As we move down the history of Kerala Blasters, we find many players who made significant impacts on the fans with their performance.There were many heroic personalities worth mentioning. Some of their feats remain unsung. They had pulled off many spectacular performances in the blink of an eye.
Here is a short-list of those amazing lads, who were crucial for Blasters.
#5 Kervens Belfort
Although he has played only a single ISL season wearing the yellow jersey of the Blasters, that season was enough for Kervens Belfort to make a place for himself in the hearts of Kerala fans. He scored a paltry three goals for the Blasters last season. Those three goals don't tell the whole story. He had contributed to the team much more than just scoring goals.
The Haitian always puts up a show when he is in the field, with his wonderful skills. He is an expert in taking penalties and had scored a crucial one for the Blasters during the third season of ISL.
#4 Aaron Hughes
The Irish international was a sensational leader for the men in yellow. He played an important role in Kerala's journey to the finals. But, they were beaten by ATK 1-0 in the finals.
Though he had injury problems, he remained to be that factor that gave the team courage. He was the coordinator of the team. Whenever Hughes went for international duties, the team struggled. He stayed away from the dirty sides of being a defender. In fact, he has never been sent off by any means.
He formed an integral part of Kerala's defence along with Hengbart and had also scored a solitary goal from a header.
#3 Sandesh Jhingan
The Indian captain has never played for any other ISL franchise. He was a Kerala stalwart right from the beginning and that's one of the reasons why the management retained him this season. He was the emerging player of the inaugural edition and one of the revelations of ISL.
Like Hughes, he is a natural leader. He has the instincts of an ideal defender and has been loyal to Blasters since the inception of the ISL. Kerala fans regard him as the 'Captain of the South' because he is a versatile talent and can play anywhere in the defence. His splendid performances earned him the captain's armband this season.
His loyalty and passion for the Blasters earned him a spot on this list.
#2 Josué Prieto Currias
From La Masia to Kochi, it was a roller coaster ride for Josu. With a single goal, he made his way into the hearts of Kochi.
The player shares an unbreakable bond with Kerala's fans. He had several posts on Twitter revealing his love for the franchise.
Despite lacking goals in his account, he created many. He was a midfield maestro in his last season for Kerala. Then, under Steve Coppell, Josu played as a wing back and he played it to the utmost perfection. What should be noted is that he evolved from a midfielder to a defender, which shows his versatility.
Next up is the bm for Blasters.Any guesses?
#1 Iain Hume
The Canadian international remains at the top. With his performances, Hume lit up the entire stadium with yellow colour and his contributions to the team are unparalleled. He played an integral part in the first season, where Kerala emerged as runner-ups.
Hume brings a lot of experience to the team. Arguably the best player of ISL, he holds the record for the most goals across all seasons.His eye-catching goals are a treat to watch for neutral fans.
He is not only a physical presence but also a mental power in the field. He provides confidence in his team members. In every chant of the fans lies Hume; he is their hero, their star, nothing can remove him from the hearts of the Kerala fans.