Few members will know that the VV Oosterparkers ever played professional football, but this was certainly the case in the 1950s. The green shirts played in front of more than 10,000 spectators in the Oosterpark Stadium and was one of the largest clubs in the Netherlands in its heyday. This will undoubtedly be reflected in the new book by Groningen sports journalist Dick Heuvelman, who writes extensively about the history of professional football in the city of Groningen. For FC Groningen, four clubs embarked on the adventure of professional football, including VV Oosterparkers.
The book with 126 pages and many (mainly black and white) photos costs 25 euros and can be ordered by sending an email to [email protected]
“In 1954, Dutch football shook to its foundations. Whether or not there should be payment
come for football? The proponents thought it was high time. Because football in our
The highest echelons, the first four classes, continued to decline in quality. Dutch
eleven already suffered one defeat after another and more and more top players were tempted
professional football, especially in France. They were appointed by the federation officials of the KNVB
dismissed as ‘scum’, were also no longer given access to Oranje. Because professional sports became like something
seen as vulgar. You played football purely and solely for fun, to relax your body and mind
spirit. But the advocates for paying the country’s best footballers won this battle
anyway. In 1954. Born and raised by Stadjer Dick Heuvelman, born on March 12, 1946, when he was eight
years and also a football fan. He grew up with four professional clubs in the city of Groningen and has
seeing them all – some more than others – playing in professional football. That worked
they don’t get off easily. Certainly, there was success too. GVAV even made it to the Premier League. But
Financially it was more and more a matter of hanging and strangling. One by one they died, with
GVAV last in 1971. FC Groningen rose from the ashes of the four clubs. Heuvelman, early on
infected by the journalistic virus, this fascinating episode in the city’s sports history found its way into the world
worth recording in book form. For learning and entertainment!”
