De Volewijckers' Historic Title Win Amidst War

Learn about Gerben Wagenaar, a Dutch resistance hero who balanced his life as a footballer with fighting against the Nazi occupation.

The Netherlands marks 80 years of freedom on May 5th, commemorating its liberation from Nazi Germany. During this period, sport, particularly football, played a significant role in keeping the Dutch people going despite the harsh occupation. Thousands attended matches, and the sport remained relatively untouched by the occupiers.

However, football pitches and fields also served as secret havens for heroes of the Dutch resistance. These individuals led double lives, fighting for the country's freedom by sheltering Jewish families, sabotaging German war efforts, and extending support to the Dutch government-in-exile in London. Their bravery and resilience helped pave the way for the country's eventual liberation.

The Double Life of Gerben Wagenaar

Gerben Wagenaar debuted for De Volewijckers at 16 and helped the Amsterdam club rise through Dutch football ranks. By 1941, local newspapers praised the wide midfielder for his hard work and stylish play. Het Volk noted, “Gerben Wagenaar toiled again and it was a pleasure, not for a moment neglecting his technique and brainwork.” Under Wagenaar's leadership, De Volewijckers secured promotion in 1941.

However, Wagenaar led a secret life as a member of the Dutch resistance. He joined just a week after the Dutch forces surrendered to the German invasion. As his resistance work grew, so did the danger. After being targeted by the German occupiers, Wagenaar went into hiding shortly after receiving praise for his football skills. He played a key role in organizing the notable February Strike of 1941 as a member of the Dutch Communist Party.

Wagenaar's resistance efforts persisted despite the risks. As a member of the Resistance Council, he maintained connections with affiliated groups and orchestrated notable acts of sabotage. One of his most daring feats involved disabling 30 German fighter planes, which exploded shortly after taking off from an airfield near Breda.

Wagenaar's Daring Double Life

Despite being in hiding, Gerben Wagenaar didn't completely abandon his public life. In 1942, he participated in the iconic Elfstedentocht speed skating tour, which spans 11 cities in the Frisia province. During the event, he unexpectedly ran into his former De Volewijckers coach, Jaap van der Leck, in Utrecht.

Van der Leck recalled the encounter in a 1985 interview with Het Parool, saying, “On a good day, my left midfielder Gerben Wagenaar suddenly seemed to have disappeared... Then I heard he was in the resistance.” Wagenaar's brother, Douwe, remained the club chairman. Van der Leck was startled to see Wagenaar, worrying the Germans might discover him. Wagenaar casually greeted Van der Leck, saying, “Things are going well with De Volewijckers, aren't they?”

De Volewijckers continued to thrive despite Wagenaar's disappearance. When he debuted in 1928, the club played in the third tier, but they had recently earned promotion to the second tier. Under Van der Leck's guidance, the team achieved further success, earning promotion to the top tier of Dutch football after defeating DOS from Utrecht in Ajax's De Meer stadium.

In their first season in the top tier, known as the First Class A, De Volewijckers competed against other top teams. The Dutch football association, NVB, had been restructured by the German occupiers from the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association), with the removal of the “royal” predicate due to its prohibition.

De Volewijckers' inaugural top-tier season was historic, but marred by tragedy. In July 1943, the club's complex was hit by an Allied bombardment targeting the Fokker aircraft factory, which had been seized by the Germans. Forced to abandon their damaged home pitch due to safety concerns, De Volewijckers temporarily relocated to Ajax's De Meer stadium in eastern Amsterdam.

Historic Title Win for De Volewijckers

De Volewijckers' first season playing away from home became a historic milestone. Under Jaap van der Leck's tactical guidance, inspired by Herbert Chapman's renowned “WM system,” the team won the First Class A title, securing their first major championship in club history. This triumph qualified them for the championship group, where they would compete against VUC, LONGA, Heerenveen, and Heracles for the national title.

De Volewijckers' championship campaign started strongly with a 6-1 win over Heracles. Their next match against Heerenveen at De Meer stadium drew a crowd of 40,000. However, the game was interrupted just 10 minutes in by air raid sirens, prompting an evacuation. Undeterred, the De Volewijckers fans chanted, “We are green-white, we are De Volewijckers,” as they left the stadium.

The resumed match against Heerenveen proved pivotal. Despite missing Jewish players due to forced bans and their goalkeeper being sent to work in Germany, De Volewijckers dominated the match, winning 4-1 in front of 50,000 fans, many of whom were Jews in hiding. This victory contributed to De Volewijckers claiming their first and only national title.

Gerben Wagenaar's brother, Douwe, celebrated De Volewijckers' title win as chairman. Douwe had previously shown his defiance against the German occupation by organizing a silent protest in 1943, where the team wore orange shirts, symbolizing the banned royal family and Dutch identity. This act of resistance led to his arrest but highlighted the values that De Volewijckers and the Wagenaar family represented.

Gerben Wagenaar later went on to coach De Volewijckers in the 1960s and pursued a career in politics. He passed away in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of courage and dedication.