For the past three seasons of the Indian Super League, the Kerala Blasters have had many stars on their team, who have helped the Blasters reach the ISL final twice in the three seasons.
Players like Josu Currais and David James are no longer a part of the Blasters side but still, they are fondly remembered by the home fans, who still cheer for them.
The players, in return, have also shown their affection towards the club and with the new season underway, they expressed how they still miss the Kerala side and wished them all the best for the new campaign!
#1 Mehtab Hossain
The 32-year-old Indian midfielder has been a part of the Kerala Blasters team for the last three seasons. He has been an integral part of the team and was part of its ups and downs over the past editions.
He controlled the Blasters midfield and the fans loved him for the role he played in the team. He is currently playing for Jamshedpur FC in ISL 2017 and that too under former Blasters manager Steve Coppell.
Hossain has not forgotten his time at the club and after the match against Kerala on Friday, he heaped praise on the Blasters and their fans, stating that the time he spent with the Yellow Army is unforgettable and that playing front of the home fans was a unique experience.
#2 Aaron Hughes
The Northern Irish international was a part of the Blasters side in the 2016 season of the Indian Super League. He captained the Kerala side over the course of the campaign and led the team to the finals for the second time.
Hughes was one of the biggest fan favourites last season and had a huge role to play in his side's brilliant run. But as his contract ended, he joined Heart of Midlothian for the 2017-18 season.
Before the Kerala Blasters' 2017 season opener against ATK, Hughes extended his wishes to his ex-teammates, fans and the club. This shows that Hughes has not forgotten his former team and their incredible fans.
#3 Cédric Hengbart
Cédric Hengbart was the part of the Kerala Blasters' side for two seasons of the Indian Super League in 2014 and 2016. In both editions, he was an integral part of the Kerala Blasters defence and helped them reach the finals on occasions.
Blasters fans loved the tall and powerful central defender and also expressed their disappointment when Hengbart joined Maltese club Mosta.
The Frenchman has also not forgotten the club from Kochi and ahead of the start of the new season, he wished them the best of luck and stated that he will be their first fan, thus showing his affection towards the club.
#4 Josu
Josu is one of the biggest fan favourites among Kerala Blasters fans, who wanted the La Masia product back at the Kochi-based club this season. However, the team management opted against signing the Spanish player, who is now at USA-based club FC Cincinnati.
Josu has praised the Blasters fans on many occasions. Also, he takes out time to reply to wishes and tweets from the Blasters fans on social media.
The attacker shared sent his wishes to his former team ahead of the new season and retweeted many fans' and former players' tweets. This shows that Josu still loves Kerala Blasters and the fantastic time he had at the club.
#5 David James
David James, the Kerala captain for the inaugural season of Indian Super League, was also the manager of the side in the same edition. He led the team from the front to take the club to final in the first season of the ISL.
He was a huge fan favourite among the fans in the first season, who still love the 47-year-old goalkeeper and would love to see him return to the club.
James also showed his love and affection towards his former team and even after leaving the club, he has been up to date with the latest happenings at the Blasters and has expressed his views on the team on social media.