“The” capo has passed away.
The man. The father. The friend. The rival. The colleague. The human being.
The man from Kispest.
Probably many different thoughts flare up in our hearts and minds when we hear the word capo, but we can all picture a strong young man standing on top of the fence, body tensed, megaphone in hand, shouting at the top of his lungs and putting his heart and soul into urging the team on.
For life and death.
Gergő Bordás was exactly like that. Someone who did not say “forward”, but “follow me!”
Kispest, the Honvéd football team and the supporter community were his life. We outsiders may never fully understand how strong a bond, how exemplary a sense of comradeship ties together those people who, viewed from afar, appear “only” as a single (red-and-)black mass shouting “Only Kispest!” But being a supporter is a way of life, and being a capo is not only a way of life but also a responsibility: traditions and the spirit have to be preserved and carried forward, while setting an example to others through our actions.
I often say that the supporter community is nothing other than the story of The Paul Street Boys dressed in modern clothes, because the lads in the stands fight against their rivals for their own ground and their own group in much the same way, setting an example of comradeship and solidarity. For Bordi and his companions, Lipták is the Ground, Bozsik is the Arena, and being from Kispest is what they represent through thick and thin, defending it against anything and anyone.
That is why it was so heartbreaking at the memorial held on the day of his death to see the candles burning sadly in front of the huge (Kispest) Honvéd crest. Beneath it, Bordi’s photo, the red-and-black scarf and the megaphone completed the supporters’ memorial, which later also rested among the wreaths at the funeral. The snow-white coffin was covered by a red-and-black shirt and two scarves, one belonging to Honvéd and the other to the group called Brigate from Venice, which will now be with Bordi in the stands above as well.
On Thursday morning, hundreds accompanied Gergő Bordás on his final journey at Kispesti Új Temető. Alongside family and friends, numerous supporter groups from the capital and every part of the country were represented, while Budapest Honvéd employees, coaches, first-team players and staff also said farewell to one of the leading figures of the Kispest support.
Our supporters lit flares and formed a guard of honour along the road to the grave before Bordi was laid to rest. It was moving when, after placing the flowers of remembrance into the grave, we looked up and saw not only the hazy blue sky, but also the red, black and white façade of the Bozsik Arena. Our home.
We took a few hesitant steps towards the stadium, and all we could think about was the unavoidable moment drawing closer when we would be left alone with our thoughts, the tormenting absence and the pain that would be burned into our hearts forever.
We left the cemetery and slowly everything fell silent.
Even the megaphone remained silently quiet.
