Telstar provided a football wonder in Tilburg on Sunday. The club with the second lowest budget in professional football and a player budget of barely 1 million euros returns to the Eredivisie after half a century. “It’s a boy’s book.”
Pieter de Waard was one of the first Telstar fans a good feeling about the 47th year in a row in the first division. That was because of his season ticket. Or better: because of the figures on his ticket for box M.
“I have two lucky figures,” says De Waard, who was the striking face of Telstar between 2006 and 2023. “63 of course, because Telstar was founded in 1963. And 76. So when I saw on my season ticket that I was portrayed in row 7, chair 6, I already knew: this can be a special season.”
It certainly became special. Due to the 1-3 victory on Willem II on Sunday evening in the final of the Play-Offs, one of the smallest professional clubs in the Netherlands will play at the highest level next season. That happened for the last time in the 1977/1978 volume.
Since then Telstar has been growing with the first division. The club from Velsen-Zuid rarely came close to promotion and never finished higher than fourth place. Among De Waard, the ‘White Lions’ mainly fell out with playful actions. “Well, that football is an annoying break of a great evening,” the born IJmuidenaar said regularly.
But this season De Waard saw from row 7, chair 6 that the performance and football of Telstar made for many great evenings. With the cherry on the cake the successful play-offs. “I feel enormous joy and pride,” says De Waard. Laughing: “And I am very happy that I am experiencing this as a fan, and I am not responsible for the transition to the Eredivisie.”
‘We have the lowest player budget in professional football’
Shortly after the last whistle in Tilburg, the players and staff members of Telstar get a white T-shirt pressed into their hands. On the front is the word ‘Eredivisie’. On the back, black block letters give a message to the other seventeen clubs at the highest level: ” Guess who’s back? “
Leon Annokkée sticks to his black pullover and trousers. But the successor of De Waard as general director of Telstar is celebrating the promotion party just as hard for the bulging branch of the King Willem II Stadium.
“This is of course fantastic,” says Annokkée. “I think we have made the impossible possible. This is not possible at all. We probably have the lowest player budget in professional football, with 1 million euros and a little bit. And yet we promote. It’s a boy’s book.”
The director knows that in the coming two months he still has to write a few big chapters to get that boy’s book. Telstar has to adjust a lot to be ready for the Eredivisie. For example, the artificial grass mat must be replaced for real grass with field heating.
“Very honestly: I didn’t want to Jinxen and for this competition further give substance to our organization,” says Annokkée. “On Tuesday, people from the KNVB will come by, who will take us into what will change. We will listen to them and then deliver a lot of work with very few people to be ready for the start of the Eredivisie season.”
Telstar trainer Correia is a child of the club
Two days before the home game against Willem II, Telstar’s training in the 711 stadium is very disturbed by drilling sounds. Due to the disturbances after the duel with FC Den Bosch, extra fences have to come before the branch.
Coach Anthony Correia soon hears that the work cannot be postponed, training or no training. “I am sure that all other trainers had said to me: to get rid of that noise,” says Annokkée. “But Anthony didn’t.”
The 43-year-old Correia came as a player from 2001 and 2016 to 328 games for the club. He knows the impossibilities of Telstar like no other. And so he prefers to focus on what is possible. “We can do everything, as long as we believe in it,” says the trainer. “We have had a positive message throughout the season. And tried to get guts and dare in those guests.”
For the decisive game with Willem II, Correia holds his players before they all only live once. And that it is important to think about what you leave in that life for others. “What will our legacy be?” He asks the selection.
That legacy is now clear. This Telstar team will be reminded for a historical promotion forever. “We all did something unique,” says Correia. “I just saw a video from IJmuiden, the very long Nieuwstraat was full of fans. It is special that we have been able to give all those people so much joy.”
IJmuiden celebrates: Telstar to the Eredivisie
Telstar caused a Football Miracle in Tilburg on Sunday. The club with the second-lowest budget in Professional Football and a Player Budget of Just 1 Million Euros Returns to the Eredivisie After Half A Century. “It’s a boy’s dream.”
Pieter de Waard, as one of the first telstar fans, had a good feeling about the 47th year in a row in the first division. That was because of his season ticket. Or Rather: Because of the Numbers on His Ticket for Section M.
“I have two lucky numbers,” says De Waard, who was the striking face of Telstar as general manager between 2006 and 2023. “63 of course, because Telstar was founded in 1963. And 76. So when I saw on my season ticket that I had been placed in row 7, seat 6, I already knew: this Could Be A Special Season. “
Special It Certainly Became. Due to the 1-3 Victory about Willem II on Sunday Evening in the Final Of The Play-Offs, One of the Smallest Professional Clubs in the Netherlands Will Play at the Highest Level Next Season. That happened for the last time in the 1977/1978 season.
Since then, Telstar Has Grown Together with the First Division. The Club from Velsen-Zuid Rarely Came Close to Promotion and Never finished Higher Than Fourth Place. Under de Waard, the ‘White Lions’ Mainly Stood Out With Playful Actions. “Ah, that football is a disruptive interruption of a great event,” the native of IJmuiden Regularly Said.
But this season de Waard Saw from Row 7, Seat 6 That the Performances and Football of Telstar Provided Many Great Evenings. With the successful play-offs as icing on the cake. “I feel huge joy and pride,” Says de Waard. Laughing: “And I’m very happy that I’m experienced this as a fan, and not responsible for the transition to the premier league.”
‘We have the lowest player budget in Professional Football’
Immediately after the final Whistle in Tilburg, The Players and Staff Members of Telstar Are Handed a White T-shirt. The Word ‘Eredivisie’ is Printed in Large Letters On The Front. On the back, Black Block Letters Give a Message to the Other Seventeen Clubs at the Highest Level: ” Guess who’s Back? “
Leon Annokkée Sticks to His Black Pullover and Trousers. But De Waard’s Successor As General Manager of Telstar Celebrates The Promotion Party Just as Hard in Front of the Overflowing Away Section of the Koning Willem II Stadium.
“This is of course Fantastic,” Says Annokkée. “I think we have made the impossible possible. This simply cannot happen. We probably have the lowest player budget in professional football, with 1 million euros and a little bit. And yet we are being promoted. It’s a boy’s dream.”
The Director Knows That Still Has To Write A Few Substantial Chapters In The Next Two Months To Finish That Boy’s Dream. Telstar Must Make Many Adjustments to Be Ready for the Eredivisie. For example, the artificial peat must be replaced with real grass with field heating.
“To be Honest: I Didn’t Want to Jinx Things and Already Give Further Substance to Our Organization Before This Match,” Says Annokkée. “On Tuesday, people from the KNVB will come by, who will take us through what is going to change. We will list to them and then deliver a lot of work with very few people to be ready for the start of the premier league season.”
Telstar Coach Correia is a child of the club
Two Days Before the Home Match Against Willem II, The Training of Telstar in the 711 Stadium is Heavily Disturbed by Drilling Noises. Because of the disturbances after the match with fc den bosch, extra fences for the away section must be installed quickly.
Coach Anthony Correia Soon Hears That the Work Cannot Be Postponed, Training OR NO NO Training. “I’m sure that all the other coaches would have said to me: get out of here that noise,” Says Annokkée. “But Anthony Didn’t that.”
The 43-Year-old Correia Came As a Player from 2001 to 2016 to 328 matches for the club. He knows the impossibilities of telstar like no other. And so he prefers to focus on what is possible. “We can do anything, if we just believe in it,” Says the coach. “We have a positive message all season. And tried to get guts and courage into those guys.”
Before the Decisive Match Against Willem II, Correia tells His players that they all only live once. And that it is important to think about what you leave behind for Others in that Life. “What will be our legacy?”, Asks the selection.
That legacy is now clear. This Telstar team will be remembered forever for a historic promotion. “We have done something unique together,” Says Correia. “I just saw a video from IJmuiden, The Entire Lange Nieuwstraat was full of fans. It is special that we have leg able to give so much joy to all those people.”