Welcome to Volume Two of my blog which covers all clubs and stadiums outside the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.

Since I was a little lad I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds and see games wherever possible.

I was fortunate that my Dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.

I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and maybe one day set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends and stories to pass on to future generations.

Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my Dad Bob Bernard and my Mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and encouragement to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement and Sally and Stan who inspire and give me great pride. Stan is showing a keen interest in my hobby as he grows into a young man!

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. If you want to see any ground reviewed please let me know. It will take quite some time for everywhere to appear, but make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.

If you click on a lot of the pictures you will get a larger version on your screen.

I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

Click here to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.

Rob Bernard

London

May 2020

Sunday 26 January 2014

VOSTA (Holland)


VOSTA, Vooruit Omhoog Sportief Trots Alles, is an amateur football club based in north Enschede in the north east of The Netherlands. The club were formed on the 15th September 1926 by Mr A Moss at cafe Oostburg.


In 1931 VOSTA began playing at a ground on Steenweg, before moving to Sportpark Schreurserve at Minkmaatstraat four years later. The first playing record of the club points to them being members of Zondag, Sunday Tweede Klasse 2A in which a third place in 1943-44 was their best performance.


The team was relegated in 1950-51 before the team won Derde Klasse 3A in 1953-54, 1956-57 and again in 1959-60 which was rewarded with promotion. VOSTA’s momentum continued with a third place in 2B before securing the championship in 1961-62.

The first clubhouse was opened as the club reached Eerste klasse football, the highest amateur level of the day, playing in division 1D. Their highest finish came in 1966-67 when the team ended in sixth, before being relegated in 1968-69.

The decline continued with a further demotion in 1970-71 where VOSTA recovered with a couple of runners-up finishes in Derde Klasse 3A before taking the title in 1973-74. Two further second places ensued back in 2B before the side was relegated in 1976-77.

The 3A title was clinched again the following season, with their Tweede klasse spell lasting just two years before dropping back down again a few weeks after VOSTA opened a new clubhouse on March 15th 1980.

A trio of third places ensued before the team was relegated once again down to Vierde Klasse 4A which title was won at the first time of asking in 1988-89. Consecutive Derde klasse runners-up places in 1990-91 and 1991-92 was backed up with the title in 1993-94.

Tweede klasse competition lasted two seasons before VOSTA dropped back down in 1995-96 and again twelve months later to return to Vierde Klasse 4A. Another three third places would be as good as it got for the following decade before the team was relegated to Vijfde Klasse 5B.

Promotion through the play-offs was achieved in 2008-09 with VOSTA remaining in Vierde Klasse 4A until they went back down in 2011-12. Twelve months later the club regained their status, again through the play-offs, but were relegated again in 2014-15.

Back in the tenth tier Vijfde Klasse 5A, the lowest level of KNVB football, VOSTA finished bottom in 2016-17 before recovering to fourth place before a couple of low placed finishes including in the aborted 2019-20 campaign.

VOSTA will play in the Zondag Vijfde Klasse 5E Oost in the 2020-21 season.


My visit

Saturday 18th January 2014

To be perfectly honest I had never heard of VOSTA until I came across their neat venue when visiting cvv Sparta Enschede who occupied the rest of Sportpark Schreurserve. When taking photos of their venue I saw another ground with separate facilities, so naturally I went to take a look.


VOSTA’s headquarters were suited to a higher grade of football. A decent seated stand was on the same side as the clubhouse and changing rooms. The grass pitch had a rail and hard standing all the way around it as well as turf beyond. 


At the Minkmaatstraat end a sand volleyball court was set out. In front of the clubhouse was a concourse with chairs and tables with a fenced playground in front. The football enthusiast certainly had the best of both worlds with two impressive football clubs, playing on different days of the weekend to hold their attention.


My luck was definitely in. I had previously considered a bus ride up to Oldenzaal to visit Be Quick, but time was extremely tight. I stumbled across the Hyacintstraat bus stop virtually outside the ground and within minutes the no.6 was taking me back to Enschede station in time to catch a waiting train back to Hengelo.







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