In an ultimate attempt to save his club from relegation from the fourth division, HSC chairman Hans Nijland has roped in former professional Mark-Jan Fledderus. “But be careful: he won’t get a bar of chocolate for this!”
HSC was relegated from the third division last season and is in a terrible position this season. After ten matches played, the amateur football club from Sappemeer only holds SIOS. During the winter break, chairman Hans Nijland dismissed trainer Henk Veenhof. This week, the flamboyant former director of FC Groningen pulled a rabbit out of the hat: former professional and former technical director of FC Groningen Mark-Jan Fledderus is joining the team. Gibril Sankoh was also expected to join the fourth division club, but the defender was unable to complete his transfer papers.
Tied during drinks
It was during the annual drinks of (former) FC Groningers that Nijland captured the former professionals. “As director of FC Groningen, I picked up Fledderus from the second team of SC Heerenveen and Sankoh from Telstar. I said to them: listen, I have done a lot for you, now you have to help me. My HSC club is not doing well, so I need your help. They were both immediately enthusiastic,” says Nijland. “But you know, there is a bit of drinking in the evening, so I called them again a few days later. Fortunately, they stood by their word.”
Strike through Sankoh
The arrival of Sankoh eventually put an end to his career, because he only deregistered from ACV in November. He is therefore not allowed to play for another club this year. The 41-year-old Fledderus will come and will make his debut on Saturday against ODV from Wijnjewoude. “It’s nice that he’s here. We won’t have him there for all the matches this season, because he also has a busy job,” says Nijland.
Closed wallet
Nijland emphasizes that Fledderus does not receive a cent to show his football skills at HSC. “Not even a bar of chocolate! He pays his dues just like everyone else. At HSC we would rather be relegated than pay players. Only when there is a special performance does the chairman sometimes want to push a crate of beer into the dressing room, but that was a while ago. I promise to do it again on Saturday, because we can celebrate this stunt. Isn’t it unprecedented that we have signed a player with more than three hundred Premier League matches to his name?”
Debut against ODV
Fledderus is looking forward to making his return to the football field on Saturday. “Hans said he needed us and we agreed. Nice is not it? For me, that is the romance of football. I like that I can help Hans out and play football with that young group.”
The former player and technical director of FC Groningen now has a busy life as technical manager of the Eredivisie CV. “My agenda is quite full, so I can’t play many matches. I haven’t played football for a long time, only occasionally with friends. I think it will be difficult to make a difference, even in the fourth division. It’s just fun, man. My wife and children come to watch every now and then. I am looking forward to it.”
Top transfer
He does not know where Fledderus will be on the field against ODV on Saturday. “I have claimed the ‘ten position’, but I also know that Hans does not keep all his promises, so maybe I will just sit on the bench, haha. Hans is a pancake anyway. After my commitment, he texted: Mark-Jan, I have tears in my eyes. This is my most beautiful transfer ever. Except for Luis Suarez.”
Dream
Fledderus may remain a HSC player after this season. “I grew up in Coevorden. As a little boy I always sat in the stands at the Protos Weering indoor football tournament. My club, CSVC, once reached the finals there. My dream was to one day be there. I turned pro and then you can’t participate. I said to Hans: if your HSC registers for Protos Weering next year, I will consider staying. Then I’ll get Sankoh and maybe a few more players.”