With your support, let’s make it a great season, says van Bronckhorst

Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst had a personal message for the fans during the club’s open day Wednesday. Gio asked De Kuip – which was packed to the rafters – to get behind the club from the off this season. ‘I hope we can make a great season of it with your support. I’m proud to be captain of this team. I’ve been away for nine years, I’ve experiences some brilliant things, but it’s great to be back. Thanks to all of you for coming. The sun is shining on De Kuip today; hopefully that’s symbolic.’

Bert van Marwijk was given a very special welcome. It was of course not the first time the coach has experienced an open day at the stadium, but as he was quick to point out: ‘You never get used to this. This is always something special among its kind.’

The eight players flown in by chopper were all deeply impressed by the reception they were given. ‘I’ve experienced a lot with Bayern Munich, but I’ve never experienced anything like this,’ declared Roy Makaay. ‘The first day of training and the Chelsea match were brilliant, but this surpassed everything.’

The other newcomers described their feelings in similar terms, although Luigi Bruins did admit that the short hop by helicopter would not be his best memory from the day. ‘Thankfully we arrived in one piece. This is a brilliant experience.’

‘When you see this you understand why I didn’t retire,’ laughed Michael Mols, who was ecstatic with his reception. ‘This is why I came to Feyenoord. It’s unbelievable that I have been given the chance to experience this.’

Lifelong Feyenoord fan Tim de Cler knew all about the helicopter ritual, but actually taking part was something he will never forget. ‘It’s exceptional to be able to experience this in person. I’m delighted to be allowed to play here.’

Gio gets warm welcome

The now traditional arrival by helicopter of the club’s new signings was the high point of Feyenoord’s open day Wednesday. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was the last of the club’s eight signings to step out of the chopper and onto the turf at De Kuip and he was greeted by sustained applause.

The crowd roared as soon as it saw the helicopter emerge in the skies over the stadium around 3:30 pm. The pilot put his machine down on the centre spot a few minutes later and the new arrivals filed out one by one to an enthusiastic ovation from the stands and some stirring music from the sound system. Roy Makaay was first to emerge, followed by Luigi Bruins, Michael Mols, Nuri Sahin, Tim de Cler, Kevin Hofland, Andwelé Slory and last but not least Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The rest of the squad were then brought onto the pitch in a cortege of golf buggies. After a brief introduction the whole squad boarded a float for a lap of honour.

The crowd had already been worked on by De Kuip’s favourite singer Lee Towers, who belted out a version of Mijn Feyenoord that had the whole stadium on its feet.

Next up was the presentation of the new Feyenoord ambassador. This year’s incumbent is TV presenter Renate Verbaan.

Paul Bosvelt was then given the privilege of unveiling a large board counting down the minutes and hours to Feyenoord’s hundredth birthday on 19 July 2008. The board will be hung in the Maas building so that all supporters are able to keep an eye on the countdown.

he day inside the stadium began at 1 pm with a match in which a team of former Feyenoord favourites including Pierre van Hooijdonk, Peter Houtman, Arnold Scholten and Gaston Taument took on a Rotterdam celebrity team. The pros predictably waltzed over the stars 5-0 with goals by Gaston Taument (2), Arnold Scholten, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Peter Houtman.