The fan
Ajax fan Nick Bakker explains why John was always regarded as much more than just another talented star by the Amsterdam faithful
“Another player leaving...” I hear someone muttering behind me. It’s one of the last home games of the season and I have tears in my eyes. Not very into home matches, me; I hardly ever go in fact; only when we’re playing Feyenoord… and now, for Johnny, knowing he's leaving.
“Another player?!” I shout back at him, “This is Johnny we’re talking about!”
At home, my girlfriend had made fun of me when I went all quiet on hearing the news of his departure. But then, even the toughest guys aren’t always so tough. I was relieved to get a pat on the back when she realised I was having a difficult moment here.
For me, and for many other supporters, Johnny was kind of the last true Ajacied on the pitch: he came up all the way through the youth academy, and spent seven years in the first team. Us hardcore away supporters always felt like he understood us, unconditionally, and that he was always passionate about the club. The expression on his face when we played at Feyenoord was legendary. That’s what we tried to look like on the stands in every match.
The bond he had with us, the away supporters/F-side, was mainly down to him. Not only would he stand with us when he wasn't playing, he was also one of the few players who, win or lose, consistently approached us after a match. He always thumped his chest, proud of us, proud of the club... If he wasn’t in the team, he knew he just had to train harder; and hope for better luck next time. He didn’t hide, and he didn’t let his ego get the better of him. You’d never hear him saying: “I have to play or I'll leave!”
However talented others from his generation might have been, they were never honoured by the fans as much as Johnny, never had their name chanted so loudly. Many others played for themselves, for their careers and their wallet. Johnny played for the club, for Amsterdam, and for us. To us, Johnny belongs up there along side the likes of Bergkamp, Litmanen, Blind…
Johnny, you old street kid, we were hoping you’d never leave us. You were the Amsterdam face, the alternative for the emblem they took from us. But in spite of our feelings, this is a transfer you deserve more than anyone. You have proven your great worth to us and you have shown you’re a true Ajacied.
I’m swallowing tears just writing this… we will miss you and you will always be welcome to come back. Be well.
Thanks Johnny..... See you soon!
“Another player?!” I shout back at him, “This is Johnny we’re talking about!”
At home, my girlfriend had made fun of me when I went all quiet on hearing the news of his departure. But then, even the toughest guys aren’t always so tough. I was relieved to get a pat on the back when she realised I was having a difficult moment here.
For me, and for many other supporters, Johnny was kind of the last true Ajacied on the pitch: he came up all the way through the youth academy, and spent seven years in the first team. Us hardcore away supporters always felt like he understood us, unconditionally, and that he was always passionate about the club. The expression on his face when we played at Feyenoord was legendary. That’s what we tried to look like on the stands in every match.
The bond he had with us, the away supporters/F-side, was mainly down to him. Not only would he stand with us when he wasn't playing, he was also one of the few players who, win or lose, consistently approached us after a match. He always thumped his chest, proud of us, proud of the club... If he wasn’t in the team, he knew he just had to train harder; and hope for better luck next time. He didn’t hide, and he didn’t let his ego get the better of him. You’d never hear him saying: “I have to play or I'll leave!”
However talented others from his generation might have been, they were never honoured by the fans as much as Johnny, never had their name chanted so loudly. Many others played for themselves, for their careers and their wallet. Johnny played for the club, for Amsterdam, and for us. To us, Johnny belongs up there along side the likes of Bergkamp, Litmanen, Blind…
Johnny, you old street kid, we were hoping you’d never leave us. You were the Amsterdam face, the alternative for the emblem they took from us. But in spite of our feelings, this is a transfer you deserve more than anyone. You have proven your great worth to us and you have shown you’re a true Ajacied.
I’m swallowing tears just writing this… we will miss you and you will always be welcome to come back. Be well.
Thanks Johnny..... See you soon!
