The boys of summer
Words: Han Balk
Images: Han Balk
For most of the year, you stand on the touchline of your local football club through wind and rain.
Just when the weather finally starts to improve, most football leagues across Europe come to an end in May.
Supporters can either turn their attention to a major international tournament on television or prepare themselves for a long football-free summer.
In the Netherlands, however, May and the first weeks of June mark the most beautiful period of the amateur football season.
The final weeks are packed with title races, district cup finals across all six football districts, and, as if that wasn't enough, an extensive play-off system stretching from the 10th tier all the way to the top of the Dutch football pyramid.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys display preparations.
Some teams even have to survive four rounds to achieve promotion.
For the second round of these play-offs, I headed to Eerbeek in the province Gelderland, where Eerbeekse Boys hosted their neighbours from Dieren, Dierensche Boys, in a match with a place in the ninth tier at stake.
Defeat would see Eerbeekse Boys relegated to the lowest level of Dutch football, while victory would just keep Dierensche Boys dreaming of promotion.
The week leading up to the match was already entertaining enough.
First, I received a direct message from Ultras Eerbeek. They wanted to know if I was coming. According to them, it was going to be spectacular.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Dierensche Boys display preparations.
To strengthen their case, they sent me a photo of an impressive stockpile of pyro and a sneak preview of a hand-painted banner.
"I'll think about it," I replied.
Two days later, Dierensche Boys got in touch. They were familiar with my work and would love to see me at the game. They, too, promised something special. I was convinced.
Saturday turned out to be hot. Very hot with temparatures over 30 Celsius.
The partially yellowed grass received a generous soaking before kick-off. Four girls who had claimed their seats in the sun more than half an hour before the start suddenly had to sprint away to avoid an unexpected cold shower from the sprinklers.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Girls and boys.
Meanwhile, both groups of supporters prepared for what felt like a game of destiny. The Dierensche Boys supporters gathered opposite the main stand, while Ultras Eerbeek occupied the shaded area behind one of the goals.
Moments before the teams emerged, there was still time for one final rehearsal with the hand-painted banner.
"Careful, don't unfold it yet. They mustn't see it!"
When the moment arrived, the banner was revealed: "Eerbeek Hunting Season."
A playful reference to the visitors' hometown, Dieren, which literally translates to "Animals" in English.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys on hunting season.
Then the show began.
Orange smoke filled the air while several boxes of fireworks exploded above the ground. As the smoke slowly drifted away, the flares were lit.
Across the pitch, the Dierensche Boys end remained silent. For the moment.
Before kick-off, however, football took a back seat. A former chairman of the visiting club had recently passed away, and a minute's silence was observed in his honour. The Eerbeek supporters quickly removed their banner and fell silent.
Respect comes before rivalry.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. The future’s bright, the future’s orange.
As soon as the tribute ended, it was Dierensche Boys' turn. Red smoke, flares and fireworks erupted from their side of the ground.
Eventually, the inevitable happened. Football broke out.
The two groups exchanged a few songs, but the heat quickly took its toll. In weather like this, staying hydrated is important. Water, however, did not seem to be the drink of choice.
One thing became immediately clear: if you're looking for technical excellence, the ninth and tenth tiers of Dutch football are probably not the place to find it.
What the players lacked in quality, they more than made up for in commitment. The referee spent much of the afternoon handing out yellow cards in an effort to keep tempers under control.
©Han Balk. Dierensche Boys smoke.
The visitors took the lead, making it 0-1, and frustration began to grow among the Eerbeek supporters. The equaliser briefly restored hope.
Then things became more interesting.
Suddenly, the Dierensche Boys end was covered in orange smoke courtesy of an Eerbeek smoke bomb. Not long afterwards, a huge bang echoed from behind the Eerbeek section.
The visitors clearly weren't going to let that pass unanswered and decided to pay a visit of their own.
On the pitch, Dierensche Boys eventually settled the contest. The match finished 1-3.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys vs Dierensche Boys.
For Eerbeekse Boys, it meant relegation to the tenth tier. Dierensche Boys moved one step closer to promotion and a place in the ninth tier.
Should they fail to go up, however, supporters can still look forward to two local derbies next season.
After the final whistle, both groups met on the pitch. The situation had the potential to become heated
Fortunately, before anything could happen, somebody switched on the sprinkler system.
An unexpectedly refreshing end to a scorching afternoon of Dutch amateur football.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Dierensche Boys megaphone.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys display preparations
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Dierensche Boys display. Since 1920.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Pyro and penalty spots.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys vs Dierensche Boys.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys pyro.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Dierensche Boys smoke.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys flag.
©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Eerbeekse Boys smoke.
Han is on X and Instagram: @hanbalk and Bluesky : @hanbalk.bsky.social
Eeebeekse Boys can be found on Instagram: @sveerbeekseboys
Dierensche Boys are on Instagram: @vvdierenscheboys
