In the unpredictable world of knockout football, consistency is hard to find. However, the KNVB provided FC Groningen with a rare sense of continuity during their 2013/2014 cup campaign. Page 10 of the October 30 matchday programme reveals the officiating team for the clash against amateur side VV Capelle: referee Tom van Sichem, supported by assistants Coen Droste and Edwin de Vree.
What makes this appointment historically interesting is hidden in the editorial text below Van Sichem‘s portrait. “Incidentally, Van Sichem was also the referee at AFC – FC Groningen (0-2) in the previous cup round,” the programme notes. It is highly unusual for the federation to assign the exact same referee to a club for consecutive rounds of the KNVB Beker. For manager Erwin van de Looi, having a familiar face in the middle who already understood how his team approached these tricky fixtures against highly motivated amateur sides was a subtle advantage.
The page also highlights a fascinating disciplinary contrast under the header “GEEN GELE KAARTEN” (No Yellow Cards). While FC Groningen had not received a single booking in their previous cup match, the amateurs of VV Capelle were playing on the edge. The text lists six Capelle players—Jamie Jaliens, Emiel Buntsma, Salif Diao, Gertjan Rothman, Leen van Steensel, and Philip den Hartog—who were “op scherp” (one card away from suspension). It painted a clear picture of the upcoming match: a disciplined professional side facing an amateur team willing to fight tooth and nail, overseen by a referee who knew exactly what to expect.
A Look into the Future
Tom van Sichem managed the tension of this cup tie expertly, keeping the game flowing as FC Groningen secured a professional 2-0 victory. While his back-to-back cup assignments for Groningen ended here, his presence in the early rounds helped the team navigate the treacherous waters of amateur opposition. The clean disciplinary record maintained by Groningen in these early rounds proved vital, ensuring that their key players were available for the heavier battles later in the season, laying the groundwork for their eventual cup triumph in 2015.