It was two years on from the end of the First World War (1914-1918) and residents of Istanbul were still recovering from the repercussions.  

Ottoman participation in the ‘Great War’ ultimately lead to its demise leaving citizens in search of a new way of life after almost 500 years.    

Just as they were finding their way, on the morning of 16 March 1920, Istanbul locals woke up under dark clouds once more.  Their beloved city was seized in a foreign military coup. 

The Istanbul they had known was no more.  Overnight they had become second class citizens to foreign military officers.  Their seats on public transport had to be given up along with their civil rights. 

Football soon became the only source of entertainment in the city.  French and English soldiers formed teams and would sometimes play against local Turkish sides (namely Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Altinordu) to help raise their profile within the community.

A total of 80 matches were played against Turkish opposition over a 5 year period.  Fenerbahce featured in 50 of these, winning 41, drawing 7 and losing only 2. 

Each victory for a Turkish team was viewed as a form of revenge over the unwanted guests.  Local patriotism had peaked and football was a means for its release. 

The General Harrington Cup was the prized tournament played between all sides.  Fenerbahce were the only Turkish team to successfully lift the trophy, doing so on 29 June 1923 and driving the locals into a state of euphoria in the process. 

The once shy Turkish spectators got their voices heard with passionate cries of, “ya ya ya, sa sa sa, Fenerbahce cok yasa” [pronounced: ya ya ya sha sha sha Fenerbahche chok yasha].  In simple terms, ‘Long Live Fenerbahce’.

The pride of the native Istanbul resident was restored courtesy of Fenerbahce.  

NOTE: 

Click here to read the first 3 parts of anglofeb.com's editorial series on Fenerbahce's glorious history