Magical Meijer lays hands to rest

While players and coaches have come and gone in the last 50 years, one person has always remained part of the furniture at De Kuip – Feyenoord masseur Gerard Meijer.

Half a century
Having joined the Rotterdam club in 1959, Meijer said farewell after half a century of service following the final match of the regular Eredivisie season, Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Roda JC. Aged 73, Meijer will retire after the end-of-season play-off matches which will decide whether Feyenoord will participate in the inaugural UEFA Europa League in 2009/10. "It's better this way – now I can get used to the idea for a few weeks," he said.

Famous hands
A host of former players, including Willem van Hanegem, Coen Moulijn, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Paul Bosvelt were at Sunday's match to thank Meijer, and his magical hands, which have also helped famous names such as Ove Kindvall, Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Henrik Larsson, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Salomon Kalou. "You have to be able to listen and see with your fingers," added Meijer, who learned the trade from his father at a boxing gym when he was 14. "Your hands are your ears and eyes."

Young at heart
Meijer became a figure of trust for the players, often being the first person to hear their troubles. "I always try to empathise with them, and I really mean that, but at the same time I tried to explain the other side of the coin to them," added Meijer, who said he still feels sprightly having worked with young players on a daily basis. "When I hear men of my age talk I think they are nagging. I work with young lads every day and listen to their music so I know what keeps them busy. That keeps you young."

Cult hero
With players and coaches changing clubs faster then ever before, Meijer's loyalty has made him a cult figure − he even became a life ambassador after winning an election in 2008 as part of Feyenoord's centenary celebrations. After 50 years of highs – including a European Champion Clubs' Cup triumph in 1970 and two UEFA Cup wins (1974, 2002) – and lows, the end where Feyenoord's most fanatical supporters congregate, the Stadiontribune, has been renamed the Gerard Meijer tribune as a reward for his dedication.

Send-off
"It's amazing to receive something like this when you're just a masseur – it's unbelievable," said a tearful Meijer. To the tune of 'You'll never walk alone', performed by Rotterdam singer Lee Towers, Meijer departed the De Kuip in style. In a manner normally reserved for new signings at the start of the season, Meijer left the stadium in the special Feyenoord helicopter.