ISL 2019-20: 5 ways NorthEast United can improve next season

#4 Regain fan support

Highlander Brigade

There is no doubt that fans have played a pivotal role in every football club's history. While the supporters stay with their heroes in bad times, continuous failures often take away the spectators permanently.

NorthEast United have had a similar story to tell in their Indian Super League run so far. The club had an average attendance of 28,000+ in the inaugural season and was followed by 24000+ in the next. However, the seasons that came by saw a gradual drop in numbers in the stands. The fans started drifting away from the club, all due to back-to-back disappointments.

.@NEUtdFC @TheJohnAbraham #WakeUpNEUFC #IndianFootball #HighlanderBrigade #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/IFVxr6cZRh

— Highlander Brigade (@HighlanderB8) January 29, 2020

In the previous season, when NorthEast United played their first-ever ISL playoff, the Highlander Brigade, came out in full support of their favourite club. But, the management failed to retain the services of manager Eelco Schattorie and all-time top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche even after open requests from the fan groups.

These, when combined with the defeats this season, made the supporters speak up against the management and declare a boycott of home games. A meeting with the management assured the fans that a solution was on the cards, but it remains to be seen whether the officials keep their word.

The best thing NorthEast United can do in pre-season would be to win back the lost support of their fans. A hopeful managerial appointment and few good signings will bring back the supporters to the stands. Any club today would be aware of the role played by their fans and would do everything possible to make their home advantage count.