In the Netherlands, Eredivisie club Vitesse has started crowdfunding. The club is relegated, but is also in serious financial trouble. An old acquaintance is the face of the fundraising campaign: John van den Brom. Vitesse must have its financing in order within two weeks, otherwise it will no longer be allowed to participate in professional football.
John van den Brom, ex-trainer of Anderlecht and Genk, will become trainer of Vitesse in the second division next year. This was announced a few days ago. There is only one problem: the club has yet to obtain its license.
Vitesse is deeply in debt and must convince the licensing committee of the Dutch Football Association within two weeks to retain its license for next season. Otherwise, the club, which is definitively relegated from the Eredivisie after a deduction of 18 points, will not be allowed to play in the second division.
To raise the necessary money, the club has started crowdfunding. Van den Brom, also a former Vitesse player, is the face of the action. “Let your yellow-black heart speak, just like me,” said Van den Brom. Who also literally did his bit.
And many people have already followed his example. Fans of Vitesse, but also many fans of other clubs. After a day the counter stands at 830,000 euros.
The question remains whether it will be enough. The club is said to have a debt of 19 million euros.
The story is reminiscent of the rescue of KV Mechelen in our country, more than 20 years ago. There too, the supporters did it themselves. Under the leadership of Mark Uytterhoeven, Piet den Boer and Fi Vanhoof, they raised enough to pay off the 2.5 million debt.
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Tags: Counter stands euros fans explayers save Vitesse collection
