The first tropical Sunday night of the year. More than 8500 Drenthes could have done anything tonight, but opted for the trip to their second home De Oude Meerdijk. Hours later, their sporting club went under.
The fact that every supporter deals with that disappointment differently is visible on the billboards immediately after the final whistle of the decisive post-competition match against Almere City FC (1-2). Of course there is anger. About the laziness of the men on the field. But at the same time the club songs are raised. Music as comforting unity.
Not a fairytale book
They have resilience in Emmen. Calluses on the soul too. Bred by past results. When they were the ugly duckling of professional football and the stands here were a lot emptier.
But the recent successful years also apparently offered no guarantee for the future. The renewed adventure at the highest level turned out to be one for the history books and not the fairy tale books.
Big tears are streaming down the cheeks of a boy. She can’t hide his sunglasses. His neighbor boy proudly raises his favorite scarf with the text ‘Wel döt ons wat’.
Meanwhile, departing trainer Dick Lukkien emotionally lets the ‘Dickie is a Emmenaar’ clatter over him from the fanatical supporters. His undoubtedly modest speech into a rickety microphone does not reach the masses.
Kebab stall
The players are already inside when a row of children drips off in disappointment. They had hoped for a boxing or a picture of their red and white heroes. They apparently had something else on their mind. But the players are passers-by in this stadium. The kids are coming back. They will sleep in their Emmen shirt tonight and ask mom if they can go to school in the morning too.
“Back to Maastricht next year,” sighed the ever-charming hostesses in the press room. There are tears with other employees of the club. Outside Izmir’s kebab stand it seems even busier than usual. Comfort food for the real ones.