In a brand new episode of the Telstar podcast ‘De Verlenging’ it rains funny anecdotes. From Pieter de Waard’s navel piercing to Telstar player Joona Toivio who liked a drink. Guests include former Telstar director Pieter de Waard and physiotherapist Paul de Vlugt, who is in his thirtieth (!) season at the football club.
Pieter de Waard was general manager at Telstar for seventeen years (2006-2023), although he prefers to be called chairman. The eccentric De Waard ensured that the club managed to survive difficult years. “I had just worked at Telstar for seven months and then we could not pay the salaries. That happened about five times in total,” says De Waard.
“You led the club during the most difficult time. Together with a number of financiers, you ensured that the club stayed alive,” adds Telstar physio Paul de Vlugt.
Goalkeeper Koeman Jr. to the World Cup
The duo believes that current Telstar goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. should go to the World Cup. “With him you have eleven footballers in your team,” said De Waard. “He can do something that other goalkeepers cannot do. Namely play football,” says De Vlugt.
Presenter Edward Dekker and NH-Sport reporter Thomas Brood do not see that happening. “Can you count? Don’t count on it. I’m willing to make a bet on this,” said Brood. “Me too. Let’s put 63 euros on it,” counters De Waard.
Listen to the brand new episode ‘The Extension’ below
In a podcast full of hilarious anecdotes, de Vlugt also talks about his first encounter with De Waard, where the physio was surprised to see that he had a navel piercing. “Then I thought: this man is different,” said a burstingly laughing De Vlugt.
De Vlugt also has fond memories of the time that 74-time Finnish international Joona Toivio played for Telstar. “When he left, there was no liquor left in my house.” And another laugh follows.
Aunt Dicky or Leo Driessen?
Difficult choices have to be made by trainer Anthony Correia in the ’63 seconds’ section. Does he choose Aunt Dicky or Leo Driessen? Will it be Pieter de Waard or his successor Leon Annokkéé?
Finally, historian Lon Weijers delves into the transfer of Arnold Griffith in ‘Typisch Telstar’. The Amsterdam striker came to Velsen-Zuid in 1987 and left for Fortuna Sittard for 45,000 euros without having played a single minute.