Mark van der Maarel: A Legacy of Loyalty and Dedication at FC Utrecht

The FC Utrecht audience was introduced to Van der Maarel for the first time on September 20, 2009, who then made his official debut for FC Utrecht as a substitute in an away match against ADO Den Haag. Three days later, in a cup match with FC Groningen, the defender is in the starting line-up for FC Utrecht for the first time and makes his first official playing minutes in Stadion Galgenwaard on behalf of the flagship of the Domstedelingen.

Many hundreds of matches follow. Players and staff come and go, but every year he appears in the team photo with his characteristic smile: Mark van der Maarel. He does not always have an easy time in the cathedral city, where the public was regularly critical of Van der Maarel. He perseveres, continues to work hard on the training field and commands a starting spot under every trainer in front of the group at some point. Whether as a right back, in the center of the defense or on the left flank: Van der Maarel always rises to the top, never gives up and in this way also conquers the hearts of the public, who appreciate the versatile rearguard player not only for his work ethic but also his club loyalty.

This loyalty forms the foundation for the fact that Van der Maarel is now also starting his social career at FC Utrecht. After this season, when the winner of the 2017/2018 David di Tommaso Trophy has put away his kicks, Van der Maarel will start working in the office organization of FC Utrecht. The range of tasks will be shaped in the coming period. Until then, like everyone at Utrecht FC has come to expect from him since 2009, he will continue to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the first team. Together with the supporters’ sections, we will be working on a suitable farewell in the coming months. This will be communicated at a later time.

“It is something I have been struggling with for some time and also find difficult,” Van der Maarel begins the interview from the center spot in ‘his’ Galgenwaard Stadium. “But I think it is the right decision to stop at the end of the season. You give everything you have and soul and happiness every day. You have a bond with it. If you then come to the conclusion, emotionally, that you can no longer fully express yourself, then that is a difficult conclusion to draw.”

He says the following about his future plans at FC Utrecht: “A process that has already started at the back. I am very happy with how the club sees me and how they have expressed their confidence to discover together what will happen, and that will be more on the policy side. We are now shaping that and it also gives a lot of energy. The club is ambitious and so much more is possible, I would really like to help with that. The way the club treats me now also makes it easier to quit. I feel the respect there and that is a nice safety net to build on.”

But first the coming months will be all about ‘the last times’, as Van der Maarel knows: “The club is ambitious, we all want something. I hope I can contribute to that. We don’t have to complain about loyalty to supporters because it is there, especially lately and I find that very special. For me personally but also in a broader sense. I hope that we can all have a great party on the last Sunday of the play-offs, especially the part with all of us that I think is important. That’s my dream anyway.”

“What Mark has meant, and still does, for FC Utrecht cannot be summarized in a few sentences,” said Technical Director Jordy Zuidam. “What he has done is quite unique, especially in this day and age. Sixteen years of playing with heart and soul for one club. Then you are an icon. Over the years, Mark has become a poster boy, an extension, a cultural custodian and a rock, both on and off the field. I have a lot of respect for Mark as a person and as a footballer. I know how difficult it was for him to make this choice. Mark is a winner. I am very happy that we are jointly examining in what capacity he can remain associated with FC Utrecht after this season. Because there is no doubt that we can also use his experiences, knowledge and skills outside the field. Naturally, we will prepare a fitting farewell for Mark in the coming months.”