Spring Is Just Around the Corner

The autumn was a mixed bag. In late summer, we were all on a high after yet another qualification for the Champions League — but the higher you fly, the harder you fall. In the league, our performances were seriously lacking, and the team never really seemed to find a proper rhythm. That left us in 5th place at the end of the autumn, which is the worst position since the 2017/18 season, excluding the COVID season, which had fewer matches before Christmas, where F.C. Copenhagen went into the winter break in 6th place, a full 18 points behind F.C. Midtjylland.

Despite inconsistent performances and results in the league, as well as stand closures, the autumn still ended with an impressive average attendance of 25,985 in the Superliga and almost sold-out away sections for nearly every match. And that is exactly how it should be at F.C. Copenhagen. Fan culture has many different expressions in FCK — and thankfully so. With such a broad fan base, from those who have been there since the beginning and stood on Nedre C since 1995, to the younger and more vocal fans in Section 12, it is only natural that support can look different. But there should be no doubt that the goal is the same.

To lift the team toward new success in pursuit of the only things that matter at F.C. Copenhagen: league titles and cup trophies. Even when starting the spring in 5th place, the demands and expectations remain the same. That can be tough as a fan, because the margin for disappointment certainly doesn’t get any smaller with those expectations. And it can be tough as a player, because the praise is enormous when expectations are met — but we are also ready to speak up when performances are not good enough. The very next match, however, we are there again, supporting the team on the pitch and believing in victory. It is a great and demanding pressure to be under as a player and coach, especially in difficult periods. But as Neestrup — and coaches and leaders before him — have said, that is the reality of being at F.C. Copenhagen, and it must never change.

Spring will be tough from the very first whistle, starting with an away match in Herning, where we have historically struggled. Our section is once again sold out, and the players need all the support they can get. So let’s stand together as fans this spring, across all stands at Parken — from the “old grumpy men and women” on Nedre C to the atmosphere creators in Section 12 — so the players have no doubt that we have their backs and are with them all the way. Hopefully, we can turn our current position into one more worthy of FCK and at the same time qualify for the cup final, which will be played at Parken.

See you on Sunday!