Former Kerala Blasters FC coach-player reflects on ISL debut season and his rivalry with Marco Materazzi
Former England goalkeeper David James has looked back on his early experiences in Indian football, recalling how the Kerala Blasters FC fanbase was born during the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) season in 2014 and sharing a memorable exchange with Marco Materazzi.
James arrived in India as the Blasters’ player-manager, leading the Kochi-based side all the way to the final where they narrowly lost 0-1 to ATK. While the result was disappointing, the season proved to be the foundation for what would become one of the most passionate and loyal fan followings in Indian football.
“The crowd blew me away”
James admitted that his expectations before the first game in Kochi were modest, especially given the team’s poor pre-season. But the reception took him by surprise.
“We were a new team and didn’t have great results in pre-season, so I wasn’t expecting much of a crowd. But there were 30-34,000 for the first game. Walking out and hearing the different drum corps around the stadium, all in rhythm — it was magical, absolutely magical,” James said on The Yellow Wave Podcast.
Initially, the fans filled the stands with banners referencing European clubs, especially Liverpool — James’ former team. But as the tournament progressed, the supporters began forging their own identity.
“At first, there were Liverpool flags, some Manchester United ones too. But then the Blasters supporters decided, ‘We’re not Premier League supporters, we are Blasters fans.’ They banned foreign flags, and from then on, it was only Blasters banners. That was beautiful because it was true,” he recalled.
The fiery clash with Materazzi
The 2014 season wasn’t just about fans; it also brought drama on the pitch. One of the standout ties was the semi-final against Chennaiyin FC, managed by Marco Materazzi.
Kerala won the first leg 3-0 in Kochi, but Chennaiyin fought back in the return leg, making it 3-3 on aggregate against 10-man Blasters. Just when extra time looked set for a Chennaiyin fairytale, Stephen Pearson struck late to send Kerala into the final.
For James, the victory carried extra satisfaction.
He revealed that in an earlier league meeting, Materazzi had made a remark after a late Chennaiyin winner.
“When we lost to them at home in the league, Materazzi told me, ‘You’re better off being born lucky than rich.’ I wasn’t happy with that,” James admitted.
The semi-final win gave him the perfect chance for revenge.
“After Pearson scored in extra time, it was absolute elation. After the game, I told Materazzi, ‘You’re better off being lucky than being rich.’ So, I got my back on him,” he laughed.
A lasting bond with Kerala
James returned for a second spell in 2017-18 as head coach, where he again led the Blasters to improved performances and near playoff qualification. Even today, seven years later, he remains a beloved figure among the club’s loyal fans.
The memories of packed stadiums, yellow banners, and the unforgettable rivalry with Materazzi remain defining chapters of both his own career and Kerala Blasters’ ISL story.
