Was it always her dream to become the mascot of the local football club? To put on a huge suit at all home games of the first team that she walks with difficulty in, can hardly see, and is sweltering hot? No, not necessarily. Yet Marieke van Herk (39) will soon be standing next to the football field like a tiger with cartoon eyes to entertain the public and entertain the pupils who are allowed to accompany the players to the field. Her name is no longer Marieke, she says, but SjEFCe, a derivative of the club name: EFC Eersel.
Someone has to do it, she says laconically as she tries to explain in the boardroom of the association why she said ‘yes’ to this voluntary work. Her children enjoy being at the football club, and she thinks you have to give something in return. “My parents have always done that.” She is a member of committees, taps beers, and when the mother who played “the first SjEFCe” ran out of time, she volunteered for that too. The words ‘Kempic mentality’ are mentioned: in this region it is normal to do your bit.
Since she regularly helps out at the club, she has quickly integrated into Eersel, she says. “I come from a village fifteen kilometers away, so I didn’t know anyone here.” Now she sees familiar faces in shops, she has found her hairdresser through the association, her three children are always well looked after, who are now wandering around the fields somewhere. Recently she had broken her ankle, and she was immediately helped out by association members. “Marie-José, for example, came by, ran the vacuum cleaner through the house.”
The same Marie-José – a volunteer at the club for decades – hoists her into the equipment room in the SjEFCe suit and helps her put on the XXL version of the club shirt. Arriving at the football field, the mascot immediately turns out to be a hit with the pupil team. High fives are handed out, hugs are given, photo shoots are held. Sometimes “a dragon” pulls her tail, a cheeky girl even kicks her ass. The children have found out who is in the suit. “SjEFCe is Willem’s mom”, it buzzes. Van Herk: “That is not actually the intention.”
Fortunately, a father wondered aloud who is in the suit, she grins afterwards. “Looks like a guy from the barrel,” he said. haha!” Just looking at the competition score, 1-0 for EFC Eersel, and then on to two birthdays in a car in which she has hung an EFC Eersel pennant. Merchandise contributes to the club feeling, she says. Just like a mascot. Have we seen the SjEFCe shower gel yet?