Rob van Dijk
Encyclopedia
Robert 'Rob' van Dijk is a Dutch
footballer who plays for FC Utrecht as a goalkeeper
.
, South Holland
. In his youth, he never thought he would make it to became a professional footballer. He only enjoyed playing football with his friends on amateur level, while his dream was to become a physical education teacher
.
: "I was the last man to kick all the balls away, while Edwin did the rest. It was a nice time. I still talk to him occasionally."
At the age of 19, van Dijk started playing futsal
with some friends in a recreational team. As someone had to be the goalkeeper, he made the sacrifice, which went well above expectation. When van der Sar left Foreholte for vv Noordwijk, van Dijk switched his position on the field and became the goalkeeper of the club's reserves, being promoted to the first team after one season.
Quickly various professional sides were interested in the talented goalkeeper, and van Dijk had a short trial at Ajax Amsterdam, who were in need of a third goalkeeper. However, Ajax decided to pick his former teammate van der Sar, while van Dijk went on to have a short spell at vv Noordwijk as van der Sar's successor, but soon grabbed the chance to become reserve goalkeeper at Feyenoord.
match against Vitesse (2–2), after starting keeper Ed de Goey was sent off after a foul in the penalty area. Phillip Cocu
scored the penalty kick and became the first player to score against van Dijk on professional level. Van Dijk had his highlight two years after his debut: on 30 November 1994, he replaced the injured de Goey in the cup
contest against Willem II (1–1 aet), performing well enough to earn Man of the match
accolades, after a penalty shootout.
After four seasons playing only four league matches for Feyenoord, van Dijk decided to request a transfer: "De Goey wasn't going to leave. That was pretty much it. I've been a substitute behind Ed for four years. At the moment I had the chance, it didn't look like De Goey would leave any time soon. At RKC Waalwijk
I could become the first goalkeeper."
Van Dijk stayed at RKC Waalwijk for seven consecutive seasons, playing a total of 214 Eredivisie matches for the club. Just before the final fixture of 2002–03, it was announced the goalkeeper would strengthen PSV Eindhoven's squad during the next season.
At PSV, van Dijk signed a two-year deal with the reigning champions of the Netherlands, backing up experienced Ronald Waterreus
for the entire campaign, with only one appearance to his credit: on 16 May 2004, he was placed in goal when PSV traveled to AZ and recorded a 2–4 win. For 2004–05, he would become fourth-choice, behind Heurelho Gomes, Edwin Zoetebier
and Nathan Coe
.
Van Dijk had one year left of his contract in Eindhoven, but was able to leave the club on a free transfer by mutual agreement. On 9 July 2004, he left the club and signed with De Graafschap
.
Van Dijk signed for two years at De Graafschap, but missed the majority of his first year, due to a knee injury; the full recovery took months, as the doctors discovered severe cartilage wear. De Graafschap finished on the 17th place and relegated to the second level
.
Subsequently, van Dijk returned to RKC in the summer of 2005, becoming first choice and not missing one single match during his first season. However, he had a less successful season 2006–07 as, due to bad results, RKC Waalwijk coach Adrie Koster was fired on November 27, 2006. The new coach, Mark Wotte
, started experimenting with reserve goalkeeper Jurgen Wevers
, who eventually became first-choice.
On 30 January 2007, SC Heerenveen announced the arrival of van Dijk as their new reserve, behind Brian Vandenbussche
. He stayed at the club for two years, amassing a total of 15 first division games.
On 1 September 2008, 39-year old van Dijk returned to Feyenoord. He was promoted to starter in his second year
, following the retirement of another veteran, Henk Timmer
.
On 24 October 2010, 41-year old van Dijk was in goal as Feyenoord lost 0–10 at former team PSV, the club's heaviest defeat ever. He retired from football at the end of the season
, having appeared 17 times in the league; on 9 August 2011, however, it was announced that the player had signed a one-year contract with FC Utrecht, as Michel Vorm
signed for Swansea City
and Roberto Fernández
was out for three months with an injury.
|1992–93||rowspan="4"|Feyenoord||rowspan="4"|Eredivisie
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|1993–94||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|1994–95||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|1995–96||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|1996–97||rowspan="7"|RKC
||rowspan="7"|Eredivisie
||33||0||0||0||0||0||33||0
|-
|1997–98||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|1998–99||32||0||0||0||0||0||32||0
|-
|1999–00||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|2000–01||32||0||0||0||0||0||32||0
|-
|2001–02||24||0||0||0||0||0||24||0
|-
|2002–03||23||0||0||0||0||0||23||0
|-
|2003–04||rowspan="1"|PSV||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|2004–05||rowspan="1"|De Graafschap
||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
||14||0||0||0||0||0||14||0
|-
|2005–06||rowspan="2"|RKC
||rowspan="2"|Eredivisie
||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006–07||19||0||0||0||0||0||19||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|Heerenveen||rowspan="3"|Eredivisie
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2007–08||15||0||0||0||0||0||15||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008–09||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|Feyenoord||rowspan="2"|Eredivisie
||6||0||0||0||0||0||6||0
|-
|2009–10
||23||0||0||0||0||0||23||0
|-
|2010-11||18||0||0||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|2011-12||rowspan"2"|Utrecht||rowspan"2"|Eredivisie
||5||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
351||0||0||0||0||0||351||0
351||0||0||0||0||0||351||0
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who plays for FC Utrecht as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
Early life
Van Dijk was born in VoorhoutVoorhout
thumb|250px|right|Location of Voorhout.Voorhout is a town and former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The former municipality covered an area of 12.59 km² of which 0.33 km² is covered by water, and had a population of 14,792 in 2004...
, South Holland
South Holland
South Holland is a province situated on the North Sea in the western part of the Netherlands. The provincial capital is The Hague and its largest city is Rotterdam.South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world...
. In his youth, he never thought he would make it to became a professional footballer. He only enjoyed playing football with his friends on amateur level, while his dream was to become a physical education teacher
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
.
Youth career
Van Dijk started his career at local team Foreholte, as a meritorious sweeper, who 'roamed' around the back line. Goalkeeper in his team was two-year younger Edwin van der SarEdwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
: "I was the last man to kick all the balls away, while Edwin did the rest. It was a nice time. I still talk to him occasionally."
At the age of 19, van Dijk started playing futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
with some friends in a recreational team. As someone had to be the goalkeeper, he made the sacrifice, which went well above expectation. When van der Sar left Foreholte for vv Noordwijk, van Dijk switched his position on the field and became the goalkeeper of the club's reserves, being promoted to the first team after one season.
Quickly various professional sides were interested in the talented goalkeeper, and van Dijk had a short trial at Ajax Amsterdam, who were in need of a third goalkeeper. However, Ajax decided to pick his former teammate van der Sar, while van Dijk went on to have a short spell at vv Noordwijk as van der Sar's successor, but soon grabbed the chance to become reserve goalkeeper at Feyenoord.
Professional career
Only three years after the playing position switch, van Dijk made his goalkeeping debut in Feyenoord's first team. On 5 December 1992, he replaced Dean Gorré in the 59th minute of the first divisionEredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
match against Vitesse (2–2), after starting keeper Ed de Goey was sent off after a foul in the penalty area. Phillip Cocu
Phillip Cocu
Phillip John William Cocu is a former Dutch football midfielder who is currently an assistant manager of the Dutch national team and Dutch club PSV...
scored the penalty kick and became the first player to score against van Dijk on professional level. Van Dijk had his highlight two years after his debut: on 30 November 1994, he replaced the injured de Goey in the cup
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
contest against Willem II (1–1 aet), performing well enough to earn Man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
accolades, after a penalty shootout.
After four seasons playing only four league matches for Feyenoord, van Dijk decided to request a transfer: "De Goey wasn't going to leave. That was pretty much it. I've been a substitute behind Ed for four years. At the moment I had the chance, it didn't look like De Goey would leave any time soon. At RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
I could become the first goalkeeper."
Van Dijk stayed at RKC Waalwijk for seven consecutive seasons, playing a total of 214 Eredivisie matches for the club. Just before the final fixture of 2002–03, it was announced the goalkeeper would strengthen PSV Eindhoven's squad during the next season.
At PSV, van Dijk signed a two-year deal with the reigning champions of the Netherlands, backing up experienced Ronald Waterreus
Ronald Waterreus
Ronald Katarina Martinus Waterreus is a former Dutch football goalkeeper, who most notably played for PSV Eindhoven, before ending his career at New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer.-Club career:...
for the entire campaign, with only one appearance to his credit: on 16 May 2004, he was placed in goal when PSV traveled to AZ and recorded a 2–4 win. For 2004–05, he would become fourth-choice, behind Heurelho Gomes, Edwin Zoetebier
Edwin Zoetebier
Eduard "Edwin" Andreas Dominicus Hendricus Jozef Zoetebier is a former football goalkeeper from the Netherlands, who started his professional career in the 1988-1989 season playing for FC Volendam. He later served Sunderland, Feyenoord, Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven and NAC Breda...
and Nathan Coe
Nathan Coe
Nathan Coe is an Australian football goalkeeper who plays for SønderjyskE.-Club career:Born in Brisbane Coe started his career with Brisbane Strikers. He moved to Italian Internazionale and later to Dutch PSV Eindhoven. Here he won the 2006 Eredivisie. On 31 January 2007 he moved to Danish F.C...
.
Van Dijk had one year left of his contract in Eindhoven, but was able to leave the club on a free transfer by mutual agreement. On 9 July 2004, he left the club and signed with De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
.
Van Dijk signed for two years at De Graafschap, but missed the majority of his first year, due to a knee injury; the full recovery took months, as the doctors discovered severe cartilage wear. De Graafschap finished on the 17th place and relegated to the second level
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
.
Subsequently, van Dijk returned to RKC in the summer of 2005, becoming first choice and not missing one single match during his first season. However, he had a less successful season 2006–07 as, due to bad results, RKC Waalwijk coach Adrie Koster was fired on November 27, 2006. The new coach, Mark Wotte
Mark Wotte
Mark Wotte is a football manager from the Netherlands, who has managed teams in the Netherlands, Egypt, Qatar, England and Romania. He is currently the performance director of the Scottish Football Association....
, started experimenting with reserve goalkeeper Jurgen Wevers
Jurgen Wevers
Jurgen Wevers is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for FC Oss. Wevers plays as a goalkeeper. He formerly played for De Graafschap and RKC Waalwijk.-External links:...
, who eventually became first-choice.
On 30 January 2007, SC Heerenveen announced the arrival of van Dijk as their new reserve, behind Brian Vandenbussche
Brian Vandenbussche
Brian Vandenbussche is a Belgian footballer who plays for SC Heerenveen as a goalkeeper. His former team is Sparta Rotterdam.-References:**...
. He stayed at the club for two years, amassing a total of 15 first division games.
On 1 September 2008, 39-year old van Dijk returned to Feyenoord. He was promoted to starter in his second year
2009–10 Eredivisie
-Personnel and sponsoring:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
, following the retirement of another veteran, Henk Timmer
Henk Timmer (footballer)
Hendrik "Henk" Timmer is a retired Dutch footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Club career:For 11 years, Timmer played only in the second division, with FC Zwolle – named PEC in his first year...
.
On 24 October 2010, 41-year old van Dijk was in goal as Feyenoord lost 0–10 at former team PSV, the club's heaviest defeat ever. He retired from football at the end of the season
2010–11 Eredivisie
-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
, having appeared 17 times in the league; on 9 August 2011, however, it was announced that the player had signed a one-year contract with FC Utrecht, as Michel Vorm
Michel Vorm
Michel Vorm is a Dutch football goalkeeper, currently playing for Swansea City. He is also renowned for his remarkable penalty saving abilities, earning him the nickname 'The Penalty Killer'.-FC Den Bosch:...
signed for Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
and Roberto Fernández
Roberto Junior Fernández
Roberto Junior Fernández Torres is a Paraguayan football goalkeeper who plays for Utrecht in the Eredivisie....
was out for three months with an injury.
Club statistics
|-|1992–93||rowspan="4"|Feyenoord||rowspan="4"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|1993–94||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|1994–95||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|1995–96||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|1996–97||rowspan="7"|RKC
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
||rowspan="7"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||33||0||0||0||0||0||33||0
|-
|1997–98||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|1998–99||32||0||0||0||0||0||32||0
|-
|1999–00||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|2000–01||32||0||0||0||0||0||32||0
|-
|2001–02||24||0||0||0||0||0||24||0
|-
|2002–03||23||0||0||0||0||0||23||0
|-
|2003–04||rowspan="1"|PSV||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|2004–05||rowspan="1"|De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||14||0||0||0||0||0||14||0
|-
|2005–06||rowspan="2"|RKC
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
||rowspan="2"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||34||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006–07||19||0||0||0||0||0||19||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|Heerenveen||rowspan="3"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2007–08||15||0||0||0||0||0||15||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008–09||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|rowspan="2"|Feyenoord||rowspan="2"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||6||0||0||0||0||0||6||0
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Eredivisie
-Personnel and sponsoring:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
||23||0||0||0||0||0||23||0
|-
|2010-11||18||0||0||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|2011-12||rowspan"2"|Utrecht||rowspan"2"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||5||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
351||0||0||0||0||0||351||0
351||0||0||0||0||0||351||0
- Statistics accurate as of 18 September 2011.
Honours
- Feyenoord:
- Dutch LeagueEredivisieThe Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
: 1992–93 - Dutch CupKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
: 1993–94, 1994–95
- Dutch League