Istanbul:There is something about Besiktas

There’s something about Besiktas

Something I am trying to understand since moving here to Istanbul is the passion I have for the Besiktas football team. Ever since going to watch them back in September at the ?nönü Stadium week in week out my passion is growing. I have always been a keen follower of football since my primary years; every opportunity I get to kick a ball I take yet my age is certainly an obstacle in any full participation of playing. Coming here to Istanbul to live was a major choice I made and getting to grips with the changes, however those changes are not so frightening, it is more about adapting. Life is not that different living here in Istanbul to my place of birth in England, I guess I could say in England things are more conservative in certain areas and regulations kind of prevent any flamboyant or more open possibilities than I often see here in Istanbul.

I think back to a trip I took on a ferry to Princes Island back in the summer. I remember the young lads sitting opposite staring at me in curiosity and once I had broken the silence we talked about football, what they did for a living. Though they were keen to talk about Chelsea and Manchester United from England and surprisingly at the time Turkey joining the EU, looking back I wish I had asked them who they followed but at the time I was overawed and occupied by the panoramic view of Istanbul from the ferry. But looking back I think now football is universally a talking point and recently I read a poster at the IICS School at the Marmara Campus “every child deserves the right to play football”. There I had also seen girls doing skill full tricks and having the football ability most of my friends would have craved for when were teenagers. So what is about Besiktas BJK that has got to me??

[SinglePic not found]I have read about the Çar?? supporters (Çar?? meaning in Turkish, market, bazaar or group of shops) which has a broader reach beyond football ‘’Çar?? is against anything except Atatürk!”or “Çar??, Atatürk hariç her ?eye kar??!”, yet I did not fully understand the background of the Çar?? supporter .I had done some searching around the internet for explanations but I wanted to see for myself. So in the company of my wife I set off to find the Çar?? supporters shop in Besiktas, in fact it doesn’t take much to work out where exactly it lies once you researched the background of the Çar?? .It is smack bang in the heart of the Besiktas busy market area, an area surrounded by monuments of the Kartal (Eagle),it all starts to make sense .The Kartal the logo of Besiktas FC ,Çar?? derived from the market place in Besiktas ,yet for reasons I can’t establish they the Çar?? separate themselves from the Besiktas avid supporters and are recognised by their impressive Çar?? logo and at the matches you will find them in the Kapali (the covered section).Like in England famous clubs have a what they call a firm and I guess the firm of Besiktas could be the Çar??.

Having got the basic understanding of the Çar?? I found myself absolutely glued to the TV watching Besiktas play Manchester United at Old Trafford in England. Suddenly I was nervous, full of anticipation, and totally confused at my passion I was showing for Besiktas. Being from England you would think my natural reaction would be to shout come on United! But ever since attending the first meeting between these two teams back in September 2009 at the ?nönü Stadium in Istanbul I follow any news I can about Besiktas with both ears and eyes wide open. I now understand why! Or this is how it is for me personally, simply living amongst and being surrounded by the atmosphere, my relations all passionate supporters of Besiktas, frequent shopping trips to the market in Besiktas. Everywhere I look I see the Kartal and the black white stripes. So on Wednesday 25 November 2009 me and my wife scream and cheer at the TV screen, Besiktas take the lead against all odds and the expectations. I can’t believe it and also I am thinking there is a long way to go before this game finishes but they are coming off a really good win against rivals Fernerbahce at the weekend.

[SinglePic not found]After 85 minutes knowing how many times I have seen Manchester United pull off a game in the dying seconds was too much for me and after 88 minutes and with 5 minutes of added time Besiktas still leading by one goal to nil I just couldn’t bear it anymore I had to go and stand on the balcony and close my eyes. All around the neighbourhood I could hear sounds of ooh and ha, I was thinking oh no please don’t tell me United have scored, I peeped through the blinds I could see my wife now standing and shouting at the TV. Still I couldn’t go and watch then what seemed like eternity and I smoked three cigarettes in 8 minutes!! I heard an almighty roar from the neighbourhood and my wife came running to balcony with a big smile on her face. Phew I looked up to the heavens and thanked the almighty for this one.

I stayed up to 2am and watched the game all over again and the after match reports, yes United fielded a young squad but credit needs to be given when deserved, it was a big win for Besiktas and even a bigger win in historical terms and an achievement . Next day guess where I went? Yes Besiktas .However expecting to see the array of BJK flags everywhere I was somewhat disappointed, got a feeling it may be something to do with the majority preparing for the Bayram festive holiday period. The normally overcrowded Çar?? market area looking relatively quiet for once but I still sensed the feeling of the Kartal and a quick visit to the Çar?? supporters shop reminded me why I have that growing feeling for Besiktas. Looking ahead to next game I and my wife hope to sample what it is like to stand there in the middle of the Çar?? supporters in full song, an experience that will surely leave us craving for more in the future. I and my wife are not politically motivated individuals our fascination and passion is the atmosphere of Besiktas and the anthems sung by the Çar?? supporters.

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