Frank van der Meijden’s sporting moment: FC Volendam is promoted to the premier league

As a Horineese and also the grandson of a football-crazy Catholic grandfather, I have driven countless times in my life on the N247 towards FC Volendam. From the Jaap Bond stands watching the hair-fine free kicks of Maurice Buys, the speed of Reginald Faria or the hunger for goals of my personal favourite: Houssein Ouhsaine.

In the 2002/2003 season, FC Volendam was promoted to the Eredivisie, partly thanks to goals by Buys and Houssein, thanks to a 3-1 victory in the play-offs against Heracles Almelo. What followed were the usual, yet unique scenes associated with a promotion. In the midst of hundreds of fans, I also entered the field after the match and celebrated the party exuberantly.

Championship

These are the few moments you should cherish as a fan of a club like FC Volendam. After all, a promotion or winning a prize doesn’t happen very often. Fortunately for me and for FC Volendam, it happened again a few years later. In the 2007/2008 season, the championship of the first division is achieved and promotion is once again a fact. This time the stadium of ADO Den Haag is the place of the party.

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Almost fourteen years after the last promotion, FC Volendam is going full steam ahead for the championship in the 2021/2022 season. Top scorer Robert Mühren is brought in, Damon Mirani comes over from Almere City and Daryl van Mieghem has to provide the necessary assists. It may have been the missing puzzle pieces that trainer Wim Jonk needed for the eventual promotion to the premier league.

After a difficult start to the competition, Volendam remains unbeaten for no less than 26 games in a row. The New Orange is the list leader at the end of February and has a lead of more than ten points over the number three in the standings. More and more I start to think back to the promotion parties in 2008 at ADO Den Haag and in 2003 against Heracles. Can’t go wrong this year, can it?

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In March, sand suddenly gets into FC Volendam’s engine. Loss of points against Excelsior, FC Emmen, ADO Den Haag, TOP Oss and Jong PSV ensures that the lead is lost and that third place even comes very close. Fortunately, good form is regained just in time and thanks to home victories over De Graafschap and Jong Ajax, the club and the village can prepare for the promotion match at FC Den Bosch.

Day of truth

It is now Friday, April 22, 2022. I slept very little last night, but still decide to go for a run in the morning. While running I wonder if Jonk will put Josh Flint in the starting line again tonight? Is Derry John Murkin fit enough to play from the start? And is Gaetano Oristanio or Franco Antonucci on ten?

Finally, I report to the editorial office at the beginning of the afternoon and drive to Stadium De Vliert with colleague Edward Dekker; the place where it all has to happen that night. Arriving in Den Bosch, we arrive simultaneously with the bus from FC Volendam. Quickly see if there is as much tension in the selection as there is in me. Fortunately, it all seems to be working out.

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It kicks off at eight o’clock. The branch, where I would have liked to have been in as a supporter, is packed. It is also busy in the press gallery. Side by side, Edward and I are ready for the radio report. At first glance, the experienced Edward does not show any tension on his face. I, on the other hand, am going to commit another nerve pee for the umpteenth time.

Fortunately, the game is off to a good start. Josh Flint of all people (so he was back in the starting line-up after all) gives FC Volendam a 1-0 lead. When Robert Mühren also makes the second one a little later, I am a lot calmer. A late goal against and the temporary suspension of the matches ensure that the tension returns to me in the chaotic final phase, but luckily FC Volendam holds on and wins 2-1.

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During the final whistle I notice that it is difficult for me to control my emotions. My voice skips on the radio and I realize that after thirteen years FC Volendam is finally back in the premier league. Inside, the fan in me screams even louder, but as a reporter I try to behave somewhat professionally.

Edward taps me, congratulates me again and ensures that we then proceed to the order of the day. Quickly hit the field for interviews and initial reactions. Just like in 2003, almost twenty years later I am back among the celebrating players. This time no Buys, Faria or Houssein, but a frenzied Mirani and a Mühren hoisted on the shoulders. Van Mieghem lets it all come over him and the Ould-Chikh brothers are dancing and jumping for joy.

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It is now almost 11 pm and Edward and I quickly pack our things and go back to North Holland. Edward behind the wheel and I quickly edit all the videos on the co-driver’s seat. It is now midnight when we return to the editorial office, but the evening is not over yet. Together with colleagues Stef and Milton we hurry towards Volendam to continue the party.

Party erupts

The ceremony is in full swing in a parking lot next to the stadium. The bus arrives and the selection is given a grand reception. The beer and baco’s flow freely and the orange torches don’t seem to last. While the colleagues behind and even on stage look for more victims to interview, I slowly retreat to the back of the parking lot. From a distance I watch the partying players and let the day sink in. Full of inner joy I realize that these are the days you do it for as a fan of a small club. Volendam will most likely be relegated again soon, but let’s hope that we don’t have to wait another fourteen years for a new party.

Frank van der Meiden