When a football club signs a 31-year-old veteran, they are usually looking for stability, leadership, and a team-first mentality. In the summer of 2013, FC Groningen found exactly that in Nick van der Velden. The September 1st matchday programme dedicated its main feature, “De Hoofdrolspeler”, to the Amsterdam-born midfielder, capturing his immediate and profound impact on the squad during a chaotic start to the season.
Under the headline “Alles in teambelang” (Everything in the team’s interest), Van der Velden reflects on his first few weeks in the north. Despite his age and experience—having won the Eredivisie title with AZ in 2009—he displays zero ego. “If I have to stand in goal or even be the linesman, I’ll do it for the team,” he jokes, though his performances on the pitch proved he was dead serious. He highlights his unselfish nature by recalling a recent match against Go Ahead Eagles, where, instead of shooting at an open goal, he squared the ball to his teammate Tjaronn Chery. “He was in a better position than me, so it was logical to lay it off. The team is more important than the individual,” he explains.
But the most fascinating part of the interview is his breakdown of the tactical madness that occurred at the end of that specific match in Deventer. Reduced to just nine men, FC Groningen had to improvise wildly to secure a 3-3 draw. Van der Velden reveals that they played a bizarre, unprecedented “3-3-1-1” formation. “It took some effort to understand the gestures from the bench, but ultimately we played it out perfectly. Unbelievable that we still managed to grab a point,” he says. It is a brilliant behind-the-scenes look at the chaotic reality of Eredivisie football.
A Look into the Future
Nick van der Velden‘s declaration that he would do anything for the team endeared him to the Euroborg faithful immediately. He became a vital cult hero and a locker-room leader. His veteran presence was a crucial ingredient in the squad that would eventually win the KNVB Cup in 2015. Following his successful stint in Groningen, Van der Velden didn’t quietly retire; instead, he embarked on a fascinating twilight career in Indonesia, becoming a superstar for Bali United. Yet, for Groningen fans, he will always be remembered as the ultimate team player who helped navigate the wild 3-3-1-1 chaos of 2013.