At FC Den Bosch, all leave have been withdrawn. Ajax will come to De Vliert for the cup on Wednesday. The arrival of the top club requires a lot of effort. “When the biggest club in the Netherlands comes to visit, you have to approach things more professionally,” says Rob Almering. director of FC Den Bosch.
In the stadium of FC Den Bosch there is room for about 6000 residents of Den Bosch and 600 Ajax players in the away section. Because there are many more supporters than usual, there are extra security measures. The reputation of both supporter groups also plays a role in this.
Everyone entering the stadium must identify themselves. “We want to know and check who is in the stadium,” explains Almering. Drunk supporters will be refused. And alcohol is only served before and after the game and at halftime. “We want to limit annoying behavior and above all make it a fun party.”
In De Vliert there is extra camera surveillance, security and there are extra stewards. The police are also taking extra measures. “On race day, bikers, motorcyclists and colleagues on horseback will be present. We will take visible and invisible measures.”
“We think the chance of a mega stunt is greater here.”
Because so many supporters want to go to the game, ticket sales were a big challenge. It therefore went through a new system. First season ticket holders, then the supporters with a club card and only then people from Den Bosch who are in the ticket system.
From a sporting point of view, Almering is happy with the home match against Ajax in the cup tournament. “We think the chance of a mega stunt is greater here than in the Arena. We now have all our supporters behind us.”
And those supporters are certainly there. Almering noticed the day after the draw in October last year that many supporters would like to be at the match. “I suddenly had a lot of friends,” he jokes. “We received a lot of apps and emails asking if people could get tickets.”
In the Kitchen Champion Division, FC Den Bosch is not doing well, the team is 16th and lost at home to Jong FC Utrecht on Friday. “We have young players in the field who have to compete against the top players of Ajax and we really need the support of the public,” says Almering.
The match is on Wednesday, January 11 at 9 p.m. in stadium De Vliert.
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