20 years of ADHD: Active DieHards Deventer 20th anniversary

Words: Active DieHards Deventer.

Images: Han Balk.

Saturday, March 30, 2024, had been circled in our agenda for quite some time. Not only because Go Ahead Eagles were playing a home game, but primarily because Active DieHards Deventer celebrated its twentieth anniversary on that day.

It was a very special match day for us, on which we made several big gestures. The preparations for this significant encounter began well in advance, in October 2023.

The initial meetings were scheduled with the anniversary as the main theme. Much was discussed, and it quickly became apparent that there was plenty to do.

In December, we started painting various banners. In January, we sat down with the club. Our wishes were clear and laid on the table: Our music for the players’ entrance, flags on the roof edge, and fireworks at the training ground.

Finally, Saturday arrived and we got to De Adelaarshorst in the early afternoon for the 8.00pm kick-off against Excelsior.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Active DieHards Deventer 20 Years anniversary.

A rehearsal was made near impossible due to strong winds, meaning the display at the match came with some jeopardy,

There wasn’t much time to dwell on this because we had to leave for the pre-match meet in the Brink square in Deventer. Hundreds of supporters gathered in the historic square to show the connection we have with our city.

By half past five, fireworks were being set off and plenty of pints drunk and we prepared the “20 YEARS” banner which symbolises two decades of active support for Go Ahead Eagles for our group since it started.

A large part of Kowet faces on the terraces gathered behind the banner. Smoke bombs and torches were lit, while the first songs echoed across the square. Then it was time to depart. The group was huge and the Deventer police later confirmed that there were about 1500 supporters. A fantastic number for a Go Ahead corteo.

Fireworks were also set off and noise made along the way. Occasionally, the large group came to a halt so that firework pots could be ignited.

After a march through the city centre, the stadium came into view. We stopped one last time under the Veentunnel. The chant “Everywhere We Go” sounded even more beautiful in the confined space.

There was mass singing and clapping: the recipe for goosebumps for followers of Kowet. Once at the stadium, most fans went their own way, towards the supporters’ home or the stands. We then gathered one last time to finalize the details. Everyone then took up their tasks in or around the stadium. It was time for action.

The moment had come; before the entrance of both teams, a banner measuring 110×7.5 metres was raised in the IJsseltribune. The banner covered an area of 825 m², featuring the text “20 Years Active DieHards Deventer” and was finished with our logo. The latter was raised as a separate banner, creating a beautiful 3D effect.

A fantastic banner also appeared on the B-Side. This banner was 70×7.5 meters, consisting of 525 m² of fabric, and showcased some highlights from 20 years of ADHD: the first display in 2003, the well-known pole action, the establishment, the spontaneous “why red” banner, the corteo in 2019, the new logo, and the bridge action of 2021.

Meanwhile, The club had fulfilled all our wishes: our flags waved on the roof edge, special music was played during the walk out of both teams, and a fireworks show was launched from the training ground nearby.

In addition, the club had gone the extra mile by also featuring our logo on the corner flags and the shirts (!).

The display was received with applause by everyone in the stadium. When all the banners were up, there was a feeling of relief. Part one was successful but there was more to come in the second half.

The B-Side, the home terrace of Go Ahead, made themselves heard in the first-half, despite not being served high-quality football. The Icelandic Willum Þór Willumsson raised the heat in the first half when he scored from close range just before half-time: 1-0.

After the break it was time for part two of the proceedings.

As the teams emerged, a banner measuring 70×3 meters was raised on the B-Side, bearing the text “20 years united by unconditional love for club and city” was hoisted. Meanwhile, a background banner with the years 2004 and 2024 completed the picture.

This display also went smoothly, and when the second half began, we took a moment to truly appreciate what had happened. All those months of preparation, all those evenings painting, and all the discussions with the club had been worthwhile.

The eleven men in red and yellow ultimately complete the evening, securing a win at the Vetkampstraat.

After the match, we enjoyed a well-deserved beer with everyone from ADHD and looked back on this day which celebrated everything that Kowet is about.

Here’s to the next twenty years and many more after that!