It is the most famous clubman in the history of Top Oss, but he never played a match for the professional club. Superfan and sponsor Frans Heesen was so important for the club that the stadium was named after him after him. The 78-year-old Ossenaar, known as the founder of the Heesen Yachts company, died last week. Thursday and Friday we say goodbye to him in a grand way. “He has been extremely important for the club.”
John Tiemissen had a close relationship with Heesen. For a year and a half he rode with the club icon to away games from Top Oss. “Frans was a very special man who had a lot of prestige. Everywhere we went, the doors opened for him. From well -known referees to employees at other clubs, everyone knew him.”
During the many hours behind the wheel, John got to know his friend well. “His phone was on the car kit and I got all the conversations. Those subjects were very wide. One time it was the captain of a large ship who asked how much he had to refuel and the other time it was about cars or other men’s things. I noticed that everything went in a positive way, people were crazy about him.”
The cigar could not be missing. Frans was a true enthusiast, just like John by the way. “The car looked like a smoke machine in a disco. I think you could smell it nice outside the car,” he says laughing.
Top Oss was extremely important for the former entrepreneur. “For example, he supported amateur club Margriet, but Top Oss was all. The club called the club a bit his child. That the stadium was named after him, he was proud of that. Then we heard the speaker say ‘Frans Heesen Stadium’ and then he responded: ‘Yes, I would have existed’ without the support of French.”
Managing Director Bas van Rossum also thinks that without the financial support of Heesen Oss no longer had a professional club. “We call top Oss small but brave, but thanks to Frans the club has become brave. It was a striking figure with many friends and who was very good for his employees.”
Van Rossum used to do an internship at Top Oss and he can remember that Heesen came in the office to give his opinion about the last game. “When we won a period title, he was at the front. But there is also a story that after a big defeat the players and staff had to come to the yard of his company early the next morning. He would show what works is. I also know that Frans came to the club with a Hummer, I had never seen that in the Netherlands.”
On Thursday, the Kist van Heesen stood in his former skybox of the stadium. People could say goodbye to the clubman there on Thursday afternoon and evening. On Friday evening there is a memorial minute for the league match against Vitesse and a suitable tribute will be held from the club and supporters. Spectators can also place a condolence hour before the competition.
