Former goalkeeper of VV Emmen, former goalkeeper trainer of FC Emmen and RTV Emmen sports reporter Henk van der Horst has passed away. The native of Emmen would have turned 76 in thirteen days.
In 2019, Van der Horst was appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau, especially thanks to his many years of commitment as a volunteer at FC Emmen. Since 2004 he has been a goalkeeper coach at the football school, a youth goalkeeper coach and a scout. Due to health problems, he stopped giving training in 2018, but continued to do scouting activities.
He also earned the ribbon for his efforts for the Natuurbad de Zandpol, Toneelvereniging Winivé from Nieuw-Amsterdam and his work for RTV Emmen. From 2004 to 2016, Van der Horst was active as a radio reporter for the local broadcaster. He provided the reports of almost all FC Emmen duels and numerous other sporting events, such as De Gouden Pijl.
In his younger years, Van der Horst himself stood between the posts. He played with Minjak (Schoonebeek), SC Erica, Twedo (Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord) and VV Emmen. When Van der Horst played for Minjak as a 19-year-old, professional club FC Twente showed interest. Together with his uncle Berend Jan drove to the Diekman stadium in Enschede, where trainer Kees Rijvers was waiting for him.
The former international and later national coach tested himself how good Van der Horst actually was. Rijvers completed an individual training with him in the stadium. Rijvers was impressed, but eventually chose another goalie: Piet Schrijvers.