2023-04-21 15:11:19
In a week from receiving French President Emmanuel Macron to a small party for Crazy Eddie. Staff of the official residence did not hide their preference on Friday, because Wezenberg stole the hearts of all those present here too, as he always does in the Arena.
A short introduction for those who don’t know him. Gerard Wezenberg, who lives on a care farm in Ransdorp, has been an Ajax fan all his life and has been sitting in the stands at Ajax matches for over 25 years. When the match has been going on for regarding an hour and Ajax needs a boost, he runs – wrapped in his knitted Ajax jersey with number three from Danny Blind on the back – with an Ajax flag over the long side of the stadium. An Ajax match without Wezenberg and his flag is not really a match.
Fans
Last October, a new steward took his flag away. Fans rioted and Wezenberg got his flag back during the game, following which he just ran over the long side once more as if nothing had happened.
Parool columnist Menno Pot described the moment in his column and AT5 visited him to ask what had happened. It gave Ajax fan Ids van der Spoel the idea to request a Heldenspeld for Wezenberg.
And so friends, family, journalists and mayor Halsema were in the official residence on Friday followingnoon – on Wezenberg’s 65th birthday. “The only people who are allowed to come here are the most important people of Amsterdam and that includes you,” said the mayor. “Not many can say they cheer up tens of thousands of people every week and that’s why you get a Hero Pin.”
‘Too big’
Wezenberg was emotional for a moment, and then said that he was especially proud. The pin goes on his Ajax jersey when he goes to matches. He was also interested in the large flag with three Andrew’s crosses that hangs from the official residence, but he does not need to borrow it. “It’s too big to run with, but it’s beautiful,” he said.
After the ceremony, Wezenberg showed in the official residence how he always jumps over those legs. And he did a quick sprint across the Herengracht for passing Ajax fans. Of course with flag.
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