Emmen
Netherlands
Between the empty plains of Drenthe, you suddenly come across De Oude Meerdijk, just outside the city centre of Emmen. It is the home ground of FC Emmen. Since their promotion to the Eredivisie in 2018, De Oude Meerdijk guarantees a good atmosphere and, if all goes well, entertaining football.
The Oude Meerdijk
The Oude Meerdijk, which opened in 1977, is located on the east side of the city of Emmen. From the outside, the stadium does not offer much. Just four detached simple covered stands. But that is how Emmen-supporters like it. Surrounded by lots of greenery, De Oude Meerdijk is something where every Emmenaar feels at home. Inside, the supporters' group Brigata Fanatico provides a good football atmosphere from the south stand, which was renamed the Jan van Beveren-stand in 2015. In honour of the legendary goalkeeper who already made his debut at The Oude Meerdijk at the age of fifteen. Inside it is a fairly primitive affair, the club museum also functions as a press room.
The 'New' Meerdijk
The promotion to the Eredivisie in 2018 has given a boost to the number of fans in attendance at FC Emmen. From an average of 3,165 visitors in 2017/2018 to 6,795 visitors in 2021/2022. For years, chairman Lubbers, in particular, has been talking about building a new stadium, which should ensure that FC Emmen remains a stable club in the Eredivisie. It should not only be able to accommodate more fans but also become more attractive to sponsors. However, there are no concrete plans for where the stadium should be located yet.
FC Emmen
In 1925 the Noordbarge Emmen Combinatie was founded; the distant predecessor of the current FC Emmen. However, that name did not last very long. In 1926 the club was renamed VV Emmen. For a long time VV Emmen operated at amateur level. Only in 1986, the club switched to professional football by joining the First Division, the second tier of Dutch football. With that, there was also a split between the pros and the amateurs of Emmen. Amateur branch VV Emmen split off from the professional branch FC Emmen in 2005, but still plays its matches on the fields next to The Oude Meerdijk.
Raadhuisplein
The 20th of May 2018 will sound like music to the ears of many Emmen supporters. On that day, FC Emmen was promoted to the Eredivisie for the first time in its history. An achievement that had to be celebrated. On the Raadhuisplein in the centre of Emmen, the players were honoured by more than fifteen thousand people. In 2022, the pyros and fireworks could be brought out of the closet again after Emmen returned to the Eredivisie after a one-year absence. Of course with a ceremony on a packed Town Hall Square. Above the entrance of the Willinkplein car park, you will still find the meters-long banner with the text 'Eredivisie 2022-23' that was erected during the ceremony.
Café Melody
Before every home game of FC Emmen, many supporters gather in Café Melody. It has a somewhat atypical interior for a football café with many blues influences. There is a snack bar, pizzeria and café. For €9,50 you can score an FC Emmen special: a big hamburger with beer. Melody, a fifteen-minute walk from the stadium, is also home to the podcast ‘Kijk op de Meerdijk’.
Cafetaria Bikbar
It is known as Emmen's culinary heritage: cafeteria De Bikbar. A famous cafe in Emmen for more than ninety years. Since the seventies, it can be found on Market Square. For the real Emmen experience, ordering fries with Bikbar sauce is a requirement. Cafeteria de Bikbar is easily recognizable by its unique glass façade.
WKE
If you want to visit a special amateur club during your visit to Emmen, you have come to the right place at WKE. In the northern part of Emmen, you will find trailer park De Ark as well as WKE: Woonwagenkamp Emmen. A club for the Romani people, for the hard workers who don't like professional football. In 2009, WKE reached its peak by becoming national champion in the amateur leagues. Bankruptcy followed in 2016. However, a restart was made under the name WKE'16 which preserved a piece of football history.
SV Meppen
At about half an hour's drive from Emmen, you will find SV Meppen across the German border. A real kultverein who currently plays in the third German division. It may not be the biggest club in Germany, but the atmosphere in the characteristic Hänsch-Arena is always top-notch. Especially in matches against rival VFL Osnabrück, the Meppen's faithful know how to create a spectacle.
Tickets
Tickets for a match of FC Emmen can easily be ordered on the official website of FC Emmen. For a single ticket, you pay at least € 18,-. If you prefer to sit on the long side (east stand), it will cost you € 23,50.
Accessibility
From Emmen Central Station, buses 93, 94, and 95 take you to De Oude Meerdijk. If you plan to travel by car, there is plenty of place to park around the stadium.
Images: BSR Agency, Wikimedia Commons
