anguish. They are a big part of my life and I am glad that it is being recognised," Sparsho said.
Chelsea finished third this season behind winners Manchester City and Liverpool, and also stand a chance to win the Europa League for the second time if they beat arch-rivals Arsenal in the final on May 30.