Terminally Ill Feyenoord Fan Has Final Wish Granted, Given Tear Jerking VIP Treatment At De Kuip (Video)

Chris Wright

26th, July 2013

6 Comments

By Chris Wright

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Having been told he had terminal cancer and just days to live, the last wish of 54-year-old lifelong Feyenoord fan “Rooie Marck” (Red Mark) was to attend the Dutch club’s first training session of the season.

Fans of the club traditionally turn out in decent numbers to watch the session held annually at De Kuip, though 2013’s vintage was just that little bit more emotional as Feyenoord supporters and ultras turning out in their thousands to help make Mark’s day as special as possible.

With his illness leaving him too weak to walk, Mark’s friends made arrangements with the club for him to bought out onto the pitch in his hospital bed, while the Feyenoord fans chanted his name, gave him a banner salute, lit red flares and serenaded him with a powerful rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before he met and shook hands with all the players.

This is a tear-jerker…

Oh dear, our eyes are sweating a bit after that one.

Sadly, Mark died just three days after this footage was taken, though he went out in formidable style – and his funeral procession through the streets of the city was bloody impressive too.

RIP Rooie.

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6 Comments

  1. Mitchell says:

    Jesus, this room must be really dusty.

  2. Ross says:

    God bless the Dutch! What a send off for Mark, unfortunate circumstances but what a way to bow out.
    This just shows that all football fans aren’t heartless hooligans as the media would have us believe!
    From one football fan to another, RIP!

  3. squiggle says:

    From the link:

    Lieve vrienden,

    Het is tijd. Tijd om te vliegen. Heel hoog. Heel ver.
    Als een geluksvogel. Gezegend. Gelukkig. Voldaan.
    Lieve vrienden,

    Het is tijd. Tijd om te vliegen. Heel hoog. Heel ver.
    Als een geluksvogel. Gezegend. Gelukkig. Voldaan.
    Huil daarom niet omdat ik ben gestorven,
    maar geniet dat we samen hebben geleefd

    Vaarwel, lieve vrienden, jullie vliegen eeuwig mee.

    Marck

    I had a rough go at translating it (via Afrikaans):

    Dear friends,

    It’s time. Time to fly. Very high, Very far.
    As one who is fortunate. Blessed. Happy. Fulfilled.
    So don’t cry because I’m dead,
    but be happy that we lived together.

    Farewell, dear friends, you fly with me forever.

    Marck

  4. Steve-o says:

    It wasn’t lung cancer, was it? Because….anyways, nice send off.

  5. TravisKOP says:

    sincerity transcends all barriers. YNWA Mark

  6. sleeba says:

    Much respect to Ultras@Feyenoord I hope any British team that may play them this season will show them the same respect. RIP Marck

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