Fans who showed passion and support for their favourite Barclays Premier League teams were rewarded with VIP seats to watch live matches, special coaching sessions with former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly and the opportunity to take part in the #YouAreFootball Experiment at the BPL Live event at Zoo Lake Sport Club, Johannesburg this past weekend.
The #YouAreFootball Experiment monitored the heart rates of fans and ex-players simultaneously in South Africa and the UK on during some of the biggest games of the season – Arsenal v Manchester City and Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur. The experiment was held as part of the Barclays ‘Thank you’ campaign to thank the fans, community heroes, players and managers from around the world who help make the Barclays Premier League what it is.
Over 30,000 fans flocked to the Barclays Premier League Live event over the weekend including Rishan Kulfath (pictured), 31, who was selected as one of the Manchester City super fans.
Kulfath, a home loans consultant from Winchester Hills, attended the event with his wife Samantha and six-month-old son Raohil. He said: “It was fantastic to be selected as one of the #YouAreFootball fans and have my heart rate monitored during the match. I am a huge Manchester City fan and never miss a game, which sometimes gets me in trouble with my wife!
“It was a really fantastic event and to have my heart rate monitored alongside legends like Marcel Desailly and fans in the UK was very special.”
Also being monitored during the 1-1 draw was Arsenal fan Mcgee Gede, 22, a construction manager from Edenvale who was selected by the Barclays ‘Thank you Squads’ at the event after showing great support and passion for his team and the Barclays Premier League.
Speaking at the event, Gege said: “I am about the same age as some of Arsenal players like Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott so I feel I grew up with them and I am like them.
“I have followed them through their careers and, despite the fact that they were not playing in the match, to be part of the #YouAreFootball Experiment and represent my team was very memorable.”
Commenting on the experiment, David Wheldon, managing director of brand, reputation, citizenship and marketing at Barclays, said: “Fans are at the very heart of football and help make the Barclays Premier League what it is. The #YouAreFootball Experiment is a fantastic way to show our appreciation to the fans for their support. South African fans are some of the most passionate and dedicated in the world, so to be able to thank those fans by hosting Barclays Premier League Live and getting them involved in the #YouAreFootball Experiment has been a great way to say thank you.”
For more information visit facebook.com/barclaysfootball and join the conversation on Twitter with #YouAreFootball.