While a championship celebration erupted on one side of the field, it was silent on the other. The 5-2 loss against Laren sealed HGC’s fate once again. The team from Wassenaar, which until last year never relegated from the big league, will next season play on the third level.. ‘It may sound crazy, but somewhere I am also proud.’
For a moment, HGC still had hope. Hope for the necessary victory to avoid direct relegation. Maurits Schut gave HGC the lead after seven minutes. But the joy was only short-lived. The loss against Laren was ultimately nothing to complain about. No matter how smart the actions of Seve van Ass were and how solid the defense of Floris Benschop and captain Vincent Langenhuijsen was: HGC simply lacked the quality to really challenge the champion.
Whereas last year’s relegation came as a bolt from the blue, this season’s was less unexpected. With a completely new team, apart from captain Langenhuijsen, consisting mainly of young and inexperienced players, HGC basically had to start from scratch. From the start, the level proved to be just too high. The team was spared giant defeats, but almost always came up short to win points. HGC certainly has talent, but the differences in level were just as obvious.
Disappointment at HGC: the team did not make it into the Promotion League. Photo: Rob Römer
No shame
The outcome, the second relegation in a row, is nevertheless painful. Until last year, the club played 51 consecutive years in the big league. Achieved successes, both nationally and at the European level. Produced such stars as Marc Delissen and Bram Lomans. Olympic champion Seve van Ass emerged as a defining player for the Dutch national team. Now the same Van Ass, called up for the last three games of the season, witnessed from inside the lines how HGC dropped to the third level of the Netherlands.
Langenhuijsen reacted resignedly afterwards. At the beginning of the season I said we were going for survival. Players came from everywhere and nowhere. Nobody talked to each other. But we were never beaten. Not even when Floris Benschop and Seve weren’t participating. And eventually this became a group of friends. Most of the guys are about the same age. It may sound crazy, but that together makes me proud. And that I see perspective for the future.’
According to the defender, the club itself is not upset either. ‘There is certainly no outrage that we are now going to play Transitional Class. They are more concerned with continuity. That the team doesn’t fall apart again. That’s why I quickly said myself that I will stay with HGC. Many guys have given that same commitment. Eighty percent will stay together and then we will go for it in the Overgangsklasse. A few will leave. You can’t escape that. But basically we stay together and the ambition is to make HGC a stable promotion class player. For many guests, this level was just a bit too high, but I think they will be ready for it in eighteen months’ time.
The relatively inexperienced HGC was unable to stop Laren last Sunday. Photo: Rob Römer
‘This team has a special place in my heart’
For Langenhuijsen himself, it was an especially intense season. In the winter, his father, the co-founder of the current HGC Men’s 1, passed away. ‘It was an extremely turbulent, tough six months. That’s also what makes the bond with this team so special. They have a special place in my heart because they were there during the period when I could barely stand on my feet from grief. It remains difficult to miss my father. Not being able to call him to discuss something or ask for his help.
It is precisely from the memory of his father that Langenhuijsen now gets the strength to keep looking up. To remain loyal to HGC instead of choosing a level that suits his record better. ‘At the end of the day, field hockey remains fun. Every Sunday I enjoy being on the field. And to see the boys getting better and having fun. As soon as I lose the positivity, the rest of the team goes along with it. That’s how I was raised. Being positive and loyal. Even if the circumstances are less cheerful.’
by Hockey.nl
