It’s been quite something the last few weeks. The European Football Championship and also the Olympic Games. We haven’t been bored. But it’s still nice that the 2024-2025 season has also started. In the run-up to FC Utrecht – PEC Zwolle, there was quite a bit of discussion in the family. My daughter celebrated her 19th birthday. While I had planned to go to the demonstration and then FC Utrecht – PEC Zwolle. The choice fell on the right side for me. As long as I would be home by 5 p.m. I promised that wholeheartedly.
Around 12:15 I was at the old city hall in Utrecht. There was a large group of FC Utrecht supporters already waiting. A mix of children, mothers and fathers, elderly people and fanatical supporters. Former FC Utrecht press officer Harry van Dam was also there. He is said to be back on track. This after a bad period. As a surprise, Frans van Seumeren was also there. Respect! Great that he was there and walked the route. Too bad that the management of FC Utrecht was absent. If necessary, he could have said a few words on the steps of the city hall and shown his support. After all, it was a joint action by the entire club. The action went smoothly and without any discord.
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Hopefully Sharon will understand that she missed the mark. Punishing 20,000 innocent people is not right and cannot happen. When I arrived at the Ledig Erf I had to walk back to my car. I arrived at the stadium at 13:45. A dull and bleak sight. Once in the stadium it was even worse. I have never been inside so quickly. Walking to my place it was full of sun. So first the shade. At 14:30 the players arrived. Fortunately there was a paper with the line-up. Normally I know who the players are. I had to cheat a few times now. The practice matches take their toll. Most of them are closed. That is and remains a bad thing.
Frank Silver
Before the match started, a minute of silence for the deceased club photographer Frank Zilver. He was only 60 years old. I grew up with Frank in Overvecht in my younger years. He lived there on the Donaudreef. I lived one street further. Frank was a great guy. He grew up by staying small. A debilitating disease became fatal for him. It was therefore not surprising that his funeral attracted a lot of people. Beautiful words from Jordy Zuidam. FC Utrecht was also well represented.
FC Utrecht played a great first half. This despite the bleak conditions. We were really sitting in the sun. Employees brought water. After fifteen minutes PEC Zwolle made a mistake. Romeny was there like a shot to tap in the 1-0. FC Utrecht kept control. Strikingly the number 27 of FC Utrecht Engwanda. We liked him. But also Min. Viergever’s coaching was clearly audible for 70 minutes. The other twenty minutes of Van Der Hoorn too. You can really hear everything. In the second half a slightly stronger PEC. FC Utrecht had to be careful. Iqbal can do better. It all looks a bit slow. But the three points stayed in the Galgenwaard.
Considering the weather, no audience and the first match that mattered, we are satisfied. There is potential in this team. Ohio is also a player to keep an eye on. He can still make some steps. After another cup of coffee we went home. Downstairs in front of the main entrance were Mike Vermeulen and Rik Hazeldonk. The latter created some atmosphere by setting off a kind of air raid siren outside the stadium. A table, some chairs, chips, beer and the sun. A security guard, steward and police also completed the picture. General Manager Thijs Van Es appreciated it. Next Saturday on to Heerenveen. Not losing is fine. Heerenveen is on 0 points. They will be fired. Let FC Utrecht be ready. FC Utrecht 6 out of 2. That is a different story than the beginning of last season.
Ben ten Boden
