#fcgroningen #voetbal #voetballen #dagbladvanhetnoorden

HERO OF THE NORTH...

It was on Tuesday morning, June 15, 1971 to be precise
and after awakening a very shocking and sad message comes to me.
As always, I drank my first cup of coffee by the radio and so I was informed.

On national road 32 near Meppel, at the level of the underpass of the railway to Groningen,
Were you presumably overwhelmed by sleep?
You bumped into a truck with concrete pipes in the roadside on the wrong side.

Your wife has survived this blow,
But you were given your last breath.

You were celebrated just before by the KNVB in Rotterdam,
as the least passed goalkeeper of the year.
Yeah, you were really exceptionally good and with only seven counter-goals in 30 matches,
you were awarded the winner.

After your death, the football world was enriched with a beautiful bronze statue in 1972.
She got to bear your name, and she was awarded no less than 16 times.

Yeah, 16 times, a goalkeeper with your name was honored.
Your name brought a trophy for the goalkeeper least passed.

Your name was also in front of the South Tribune of our former stadium Oosterpark,
There's a train and even an avenue in Groningen named after you.
Today we enjoy your statue and the North Curve of the Euroborg
your name is already praised since 2011.

You were a huge talent, Hero of the North, and yes, HERLAND of the 16!
Yeah, as the best clubkeeper in the world, so, yeah, that's how you're still seen.

You were a reliable goalkeeper and one of your most legendary rescues
must definitely have been in 1967.
Your miraculous salvation brought us the 0-1 victory against Ajax,
You were carried on shoulders... man what a party.

Your robust stature showed one pounding of muscles, which is why you were difficult to pass.
In the air, you mowed everything down, no matter what fellow or opponent, in the air you managed to rule.

Yes, despite your impressive stature, you managed to show a great suppleness.
And just that, your talent... brings you now and forever among the most impressive football icons.

Of course, your career also brought experiences with less success.
I'll take Leipzig as an example, and this whole thing became kind of a life lesson for you.

Playing for the Dutch team definitely brought an unprecedented tension for you
and on the later offered offers of Anderlecht, you responded
with a very conscious: “No”, you remained loyal to VGAV.

All of a sudden, I'm thinking of a suspension. Nico Mares was the Shaak.
After many provocation, you decided his “performance” with a broken jaw.

Oy... yeah, you really didn't always go for the win...
Only success, does not stand with anyone.
Take for example that double knee surgery in '69, this put you aside for months.

I still haven't mentioned your name in this poem.
You were only 28 years old, but to me you are WORLD FAROUS.

You were a goalkeeper at Sparta and also in our Dutch team you played no less than two interlands.
But... your passion, yes, your passion, was with Groningen.
YOUR PASSION WAS WITH GVAV!

You were very, very appreciated by your enormous personality.
Your best friend; Piet Fransen even revealed your own statue in 2014
and all this, was realized by the supporters association of FC Groningen.

I still haven't been able to write your name,
I still haven't been able to articulate your name.
Because someone has come into my life, and he, he calls you the Johan Cruiff of the North.

To him comes this honor...
Yes, it is up to him to pronounce your name proudly.
And even though he didn't get to meet you, his love is real, it's proven by now.

He's your son... I find it hard, but it's simply pure reality.
He's super proud, but I'm sure there's also a fight in my eyes.

He's your son, Richard Vennema is his name, and I love to give him the floor right now.
Your son is Richard, and your name sounds in his voice...

by: A VOICE OF THOUGHTS — Angeliena House www.angelienahuis.nl / info@angelienahuis.nl