Football club Gomos in Norg has been around for 80 years and that is greatly celebrated. In addition to a party tent and a gala, there was auction that raised money for a new club building. The proceeds amounted to 146,451 euros.
“It was fantastic, I can only say that we had a wonderful week together,” says board member Reint-Jan Auwema. “Everything was easy. Around two hundred volunteers helped to make it a fantastic week.”
In addition to the festivities for young and old, an auction ran through the jubilee week as a common thread. Auwema: “It was a week to celebrate, not just to generate money.” Companies were called with a modest club of people. “Not the best work,” he looks back. But when it went like an ongoing fire within the club, the action exploded.
Everything was offered, from a flight over Norg to replicas of the Gomos shirts that were worn during the match from the 1971/1972 season against the Ajax of Johan Cruijff. “The auction was so great that we almost went down to our own success,” Auwema jokes. That is why a part was auctioned online, because otherwise there would be no time for a party.
The proceeds of almost one and a half tons go entirely to the funding of a new club building. The board member is desperately needed. The poor insulation, high energy costs and roof problems are a selection from the problems. “Said flat, it’s going to be a mess.”
More than 2 million euros is needed to replace the 1984 building. Part of it is subsidized by, among others, the municipality. The club itself has to add more than half a million. According to Auwema, there can be more actions: “But it is not easy to transcend this success and if it really has to be, we will borrow money. The club has already built up a piggy bank.”
If everything goes well, construction can start next year. Before the time comes, the plans still have to be passed on and again. Only then can a definitive design be made.
But the most important thing now is, according to Auwema, a successful anniversary. “This goes into the books as a fantastic week. As a relatively small village club we are capable of grand things. You see spontaneous sponsors and volunteers. That makes me very happy.”