Jan Smit lashes out at native village: ‘Poisoned by jealousy’

The club evening of FC Volendam did not go so well last night. Although chairman Jan Smit first called his native village the eighth wonder of the world, he later called it a village “poisoned by jealousy, stupidity, incitement and rancor.”

“They spread lies and stab a dagger in a back laughing. We are here to tell the truth.” Smit did not say exactly who he was talking about during the club night.

???? Clear language from Jan Smit:

“Our village is being poisoned by some people full of jealousy, ignorance and above all sheer stupidity” pic.twitter.com/5ECiCF8UAO

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 9, 2023

Unrest behind the scenes at FC Volendam

Since 1 July last year, Smit has been chairman of the FC Volendam football club, succeeding Piet Kemper. Volendam was promoted to the Eredivisie last season after thirteen years with trainer Wim Jonk and is now the proud number 14 in the Netherlands. Yet there is criticism of Jonk, technical director Jasper van Leeuwen and director of football development Ruben Jongkind, who call themselves ‘Team Jonk’ together with a few confidants. They would take over the club, spend too much money and let the youth academy function insufficiently.

The Supervisory Board (RVC) recently wanted to terminate the contracts of the three gentlemen as of 1 April. Smit says he felt “screwed” and responded last Tuesday with the message that the commitments of Jonk, his staff members and management will be extended until 2026. That same evening, the board and the supervisory board sat at the table for more than four hours. That conversation resulted in a temporary truce in the power struggle.

But that truce was hardly noticeable during the club night. It is therefore highly questionable whether everything will work out between Jonk and the supervisory board. “You did not want to extend our contracts, Jaap,” said the trainer last night. “While the club is finally doing well again. The stadium is full again and children are wearing orange shirts. You think it is also a passed station that Keje Molenaar joins the board. But that’s not it for us.”

Calm would be back at FC Volendam, but none of that. Now at an information evening with a discussion between the board with Jan Smit and team Jonk on the one hand and chairman of the Supervisory Board on the other. With accusations back and forth, unprecedented. Chairman RvC Veerman: “I am thrown in front of the bus.”

— Milan van Dongen (@milanvandongen) March 9, 2023

Jan Smit guarantees millions of shortfalls

The budget was also a topic of discussion during the club night. FC Volendam has a deficit of 1.2 million euros on a budget of more than 9 million euros. “But that can be almost 2 million euros,” said Supervisory Board chairman Jaap Veerman suddenly from the audience. “What if we stay in the Eredivisie, then we have to pay bonuses.”

“I think this is so low of you Jaap”, Smit responded immediately. “We talked for four hours on Tuesday and you from the supervisory board approved everything. Then we smoked a peace pipe and now you start like this. I prefer not to say it, but I personally guarantee a deficit of 1.2 million euros.”

Good reactions to Jan Smit’s speech

Smit’s words about Volendam are met with many positive reactions. „2-0 for Jan Smit. Clear language. How happy FC Volendam can be with Jan in the management. Keep fighting for this beautiful club Jan”, writes one person on Twitter. “Beautiful and clear language from Jan Smit. Goal in mind and go. Nice to see,” another tweeted.

2-0 ahead @JanSmit Clear language. What is allowed @fcvolendam happy with Jan on the board. Keep fighting for this beautiful club Jan. #Volendam https://t.co/4Nx56rWh63

— Wim van Meerveld (@wimvanmeerveld) March 9, 2023

Beautiful and clear language from Jan Smit. Goal in mind and go. Nice to see. https://t.co/VxODOLNkHj

— Johnny (@JohnnyBielek) March 9, 2023

Well spoken @JanSmit

— Ilona Meijer (@IlonaMeijer3) March 9, 2023

Wise words from a good man. Jan Smit says it exactly as it is. https://t.co/5oADmCFRMi

— Rick Steinmeier (@RickSteinmeier) March 9, 2023

You can find a lot of Jan Smit.
But he does this, this speech as chairman of FC Volendam very well. https://t.co/UL9DO5BIW8

— Pjotr_NL (@NlPjotr) March 10, 2023

However, the municipality of Volendam and mayor Lieke Sievers will not respond to Smit’s fierce statements. A spokesperson for the municipality said this on Friday when asked.

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