For a young football fan, a matchday programme is more than just a booklet; it is a chance to see their own name in print right next to their heroes. Page 30 of the September 2013 edition against Ajax is dedicated entirely to the FC Groningen Junior Club, highlighting the grassroots initiatives that turn local kids into lifelong supporters.
The main article on the page promotes the highly anticipated annual handtekeningenmiddag (autograph afternoon) scheduled for September 18. The club promises that the entire first team and coaching staff will be gathered in one room, markers in hand, ready to sign shirts, balls, and posters. It’s a beautiful, chaotic tradition that bridges the gap between the Eredivisie stars and the local youth, allowing kids to ask that one burning question they’ve always had for their favorite player.
But the true highlight of the page is the “Line-up” section. Walking out onto the pitch of a roaring Euroborg hand-in-hand with a player is the ultimate childhood dream. The programme meticulously lists the 14 lucky Junior Club members chosen for this massive fixture, divided by their specific roles. The player escorts (Line-up) included Ivar Jensema, Rutger Smit, Jarno Veldman, Damian Krause, Stijn Veenstra, Fabienne Carol, Sten Schulte, Wout Bruinewoud, Dennis Koster, Tim Wedema, and Tim van Esch. Meanwhile, the special honor of the “Referee-escort”—walking out with the match officials—was given to Nick Westerdijk, Roënly Boven, and Lisa Abee.
A Look into the Future
By 2026, the children listed on this page have grown into adults in their early to mid-twenties. While they have long outgrown the Junior Club, the memory of walking out onto the pitch against Ajax in 2013 is undoubtedly a core memory that shaped their youth. Many of the names printed on this page are likely still sitting in the stands of the Euroborg today, perhaps now holding season tickets in the vocal sections of the stadium. It is the ultimate proof that initiatives like the Junior Club are not just PR exercises; they are the most important investment a football club can make in securing its future fanbase.