By Chris Evans
I’m a Watford fan, so I have a complex relationship with football. There’s the occasional extreme high, but most of the time it requires hours with a therapist. A highlight has always been going to away games. A trip to Newcastle, including a stop for fish and chips in Grimsby, was one of the highlights. We’ll ignore the game in Shrewsbury. It was a very quiet coach of supporters on the way home, having lost 4-1.
When I found out Didim was home to its first-ever professional football team a couple of weeks ago, I had to investigate. I’ve been to sporting events all over the world, but never to a Turkish football match. I really didn’t know what to expect.
My first preconception evaporated immediately. I did not know how much the tickets would be. In my wildest dreams, I’d never have guessed correctly. 50tl for an afternoon of football is unbelievably cheap. The staff and security were incredibly friendly and had already set the tone for the day. This was going to be fun.
You can’t take drinks in, but there is a food and drink area with the same prices you’d find elsewhere. At no point is the new club trying to inflate prices to make money. A lovely change from places I’ve been to in other countries.
I joined up with a small group of expat friends and we found some seats in the shade towards the back of the main stand. It proved to be an inspired decision. We were right next to the group I’m calling the Didim Ultras.
The passion they had for the team was extraordinary. For the entire afternoon, they didn’t stop signing. They even had a drum to keep the noise going. I spent most of the afternoon watching them as they provided so much entertainment. They were worth much more than the entrance fee, even before I thought about the football. The only time they stopped to take a breath was when I asked if I could take their photo. They filled up with smiles and I felt as though I’d been adopted by a very friendly, if noisy, group.
The game itself wasn’t great, as two evenly matched teams cancelled each other out. There were some very good players on show and it was certainly a much higher standard than I expected. Certainly better than that team from Junction 10 of the M1.
The only goal was a stunner of a direct free kick. It highlighted why the club had spent so much money improving all the facilities and making the stand safe. The moment the goal went in, I had to check if there had been an earthquake as the ultras had the place rocking by jumping up and down. I couldn’t help but join in as the atmosphere they’d created swept me along for the ride.
The final whistle blew after 6 minutes of injury time (I spotted that bit as they held an electronic board up showing it). It was time to make my way out of the stadium. I’m glad it took us a few minutes as the players came over to celebrate the win with the fans in the stand.
The club captain led the chanting. He had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand, a bit like Freddie Mercury at Wembley. He had them going silent, then chanting at the top of their voices. The connection between fans and players was extraordinary. It’s something money can’t buy. When he’d had fun with the crowd, the entire team exploded into a group hug, bouncing up and down like the ultras had been all afternoon. I felt as though I’d just witnessed something very special.
We all walked up Marina Road and had a pit stop at Yas Inn for a refreshment or two before catching the Dolmus home. I’d had a day where I caught up with old friends and made some new ones.
It had been an experience I can only ever recommend. My only downside at the moment is finding out more about the club and fixtures. The swift move from Aydin to Didim means there’s a little catching up to do, but I’m sure it will happen.
Even if you don’t like football, the experience and atmosphere were worth every second. It’s one of the cheapest days out I’ve ever had. It’s safe with people being passionate, but also incredibly respectful.
I had a real sense this is a club with huge ambition, wanting to be part of the community and bring success to our town. It’s worth a trip, as there’s something very special brewing down Marina Road.