Merchandise
No Bridge Too Far
The city’s football club, Vitesse Arnhem, this season opted to play in the yellow and black colours of the Paras in honour of the Battle of Arnhem, as well as adopting the slogan ‘No Bridge Too Far’. It immortalises the worthiest of things, yet this mantra is more than just a tribute; it is a notice to the rest of the Eredivise that Vitesse Arnhem are this season serious contenders.
In the past, Vitesse have been synonymous with mediocrity. Despite being runners-up on six different occasions, the club have never topped the Eredivise at the end of a season, and the last time they finished second was in the season of 1914-15. Last season was the first they had finished inside the top ten since 2005-2006. These are all signs of a club residing comfortably in the middle-class of the Eredivisie – not innovators, without the entrepreneurs which the upper class residents such as Ajax, PSV and Twente possess, but having enough about them to avoid falling into the division’s basement.
However, the club was taken over by ex-Georgian international Merab Jordania in 2010, the first ever foreign owner of a Dutch club.. Despite ominous circumstances surrounding the purchase, with allegations of Jordania pulling out a gun following a boardroom dispute, as well as time behind bars in his history. Many claimed he was a billionaire, the saviour of Dutch football. In reality, he is a man who could save Vitesse from the financial woes they were experiencing at the time, but not someone who would drag the biggest names in football to Arnhem.
However, the team is gradually improving. After finishing 7th last season under John van den Brom, Fred Rutten was the man appointed this year when van den Brom left to manage Anderlecht. The ex-PSV manager has reinvented the team, who currently occupy 2nd place in the Eredivisie and have only lost one game.
Wilfried Bony is the main culprit on the pitch; he has already scored 15 goals by driving forward from his role just behind the striker. It’s a name British fans may be familiar with, something tabloids can use to pad out their gossip columns, but it’s a name being linked with big clubs justifiably. Bony is the man who represents Vitesse, the man with the starring role. Despite Bony being pivotal the future of the club, he has stated that he’d be open to a move abroad – for his club, it is essential that he remains in the Netherlands for as long as possible in order for them to ensure they get to their final destination on time.
Just in front of him resides Jonathan Reis, who has seven goals to his name. Although he does not hold as many headlines in his fist as Bony, he is arguably as important as he leads the Vitesse attack Theo Janssen returned from Ajax this season and plays a vital holding midfield role, protecting a defence which is ranked 2nd best in the league thanks to the solid partnership between captain Guaram Kashia and Jan-Arie van der Heiden. These are players hoping to tread in similar places to players such as Roy Makaay, Phillip Cocu and, more recently, Alexander Buttner.
As previously stated, Jordania is not a hugely wealthy character. He does not have the bank balance capable of solving Britain’s recession twice over, nor is he able to spend £50 million on a striker who is past his prime (but that’s another article). However, Jordania saved Vitesse following years of uncertainty, times in which Arnhem fans could be seen buying buckets full of anti-nail biting varnish in order to save their already gnawed fingertips. He gave Vitesse a future when the outlook appeared increasingly bleak, and for this fans of the Arnhem club are grateful.
When Jordania took over, Vitesse’s supporters did not expect to become challengers, despite the abundant rumours of ridiculous riches filling his pockets. However, the club have since been propelled up the table and now find themselves level of points with FC Twente. Just as Steve McClaren’s team were galvanised by the investment of Joop Munsterman, Vitesse can this season become a club which is mentioned in the same breath as Ajax, PSV, Twente and Feyernoord. They hope to replicate the achievements of their early 20th century team, but perhaps this is not absolutely necessary to make this season a success. It would be nice to finally triumph in the Eredivise, yes, but this season it is not essential – 2012/13 is still a building season, one which will be the foundation for years to come.
‘No Bridge Too Far’ is their slogan, but this doesn’t show Vitesse Arnhem to be a team that cannot be stopped in their quest – instead, it portrays them as a side that will not willingly give up their battle, whether it be because of hope, pride or a desire to give their fans the best result possible.
