Every team in the Kitchen Champion Division has its own routiniers, the experienced men who take the team in tow. In the Routiniers section Voetbalzone, the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division, highlights one of these experienced players. This time, with attention to Erik Falkenburg, who, after more than three hundred matches in the Eredivisie, has settled at Roda JC Kerkrade.

By Thijs Verhaar

“Do other footballers find it difficult to say whether they have made the most of their careers? Oh, I don’t think that’s a difficult question at all, ”laughs Falkenburg. “I certainly do, my way. I would have signed up immediately if people had told me as a fourteen-year-old that at the age of 32 I would still be a professional footballer and that I would always have been able to play at great clubs. ” The attacking midfielder started his career at Sparta Rotterdam and was picked up after three seasons by AZ, which lent him to NEC and later Go Ahead Eagles. This was followed by employment contracts at NAC Breda, Willem II, ADO The Hague and now Roda JC, where he settled at the beginning of this season at the insistence of his old trainer Jurgen Streppel.

In Kerkrade he has to be one of the driving forces with his experience, although he does not see himself as someone who sets the lines. “I do bring a lot of energy into the team with my game and I create a good atmosphere in my way,” Falkenburg explains his role in the team. “I can talk well with young boys and I really enjoy doing that. I have already made a long journey as a football player and I think it is great that I can share that with guests who have yet to experience everything. When a great talent like Benjamin Bouchouari asks me for advice, I am more than happy to give it to him. That is how I had to learn the trade myself. ” A broad grin follows. “Maybe that is indeed the first step towards a trainer’s career, but I am not serious about that yet. Let me play football first. ”

Falkenburg still enjoys the game enormously and especially all the contacts he has gained at all his clubs. “It really matters to me that a few guys from my previous club ADO asked when I left if they could call me if they ever need advice.” That reminds the midfielder of his own debut year in professional football. “At the time, I liked to go out for cards or coffee at Sparta with guests like Yuri Rose, Cor Varkevisser and Arne Slot. The experienced guard of the team. I think Slot was only 28 or something, but I remember well that I always called him Papa Arne. Simply because he took such care of me and other talents. I am therefore not surprised that he has become a good trainer. ”

Falkenburg as a young talent from Sparta between the experienced Edwin van Bueren and the current AZ trainer Arne Slot.

At the time, Falkenburg played in a team with great talents such as Kevin Strootman, Marten de Roon and Nick Viergever, who all made it to the Dutch national team. He himself never got further than the Dutch Juniors, where he was good for three hits in three youth matches. A step towards the Dutch national team seemed like a matter of time when he made the transfer from Sparta to AZ, but he was not able to settle there. “In retrospect, we can certainly say that that period was not successful for me,” Falkenburg shrugs. “I said that I got everything out of it and I still try, but not every choice works out well, of course. Nobody can. Still, I don’t regret anything in my career. ” The only thing missing from his career at first glance is a foreign adventure. “I have had that ambition, but I also just love the Netherlands a lot as a football country.”

During his time at AZ, he once had the chance to go to the Greek top club Panathinaikos, but that did not get off the ground, as an offer from the second Bundesliga did not take place after his stay with Willem II. “It could have been great adventures, but I am just quickly convinced when I receive a nice offer from the Netherlands, where I am sure that everything is well organized.” The fact that he has received the stamp of a club hopper through his many domestic transfers does not affect him. “I would like to add another ten seasons, as long as I have the feeling that I can add value with my way of playing. As long as I can play football, I love it. I have almost had half the Eredivisie and have now started in the Kitchen Champion Division, so now I can finish the list ”, he chuckles.

In a more serious tone, Falkenburg continues that he doesn’t really know why he has never played at a professional club for more than three years. “That just happened. Of course it has partly to do with those rentals at AZ ”, the attacking midfielder reasons. “Then you quickly have three clubs and I have never received very long contracts. That is a good thing, because I just really enjoy experiencing different places with other people. I am not really a globetrotter, but I have seen a lot of the Netherlands ”, says Falkenburg, who says he has experienced ‘beautiful and less beautiful moments’ in his long career. “I have had good moments at all clubs, although Sparta is of course in my heart because I experienced everything there for the first time. I am always grateful to people for that. Counting the youth, I ended up walking around there for nine years, so I didn’t leave everywhere quickly. ”

Falkenburg made his professional debut in Het Kasteel, scored his first goals, became a youth international and earned his transfer to AZ. “Unfortunately, that was after a relegation, so that stings. On a personal level I was able to rectify this later by keeping Willem II in it with two goals in the final of the play-offs. ” He made those hits in 2016 against his old club and fellow countryman NAC Breda. “There was so much pressure on that game, unbelievable. After my switch I received messages from the NAC fans all year round and I understand that. After those goals that didn’t get any better, of course, but I just played for Willem II and I just give everything for the club where I am under contract. Because of the sentiment I did consider having the transfer canceled, but Jurgen Streppel convinced me with his story and I have seized all the opportunities that were offered me throughout my life. ”

Perhaps the highlight of Falkenburg: in 2016 he was king of the play-offs for promotion / relegation.

The attacking midfielder made no fewer than fifteen goals for the Tilburg team in the 2015/16 season, including four in the play-off duels for promotion / relegation and thus had perhaps the biggest highlight of his career. “From a sporting point of view that was my best year, but I also had a great time at Go Ahead Eagles, for example, and of course at Sparta. The Eagles just came at the right time for me. At that time I no longer played at AZ at all and slowly lost the pleasure in the sport, as I also had a period at ADO Den Haag. Of course there are not only highlights ”, also knows Falkenburg, who has remained free from serious injuries in his career. “Now I have some minor pains, but that must also be part of the age, right? And with my game of course, because I will remain someone who likes to fly in it. ”

The now 32-year-old Falkenburg should definitely not think about stopping. “No, I still enjoy it far too much for that. I love my job. I continue to find it special that I get paid for my hobby. As a 25-year-old, I never understood that the older players said to me that I had to enjoy it above all, but before you know it you are suddenly 32 and you are asked to join the Routiniers section ”, the native from Leiden laughs. With Roda, he hopes to play as much as possible this season and perhaps reach the play-offs. “I missed some games in the beginning due to a red card and two minor injuries, but I expect to be there again this weekend. I think it’s a nice club with a beautiful environment. I hope to be of value here again by going all out and scoring my goals. If I ever give up, I hope people remember me that way. Then I can be satisfied. ”

Voetbalzone is the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division

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