The derby between Helmond Sport and FC Eindhoven is on the program on Friday evening. Perhaps in front of a sold-out stadium, something that hasn’t happened in a long time. In addition, all veterans from the region have been invited to the match and the supporters have provided a spectacular opening show. And we haven’t even mentioned Ian Chapman yet. This supporter of the English Burnley, the club with which Helmond Sport maintains a close friendship, kicks off. Broadcasting Brabant followed the last kilometers of Chapman, who walked from Schiphol to Helmond. Much of it barefoot.
When we speak to Ian on the third day of his hike, the pipe is pretty empty. He shows his blisters on the terrace of snack bar Wimke in Oijen. “It’s very tough. My goal was to walk the entire trip barefoot, but unfortunately that didn’t work out. The road is really not suitable for that in some parts.”
80 years and 80 miles
But why not ‘just’ go to Helmond by car or train? “This year marks eighty years since Helmond was liberated. When I saw the journey from Schiphol to Helmond, it was about eighty miles. As if it has to be this way. I had the idea to collect money for veterans and the local cause Casual Minds Matter and out of respect I decided to walk the tour barefoot.”
Mental problems
Casual Minds Matter was founded by Helmond Joey van der Aa and Justin Pate (Patey) from Burnley. They focus on people with mental problems. “I personally experienced a young man wanting to jump off a bridge a few years ago,” says Ian. “I tried to contact him and called the police. They prevented him from taking his own life. Partly due to the corona period, there was more going on in society than I realized.” Some time later he experienced someone taking his own life. By raising money for the foundation, he hopes that more people with mental problems can be helped. “No matter who you are and how bad you feel, there is always help. Ultimately you can achieve things you want.”
Philippe van Esch, Patey, Ian Chapman and a Helmond Sport supporter.
Fraternization
Ian and Patey will receive a warm welcome in Helmond on Friday. “The fact that Burnley plays in the Premier League and faces big clubs does not mean that we do not like to come to Helmond Sport. Football creates fraternization, it feels like family. Moreover, Burnley and Helmond have many similarities, such as industry and the size of the city. I want to extend it much further than just sports and invite politicians to gain experience in the cities. Exchanging ideas can only make you better.”
Respect
In any case, the walking tour makes an impression on Ian. “It is beautiful here, especially this rural area. There is much more respect for the environment. In England I often see people just throwing things out the window, and the Netherlands is a good example.”
Special bond
The English duo was joined on Thursday by a number of real Helmond Sport men (with shoes), including chairman Philippe van Esch. “What Ian and Patey have achieved is quite an achievement. The bond between Burnley and Helmond Sport is special. Not only at supporter level, but also in terms of sponsorship and knowledge exchange between youth academies. There are great initiatives in the social field. We use each other’s strengths.”
[Bronartikel: Omroep Brabant]
[Foto’s: still Omroep Brabant/Leon Voskamp]
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