Despite the relegation, FC Groningen has sold 11,560 season tickets. Club and supporters are proud, as shown during the annual Open Day in the Euroborg.
Jakob Bartelds (68) from Haren admits that he did not want to extend his season ticket after the relegation of FC Groningen. He quickly learned that quitting is not an option.
His Son Sander quickly got him back on track. “We are a group of friends. The children also come along. My father should not be missing.” Jakob does not regret his U-turn. ,,For us, a visit to FC Groningen is more than a game of football.” Sander would like to say that the stay in the Kitchen Champion Division (KKD) should not be too long. ,,After a year you have seen Top Oss and Telstar, I think.”
“Enough competition in the selection?”
Bram Heslinga from Hoogezand does not have a season ticket, but is planning to visit matches. He has forgiven FC Groningen for relegation, but wonders whether the club will soon return to the Eredivisie. “I still have to see if there is enough competition in this selection. Those guys really have to work hard to get out of the KKD.”
‘Tough on these guys’
Henk and Emmy, purebred Stadjers, are no longer regular guests in the Euroborg. But what a lot of footsteps they have in the Oosterparkstadion. They are happy with the return of trainer Dick Lukkien. ,,He has to tackle these guys very hard”, says Henk. ,,Just like he did with Tomas Suslov the other day. Failing to keep agreements? Get out.” They’ve been through some good times. Henk: ,,Believe me, they will come back. FC Groningen is a great folk club.”
Long line for Romano Postema
This afternoon, the youngest fans, it seems, have only one interest. Score signatures from the players. There is a remarkable amount of interest for Romano Postema, back from temporary stays at FC den Bosch and Roda JC. It does not seem the time to talk firmly about the disturbances, the suspended matches and the ban on playing the last matches in front of the public. ,,Surely it should be possible to get that small group of ringleaders out of the audience?”, is all Erik from Winschoten wants to say about it. ,,Look around you. People are really looking forward to the new season.”
Feeling of nostalgia
Klaas from Stadskanaal points to the circulation of the Ronald Koeman stand, where there are photos of former players such as Suarez, Robben, Nevland, the Koemannetjes, Meijer, but also Van Dijk, Roossien and Houtman. “It makes me very nostalgic. The memories are so far removed from the current situation. ” The popularity of new trainer Lukkien is obvious. At the players tunnel and the dug-outs he hands out autographs for a long time. The young fans cannot be beaten away and want to take a picture with him. Trainer Marcel Groninger and players Daleho Irandust and Thijmen Blokzijl are also there for the supporters.
Unprecedented number
11,560 people have now purchased a season ticket. According to the management of FC Groningen, an unprecedented number after a sportingly disastrous and organizationally very chaotic season. In an attempt to avert relegation, there was a change of trainers and the FC was a transit house for players
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‘It’s starting to itch again’
Allan and Ineke from Assen are standing at the counter with their two sons aged 11 and 7. Allan takes out his bank card and ticks off four season tickets at the last minute. ,,We haven’t been for a while, but when you’re here like this, it starts to itch again.”
Ineke remembers how she and Allan stood in the Oosterpark stadium. ,,We don’t care about the relegation this year and Friday is a nice day. You are and will remain a supporter. It’s nice to pass this on to your children.”