1/2 Jan visits all Borussia matches: ‘Much better than the Eredivisie’
At the age of 87, Jan van Leeuwen from Tilburg still stood in the stands among the fanatical supporters at every Borussia Mönchengladbach home match. Thanks to his father, son Jan is perhaps the biggest supporter of the German club. As an ‘Allesfahrer’, the Tilburger has been attending all Borussen matches since 1990, anywhere in Germany or Europe. “Every match here is an experience.”
When father Jan and his wife went shopping in Mönchengladbach in the 1970s, it turned out that the shops closed at two in the afternoon. Yet they did not return to Tilburg early, because Jan saw a poster hanging of the match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart. “I think it might have been a premeditated plan,” says son Jan, laughing.
Father Jan was immediately sold and went more often with friends and colleagues that season. His son Jan was six years old when he made his ‘debut’ in 1974 in the old stadium in Mönchengladbach. Jan junior: “They won 6-1 against HSV, I thought it was great. The next game I was there they beat Bayern Munich 5-0. They had a great team with players who became world champions later that year.”
“I’ve only missed a few games in all those years.”
In the following seasons he accompanied his father more often, they visited an away match and took out a season ticket. “Since 1990 I have been an ‘Allesfahrer’, which means that I attend all matches. Also cup matches with small clubs and European football. I’ve only missed a few games in all those years. My father was always there at home games, among the fanatical supporters until he was 87. After a hip fracture, he had a seat for a number of years. He passed away a few years ago.”
The distance between his house and the Borussia Park is about 130 kilometers. So he passes a lot of clubs. “The Eredivisie absolutely cannot match the Bundesliga. Every match is a life and death battle.”
“At Borussia Mönchengladbach, 54,000 spectators attend every home match, creating a great atmosphere. It is a huge club with over 98,000 members throughout Germany and from other countries. Despite its size, there is a friendly atmosphere. It is not without reason that you hear many Dutch people on match days, they want to experience this ambiance.”
“I’m far from done at my club.”
Jan is a fan through and through, but does not cheer for his club. For several years he has been on the press stand for TORfabrik, a website about the club. “But when they score, I celebrate inside. Because I write for the website, I am on the same plane as the players during European away matches. Within Germany I often take the train from Düsseldorf. As a conductor with the NS, I get a discount.”
He travels to our eastern neighbors not only during competition days. Jan provides stadium tours in several languages every week. “I was approached by the club ten years ago because they wanted to give Dutch-language tours. Over time, English tours were added and now also in German. It’s nice to convey my passion to others. The club recently gave me a shirt for my 200th tour. On to the 300, because I am far from finished at my club.”
