Before the winter break, Feyenoord was only two points away from the lead in the Eredivisie, and it seemed that this spring the first championship in 17 years could be celebrated at the Coolsingel. But after the break, the biggest football club in Rotterdam lost seven games in a row. The team of manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is currently in the middle of a big crisis. Every weekend, the loyal fans demand deeds instead of words. However, they are still waiting for the first victory in 2016. EM, with a bleeding heart because of the current situation at Feyenoord, asked students whether they still have a little faith in the football club. Is the end of the suffering of Feyenoord and its fans near?
Daniël Uzorka (23), Economics & Business Economics student
“I was hoping that after the sixth lost game in a row, they could win against PEC Zwolle, a doable opponent at first sight. However the result, 3-1, and the match itself showed the current trend at the club: there was no chemistry. The Feyenoord team that won a lot of matches before the winter break, and the current team, it’s totally different. Being Feyenoord supporter has been no fun for the last weeks, and that’s an understatement. As a Feyenoord supporter you know you shouldn’t be expecting to celebrate a championship every year, but currently it is a real tragedy. In the first half of the season, they were only two points behind Ajax. I was having confidence that we could win the league. However, the winners’ mentality is long gone and it’s hard to believe it will come back soon. As a ‘fair-weather supporter’ , I’ve been to the stadium several times to see a match, and then they won those matches. Next weekend, we can turn the tide, by winning 3-0 against Roda JC Kerkrade. There’s still enough to cheer for: in April Feyenoord will win the KNVB cup.”
Frederique Ahsman (19), Law student
“Every Sunday we watch Feyenoord together with the whole family, whether that is in de Kuip for home games or in front of the TV for away games. When the equalizer had been scored in the last match against Zwolle, none of us cheered. And after the final whistle (3-1) my grandfather and my father were grumpy. My grandfather Ed, former Feyenoord-player and club member for seventy years, could not stand it anymore. My dad was swearing during the match and after the match, my mom said she could cry. I have seen them playing since I’m four years old and have seen quite a lot of matches. At the moment, it seems that nothing can be done about it. It’s really sad. It’s true that Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a club hero, but he can’t make the team win their matches. Now they have to remain fighting for the third place in the league, that’s our only chance to play in the European competition next season. In a few weeks they will play the semi-finals of the KNVB-cup, however I’m not sure if this will be a victory for Feyenoord. We are on holidays during the match against Roda JC, and maybe that’s a good thing.”
Will Pearson (23), Master student Psychology of Human Learning and Performance from the UK
“Until last Sunday, I had never heard about PEC Zwolle. As an Arsenal fan I know how it feels when your club is going through hard times. From childhood on, I’ve been an Arsenal fan, a club which could be seen as the British equivalent of Feyenoord. The majority of the fans originally came from the working class, the legendary rivalries and a great atmosphere in the stadium. Arsenal is currently second in the English Premier League, thanks to the fans who have always been there to support their club. When the Feyenoord supporters remain to do the same, Feyenoord will definitely come back. Also, the transfer of Kazim Richards is something that could help the club to get back on track. In England he’s known as a complete idiot, and now Dutch people know that as well, after he threatened a journalist. I really want to go to a Feyenoord match soon, together with my dad who’s crazy about football. I’m sure that Feyenoord will be successful again by then.”
Thaina Franck (20), Law student
“After seven lost games in a row, you could say that I lost a bit of my confidence in the club. I hope that I see a winning Feyenoord soon, but when this will happen? Nobody knows. The current weaknesses in the team can also be seen as opportunities for growth. As a Rotterdam-born and a grandchild of a Brazilian professional football player, I grew up with football. Also in school, Feyenoord was often the trending topic. Even though I’ve grown up with the club, it has never had a big impact on my life. Sometimes I go to the Feyenoord stadium to show the players my support, but I’m not going every week since I don’t feel very comfortable to be there. Because I was born in Rotterdam, and always have lived near Rotterdam, I know many people who are really big supporters. Together with other fans, they are The Legion, which will always be there for the players. The relationship they have with the club can be seen as a parent-child relationship: sometimes you disagree, but they will always be there to support Feyenoord.”