For the last time a match on ‘the best turf in West Friesland’. Because after today’s festive meeting with Lucky Ajax, the football field of Schellinkhout will make way for housing. For clubman Elian Koster a farewell with a smile and a tear, who does not give up football in his village. “That light pole on the new field will definitely come.”
Satisfied, Koster, Bas Kieft and Gijs Kramer watch on Friday morning as an employee of the municipality mows the field one more time. Together with Melchior Wiekenkamp they are responsible for the organization of the competition.
The foursome is part of the training group, which has continued to train since the disappearance of competition teams in Schellinkhout in 2016. “We do that here every Tuesday, here on the field or the training field. We often play against other Veteran teams from the area on Friday evening. That’s great fun,” says Kieft. “And once a year we play against our neighbors from WSW from Wijdenes, for the Wijdehout Cup.”
New shirts
The football players had bought new shirts especially for that match. “In a joke we said we had to celebrate with one more match. That’s how we ended up at Lucky Ajax. In addition, the association is 90 years old this year and we have to say goodbye to the field. Then we’ll end it nicely of,” says Kieft.
Only one problem: Ajax – just like Schellinkhout – plays in red and white. “And you still want Ajax to play in the home shirt. So we also had special anniversary shirts made.”
Saying goodbye hurts
They understand that as the only user of the field, they have to make way for housing. But saying goodbye to their beloved turf still hurts. “The best in West Friesland”, says Koster proudly. “If all matches in West Friesland were canceled due to the rain, football could still be played here.”
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Koster – 52 now – has quite a few drops of sweat lying around. He has been a member of Schellinkhout for 45 years. He experiences the times when the village club had 5 senior teams. Saying goodbye to the accommodation on Havenweg makes him sad. “My father was chairman for a long time. Because he thought it was important that football continued to exist in the village. And that’s how I stand. I’m not giving up, although many people say it’s no longer useful. “The new MFA, which is being built further on in the village, will be placed half a football field. I also want light poles there. And they will certainly come, just pay attention. That is like my life’s work.”
But first today one more beautiful football day in Schellinkhout. There are football games for the youth and after the match against Lucky Ajax (kick-off at 3.30 pm) there is a lottery and a party evening. Ajax is coming to Schellinkhout with, among others, Olaf Lindenbergh, Derk Boerrigter, Ismaïl Aisatti, Sjaak Swart and Simon Tahamata. Koster: “As a boy of 8 years old I was a fan of his, I even had a scrapbook about him. So it definitely needs to be signed.”