Hundreds of flags, scarves and shirts. Over the years, material man Luuk Kuipers from Emmen had collected all kinds of special items from his football club WKE’16. But a fire destroyed all those memories.
Kuipers has been active at WKE’16 for 45 years, last season the champion of the 2nd class K. During that period the collection in his barn grew steadily, but now everything is gone. “I’m having a hard time with it. Those things will never come back.”
His clubmate Willem Zwikker wants to help him. Via Facebook he calls on WKE’ers to donate old stuff from the club, so that he can give it to Kuipers. “I was so sorry when I heard about his burnt down shed and that he lost all those WKE stuff,” says Zwikker. “I think he and his son Richard are the biggest fans outside the trailer park. You have to cherish those guys.”
“That’s why I also thought: I have to do something about that. That’s why I set up that action.” He already gives the first things that Zwikker has received to Kuipers. They include a hat, a scarf and shirts. Zwikker himself donates ‘a beautiful WKE gnome’. “It’s a start. I hope a lot will be added,” said Zwikker.
Kuipers is very happy with the items. “I did not expect this.” The intention is to rebuild the shed in the material man’s garden. “And I would like to have a WKE museum in it again.”