Around a thousand supporters will receive a bit of turf from the Abe Lenstra stadium
Translated by Thomas Ansell
SC Heerenveen, the most successful football club in Friesland, is one of the rare clubs where the stadium can seat about the same number of fans (26,100) as there are residents in the city (about 27,000). In any case, following a disappointing Eredivisie season where the club finished twelfth; five places lower than arch-rivals FC Groningen, the Frisian club has decided to re-lay its pitch. Around a thousand lucky fans have received a patch of the old pitch as a unique thank-you memento. As reported by the Omrop Fryslân.
In total, 750 people had reserved a patch on Sunday, and anyone that hasn’t yet claimed their spot can still pick up the souvenir from the centre circle of the pitch today. Those wanting to pick up some of the hallowed turf must book a slot at least an hour before the intend to come. “About 100 people per hour can come to pick up their turf”, says supporters co-ordinator Michiel de Boer. “We have various stewards on duty, and everything is going well so far! The stewards have volunteered their time to thank our fans.”
“People brought their children, who could have a kick about on the pitch at the same time. We’ve had lots of lovely feedback, especially from those who could experience being on the pitch again. Several went from the field to check out the scene from their season-ticket seat”, says De Boer.
People with a season ticket, SC Heerenveen volunteers, and sponsors can get a patch of pitch for free, and club card holders can pay 5 euros for theirs. “In total there were about 200 people that paid for their spot, and we’re looking at what we should put the money towards now”, says De Boer.
The newly laid pitch should last three seasons, though according to De Boer, the club might make this sort of thing a regular occurrence when the pitch needs replacing again.
Image: Heerenveen players in a match against Ajax in 2018. By Wikimedia user Edoderoo. License here.
