He gained fame as chairman of the supporters’ association of FC Groningen. But John Schurer is mainly remembered as a man with a great sense of justice who constantly insisted on looking out for each other. Schurer, who criticized the hardening of society, died on Tuesday after a long illness at the age of 71.
“It is a matter of honor to fulfill this position at my club.” With these words, Schurer started his period as chairman of the FC Groningen supporters’ association on January 26, 2010. He remained in office until October 16, 2017 and during that time he meant a lot to supporters and the club.
The words he said upon his appointment are typical. Schurer was not concerned with the plushness, nor with the appearance. He wanted the best for the club, supporters, City and Ommeland.
Typical John
In recent years his health deteriorated. The energy ebbed away, moving became more difficult, going out became increasingly difficult and the pain increased. Nevertheless, Schurer continued to be angry about injustices done to others. He was particularly vocal on Twitter. Straightforward, with a big heart and an eye for the ever-widening gaps in society.
That was because Schurer himself was a boy of the people who climbed the social ladder over the years. In all that time he never lost sight of where he came from and the difficulties and sometimes even impossibilities his people faced.
He could get angry about that, fueled by an extremely strong sense of justice. So seething in fact that the righteous indignation could come out very blunt, hard and sullen. That scared some people off. But according to people close to him, Schurer was always sincere and honest. Schurer was a real Groningen in that regard.
Tough, but fair
The loss of Schurer is mourned within the supporters’ association. Rob Groen, who served on the board with him for years, remembers a typical situation very well. Robert Maaskant was trainer of FC Groningen and Schurer liked that.
“Maaskant was a real playboy. Schurer thought that the trainer had a big mouth, but did not achieve anything and unfairly criticized players in the media. That’s why he called him a toilet brush instead of playboy. Maaskant didn’t like that, but it was quickly resolved. Because that’s what Schurer was like. Tough, but honest and from that perspective he achieved a lot.”
As an example, Rob mentions the statue of Tonny van Leeuwen that was realized for the Euroborg during Schurer’s chairmanship. “It was a gift from the supporters association to the members. And it was the start of the FC hero boulevard because next to the statue of the former goalkeeper there is now a statue of club legend Martin Koeman.”
In addition, thanks to Schurer’s efforts, Arjen Robben became an ambassador of the supporters’ association, says Groen. “The club still benefits from the warm contact that Schurer built up with Arjen. Without Schurer, Robben might never have ended his career here.”
Great loss
Hans Nijland, former director of FC Groningen, has only warm feelings for Schurer and appreciation for his sincerity. “Deep respect for what he has done for the supporters’ association and therefore the club. He volunteered hours and hours and even more hours. We also had fights sometimes, but it was always done in a correct manner. Schurer spoke clearly and stood straight for the supporters. He left an indelible impression on me. His loss is a great loss.”