Former trainer very proud of Micky van de Ven after pre-selection for Orange

The defender played with WSV’30 until 2013. “In the E’tjes (from 6 to 8 years) and the D’tjes (from 8 to 10 years), that’s what it was called then,” says Luttik, now active as youth chairman at the club. “So he played football with us for about four years and always in a higher age category because he was so good. Micky was a fast left winger then. He scored a lot. Yes, he was a really fast and talented footballer back then. “

Both feet on the ground

Luttik had a lot of fun working with him. “Absolutely. That was also a team of friends with more nice football players in it. He was also kept well with both feet on the ground by both parents. If your child stands out, some parents are very difficult at amateur associations. But with Micky it was totally not.”

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Later Van de Ven was scouted by FC Volendam. Luttik continued to follow him. “Also because he played football with my son. Ha, he even dated my daughter for a short time on a blue Monday.”

Even after his breakthrough, Luttik sometimes heard something. “Then he was about to be kicked out at Volendam. But with the arrival of Jonk, he gained momentum.” Last year he forced a transfer to Wolfsburg through an arbitration case. He also played six games for the Dutch Juniors.

“Well, of course he should have gone to Feyenoord, but that is my personal preference,” says the youth chairman with a wink. “No, he made a good choice. He is now just a basic player this season.”

This sense of pride is not entirely new. Attacker Kaj Sierhuis also comes from the amateur club. “It is always nice for your club when boys from the club do well. It is not very difficult to pick out the talents at this level, everyone can see that. But that they come this far is a surprise.”