A football club’s responsibility to its youth extends beyond just getting them to watch 90 minutes of football. Page 63 of the December 2014 programme, dedicated to the Green White Bengels (GWB)—the supporter club for youth aged 13 to 16—demonstrates a brilliant, holistic approach to fan engagement.
The page outlines upcoming activities that go far beyond the standard matchday. The club organized a viewing party in the Noordlease Business Corner of the Euroborg for an away game against Ajax. Even more impressively, they arranged a group visit to a basketball match of the local pride, Donar, at the MartiniPlaza. This cross-pollination of local sports culture ensured that the youth of Groningen were deeply embedded in the city’s entire athletic ecosystem, not just its football club.
But the most vital historical record on this page is the roster of teenagers who were given the honor of participating in the matchday activities against Vitesse. These names deserve to be digitally preserved. The 14 teenagers who walked onto the pitch alongside the players and referees were: Simon Knapper, Finn Westerhuis, Jorn Westerhuis, Thomas Boskma, Marije Datema, Darron van Lingen, Matthijs Drijfhout, Dylano Soares, Thijs Kremer, Lucas Mens, Thijmen Veening, Danique Spieard, Demi Spieard, and Chiel Klugkist.
During halftime, the tension shifted to the Gasunie Shoot-Out, where five brave GWB members took to the pitch to test their penalty skills: Svenn Hamming, Joost Datema, Isabella van Duinen, Johan Annema, and Tijmen Hilgenga.
A Look into the Future
Fast forward to 2026, and these teenagers are now adults in their late twenties. They are the current generation of season ticket holders, the vocal core of the stadium, and perhaps even the parents bringing the next generation to the Euroborg. The local sports landscape has seen its ups and downs—with Donar facing severe financial restructuring in recent years—but the community bonds forged through initiatives like the Green White Bengels remain unbreakable. For the 19 individuals named on this page, December 14, 2014, wasn’t just a matchday; it was the day their names were permanently etched into the history of their club.