After much deliberation, Toine van Huizen has ended his football career. The 33-year-old defender from Middenbeemster has been clubless since the summer. “It feels confrontational that you have to end like this after 14 years of professional football,” says Van Huizen.
Van Huizen hoped that a suitable club would come forward. He did receive offers, but the picture presented did not always fit his wishes. After meeting with his agent last Friday, Van Huizen made the decision to immediately retire as a professional football player. “If you say it like that, it is really final. I still had the faith that something would happen. Now it is really over.”
Quest
Van Huizen would have liked to make the move abroad again, he indicated in September NH Sports. He liked Scandinavia, Southern Europe and Great Britain, but the right club did not come forward. “All the countries I wanted to go to with the family were not financially attractive. And the countries I did not want to go to were attractive. The right combination for us as a family was not there.”
“I would have liked to reach 300, but it wasn’t meant to be”
While many football players choose to play football in the second division later in life, Van Huizen had little interest in that. “I really wanted to stay in professional football. I didn’t want to go to a lower level,” says Van Huizen, who has spoken to Anthony Correia about possibly working at Katwijk. “I did consider it, but we came to the conclusion that this is not something for me.”
Text continues below the video.
Club-less Toine van Huizen opens search for new employer – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
The central defender played in the youth academy of AZ, but never played in the Alkmaar main squad. In 2010 he made his professional football debut with Telstar. After a year at Sparta Rotterdam, he returned to Telstar, where he had the best period of his career.
He then went from Telstar to De Graafschap with trainer Mike Snoei in 2019. After two years in the Achterhoek, FC Dordrecht came his way in 2021. His expiring contract was not extended there and Van Huizen has been at home since then. In total he played 299 official matches in professional football. “I would have liked to reach 300, but it wasn’t to be.”
300th match
However, it does not stop at those 299 races, because Van Huizen will run the Vienna Marathon on April 21. “That must be my 300th match. It is sad when you play 299 matches, have to end like this and not find a club. Normally you end it at a club and you get a nice moment,” says the North Hollander, who has been training for the marathon for weeks. His goal is to run the 42 kilometers and 195 meters within three hours. “I’ve heard from many people that that is an impossible task for your first marathon. So that will be a very nice challenge.”
Text continues under the photo.
Now Van Huizen is creating his own farewell match. He will run the marathon for KiKa’s charity and try to raise money. He also receives support from his old clubs. Telstar, FC Dordrecht and De Graafschap have already responded enthusiastically to raise as much money as possible together with supporters. “That gives me enormous encouragement and a good feeling.”
After the marathon, Van Huizen’s top sporting life is over and he sets out for the next adventure. In addition to family life, he wants to work. “Now you are entering a new part of your life. I am looking for a job in a commercial department within a sports-related company. And now train hard for Vienna!”