Generations of players, trainers and supporters of Roda JC Kerkrade gathered last Saturday in the Royal Theater in Heerlen for a reunion.
The afternoon was organized by the supporters’ collective Roda 1962. The members of the association present were amazed.
From Vermeulen to Malki
The personifications of hundreds of Roda duels, hits and saves entered the characteristic theatre. Think of names such as Pierre Vermeulen, Ernie Brandts, Michel Haan, Stanley Bish, Arno Doomernik, Johan de Kock and Sanharib Malki, but also trainers such as Jan Reker and Sef Vergoossen. The presentation was in the hands of former top scorer Maurice Graef.
Anecdotes
“I think we have a nice bunch together,” said Graef, who saw some names removed from the guest list at the last minute. “But that is the same as in the past in training. You also had to see who was there and who was not.” In a friendly atmosphere, Graef, together with his ex-clubmates, recounted one anecdote after another, from dressing room humor and European top duels to the valleys in which the club found itself.
All this happened under the watchful eye of the current Roda leaders. General manager Jordens Peters, head coach Jurgen Streppel and the members of the supervisory board also visited the reunion.
Frits Schrouff
There was also room for a tear and especially a loud applause. After all, the meeting was opened with a tribute to former club owner Frits Schrouff, whose funeral took place on the day of the reunion. “I don’t think I need to explain to anyone how important Frits was to Roda,” said director Peters about the man who repeatedly saved Roda from bankruptcy. “Without Frits we would not have been here today in this capacity.”
Also read: Roda’s sugar daddy Frits Schrouff (82) passed away
It is the intention that the Roda reunion will take place every year from now on.