He plays on Wednesday evening for an almost sold out Gelredome in Arnhem. But first bass player Steve Harris from Heavy Metal-Band Iron Maiden still played in Wintelre, against the Brabant farmers of VV Dees. The 52-year-old Wout van Loon from Wintelre was the initiator of the competition. He is friends with Harris and the football spectacle has since become a tradition.
The local team of VV Dees ran 1-6 against the Harris team, which is 69 years old. But that didn’t spoil the fun. Harris plays together with his technical crew, friends from England and with Wout.
Wout has been a fan of Iron Maiden for years. Thirty years ago he met Steve Harris on vacation in Portugal. “He had a cafe there and there my mates and I went inside. Then he also walked in,” Wout remembers. “It clicked immediately because we both love heavy metal and football.” A year later, Harris Wout recognized during a fan club day. Later they had a chat after the concert and that’s how it started.
“And so I had a friend.”
“After a while you just belong and I had a friend.” And now, 30 years later, Harris and his friends team played a game of football in Wintelre for the seventh time, where Wout comes from. Wout as a keeper, Harris as the left center.
“If they perform in the Netherlands or in Belgium, Harris first comes to Wintelre to play football.” And the English bass player likes that. “I once suggested playing a football in the PSV stadium. That was almost round, but Harris would rather play in Wintelre.”
“He could have live in Wintelre like that.”
“His mentality is the same as ours,” Wout continues. “Brabant soberness, I will say. That’s why it clicks so well. He could have live in Wintelre like that. He would stand out with his hair, but his behavior is the same.”
In addition to bass guitar, Harris can also play quite well, Wout tells. “He has super good insight and he can do well to fit. Only his shot becomes less powerful. But he certainly has talent. He used to have almost become a professional. He has with West Ham United Played in the youth. And of course it is full of energy. “
By the way, there is not only football in Brabant. In every city where Iron Maiden performs, the bass player first plays a game with his team. Because Wout is part of the team, he also travels a lot. “I go with six games throughout Europe. I played in Spain at Atletico Madrid, in England near West Ham United, last week in Germany and also in Stockholm,” he sums up. “Next week I will go to Poland. And of course Wintelre belongs in this list.”
In those cities, Wout also goes to his friend’s concerts. “That never bores.” Wout is also there again on Wednesday evening. And this time not only: the entire team of VV Dees has been invited.
A concert in the Ziggo Dome in 2023:
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