After 14 years, Klaas Schilder is finally allowed to go wild again at De Heen-en-weer. Last week he worked up a sweat to prepare the old botter for the celebration of FC Volendam next Sunday. Every time the honorary member of the club sees the boat, his heart beats faster. He does not go there himself “That is only for the players and the staff”, he says modestly.
A lot had to be done to make the boat ‘ready to drive’. For example, the steel flat bottom had to be lifted onto a cart, extra safety rails were attached and the boat still had to be decorated. Klaas Schilder was well worth it, because after 14 years it was time for a party again. “Now we finally succeeded.”
Although Schilder has been associated with the club for decades, he has never been on the boat during a ceremony. That really only belongs to the players and the staff. He himself is part of the organization and is satisfied with a place on the side when the cart with boat passes by. The fact that he is already on it gives him a huge kick: “This is actually the final price.”
Back and forth
Paying tribute in De Heen-en-Weer is a tradition that has existed for decades. According to Schilder, this is the third boat to bear the name De Heen-en-Weer. The flat-bottomed boat owes its name to the many promotions and relegations of the club. “It’s just the name of the boat,” says Schilder, but as far as he’s concerned, the word ‘Weer’ can be removed or in brackets. “It is the last time, we are going for permanent retention in the Eredivisie,” he hopes.