The best moment of the Eredivisie weekend took place in Deventer, just before the match between Go Ahead Eagles and Almere City (3-0) as a helicopter landed on the center spot of De Adelaarshorst stadium. Eight-year-old supporter Ryan Albers got out and received a thunderous ovation on arrival – as he lived out his dream of entering the field as a professional footballer.
Ryan isn’t like many other young Go Ahead Eagles fans, for he is currently battling bone cancer. Accompanied by his grandfather and the club’s technical manager Paul Bosvelt, Ryan flew by helicopter from Apeldoorn to Deventer, to land on the centre spot shortly before the players’ entrance.
The youngster then walked towards the tunnel, where he was allowed to lead the players out with the match ball, guided by referee Danny Makkelie. During the break, Ryan also took several penalties together with Bobby Adekanye, Sven Jansen and U13 goalkeeper Sep ten Buuren.
Paul Bosvelt (technical director at Go Ahead), responded to the wonderful action of the Deventer club on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo show on Monday. He spoke kindly of the seriously ill Ryan, a young man who has previously had part of his leg amputated to accommodate for his cancer treatment.
“(It was) fantastic and very impressive to give such a boy a nice day, which gives him energy again. If you also see the strength of such a boy, that is impressive. He wants to become a football player, and that is already very difficult. This was super nice to do.”
Bosvelt praised Sanne de Zeeuw, responsible for the CSR branch of Go Ahead, who did everything she could to give Ryan an unforgettable day.
“We went to his amateur club, surprised him with a kit and a contract for a day. The surprise was the helicopter, landing on the center spot. His grandfather was with him. It was very emotional.” said Bosvelt.
Bosvelt looked with admiration at the great influence a football club can have, adding: “You notice that you can do a lot of things with small things. Bobby Adekanye once visited him in the hospital, so he was a fan of Bobby.”
