Willem II started on Monday on a hot day with the preparation for the new season. Compared to last season, the supporters saw a lot of new faces, including acquisitions Wouter van der Steen, Jari Schuurman and Justin Hoogma. But also six talents from the under 21, including Junior Poortvliet, the son of former international Jan Poortvliet.
With the arrival of Schuurman and Van der Steen, Willem II got the leaders of FC Dordrecht and Helmond Sport. Justin Hoogma wore the captain’s band at his previous club Heracles Almelo for a while. It wants to say something about the ambitions of the Tilburgers, who quickly want to return to the highest level in the Netherlands.
Technical director Freek Heerkens has for the time being focused on the Dutch market, something his predecessor Tom Caluwé did not do. The Belgian mainly got players from his home country.
Anyone who is going to become the new captain is one of the decisions that the new trainer John Stegeman has to make. Erik Schouten will no longer compete for the band, the club said goodbye. And next to Schouten of even more than a team of players, including Monday from Boris Lambert. The Belgian has a contract until the summer of 2028 in Tilburg, but goes to the Belgian KV Kortrijk on a rental basis. Through all the departures, Heerkens will meet busy times to achieve the strongest possible selection.
Van Nick Doodeman was initially not extended the contract, but the wing attacker signed for a year. “Last year was tough for everyone who has a warm heart for Willem II. I am combative and want to give everything to put something beautiful together with the team and the supporters. After three years in Tilburg I feel at home here and I am very happy that I can be part of the red-white-blue for another year.”
At Willem II, six players from their own promising team have the opportunity to prove themselves to the technical staff. Karst de Leeuw has been training in the first selection for a while, but also Junior Poortvliet, Siegert Baartmans, Mishawn Molina, Jayden Spier and Julian van Esdonk hope for a chance. Given his last name, Poortvliet is an interesting player, because father Jan (69) had a rich career as a player and trainer. For example, he played the 1978 World Cup final with the Dutch national team and that year he won the UEFA Cup with PSV.
Stegeman enjoyed the first training, he said to Omroep Tilburg. “There is a certain DNA in me that I really like to entertain the audience. Above all, I want to win, I can handle my loss very badly. Then win in a way that belongs to me. Although that will not always be the case, sometimes a match requires something else.”
Program
Willem II will play the first exhibition match in Loon op Zand against Uno Animo on Saturday 5 July, which has been in existence for 100 years. On July 9 they play football at seven in the evening in Diessen against RKDSV, on July 12 at two in the afternoon at Trinitas in Oisterwijk against Quick Boys.
There is also practice against two professional clubs: on July 19 against Royal Antwerp FC and a week later in Loon op Zand against Sparta Rotterdam. The first league match ended at ADO on 10 August.