An Interview With… Feroze Ali
Since the season ended, and on such a high, it seems every Chelsea supporter I know has been seeking ways to keep thinking about the Blues until the 12/13 campaign starts up. Can you blame us? After that historical, spectacular double-winning FA Cup and Champions League finish, our love for Chelsea has reached an all-time high!
I’m no different, and one of the ways I’ve been keeping Chelsea foremost in my thoughts is by talking to other supporters who are expressing their dedication to the club in creative ways. This week I had the pleasure of chatting a bit with Feroze Ali, a fellow Canadian and Chelsea supporter. Many of you will know Feroze as the bloke who made the incredible, tear-jerker Champions’ League themed Chelsea video “Against All Odds” that’s been circulating around the web. Here’s what he had to say about our beloved Blues:
DK: How long have you been supporting Chelsea and what drew you to them over any other club?
FA: I started supporting the blues late 2002. My cousins always used to talk about the Italian Maestro, Gianfranco Zola. And once I saw him play, he became my favourite player. Ever since then I started using Chelsea whenever I used to play FIFA and got to know all their players. Then started watching club football, so the main reason is Gianfranco!
DK: I get asked all the time, so I’ll ask you too – how does someone from Canada become so dedicated to an English football club?
FA: My brother has been supporting United for quite a while now, so I started watching football because of him. Still remember in 1999 when he woke all of us up, in Dubai (where I was born) when United unfortunately turned things around against Munich to win the treble. After that day I really wanted to start following club football.
DK: CFC fans are very creative and do a number of different things to show their love for the Blues. Why did you choose video production as your outlet?
FA: I started making videos in 2004, once again because of my brother started making compilations for fun. I then used to make a lot of compilations as a hobby, but then stopped because it was too time consuming. However, when we won the double in 2009-2010 I just wanted to make a compilation for that occasion. And the feedback I got from everyone was unreal. And then I continued making Chelsea compilations and everyone loved them!
DK: There are lots of amateur CFC videos on YouTube, etc, made by the fans. What sets yours apart?
FA: Most Chelsea fan videos used to have music only, or way too many effects and they weren’t emotional compilations. I always try to use commentary, not sure why people cut it out. And never do I stick to one style. For instance, Fabio Borini was leaving Chelsea so my friend Yusuf and I decided to compile a video for him to
stay. And in the video we made it seem as if he stayed after watching our video! Unfortunately he didn’t stay, but he saw the video and loved it. Not many compilers do these sort of things.
DK: Do you current work in video production or is this a career path you’d like to explore?
FA: At this very moment I don’t work for anyone, still doing it as a hobby. And I would have said no to having a career in this path a few years ago but now the answer would be yes without a doubt! Adore making videos/movies/compilations.
DK: Do you have a specific CFC player or topic you most enjoy making videos about?
FA: I love making compilations on Chelsea’s glory! When we win a trophy it is just amazing and so much fun to compile, to see celebrations over and over is brilliant. I also adore making emotional compilations, it was very difficult to make the “Chelsea FC – Blue Roller Coaster Ride” compilation about all controversial things that have happened to Chelsea in the Champions League. And I remember I ended the video with a “To Be Continued…” because I just knew that one day Lampard, Terry, Cech and Drogba will lift the Champions League cup with the mighty Blues and I will continue the video. And so I did continue it last week (Chelsea FC – Against All Odds), and enjoyed working on it the most by far!
DK: We love Feroze’s videos – he really captures the emotions that Chelsea supporters feel and expresses them in a way that is poignant, fun, and speaks to all different types of fans. We’re thrilled to see the recognition he’s been getting for his efforts; it’s clear he’s truly “proper Chels.” Click these links to check out Feroze’s video compilations on YouTube or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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