The end of the Danny Verbeek era at FC Den Bosch is getting closer. After this season, the 35-year-old club legend will retire as a professional footballer. How far away that farewell is depends on the performance of the people of Den Bosch in the play-offs. Almere City is the first opponent on Wednesday evening.
On Friday, in the much-discussed match against ADO, the native of Den Bosch was already put in the spotlight in De Vliert. His daughters were allowed to hold up the substitution board and after the match he was thanked by several football friends and supporters. “When the little ones stood up with that sign, I had a hard time. The fact that so many people made an effort for me makes me very proud,” Verbeek said after the match.
In addition to FC Den Bosch, Verbeek also played for Standard Liège, FC Utrecht, NAC and De Graafschap. Yet he is seen as an absolute legend in Den Bosch. Playing for the same club for a long time seems to be becoming less and less common. “It is indeed becoming less and less,” Verbeek agrees. “In retrospect, I should perhaps have made different choices sometimes, if you look at the sporting and financial aspects. But in the end, my feeling was always here. I feel appreciated and nice here: nice and at home.”
Verbeek has already played 268 games for Den Bosch, but hopes to add eight more: that would mean that the people of Den Bosch will reach the final of the play-offs for promotion to the Eredivisie.
First match in the play-offs for FC Den Bosch tonight
On Wednesday evening, the people of Den Bosch will play in the play-offs for a place in the Eredivisie against Almere City. The return will follow on Saturday in Almere. If Den Bosch Almere is the boss in two matches, De Graafschap will be waiting in the second round.
“In the end, I have always said: my biggest football dream is to gain promotion with Den Bosch. I still have one chance.” He has experienced it in his head before. “I have sometimes thought about winning in the final. It doesn’t matter to me how.”
If FC Den Bosch were to reach the Eredivisie, Verbeek would say goodbye to professional football. “Just after the preparation, I already had the feeling that things were not going well anymore. And after a while I also thought: it’s okay. I’ll stop anyway. I don’t want to join a club other than Den Bosch.”
