The PSV Foundation, in cooperation with FC Robinstijn, has named a FAN of the Match every PSV home game since 1998. Due to the corona virus, this is not possible during the first half of the 2020-2021 season. A great opportunity to look back with a FAN of the Match from the past. This week: nine-year-old Thijm Bankers.
Rising
From birth, Thyme has cystic fibrosis. It is an incurable, progressive disease. Father Mark says the disease is currently doing extremely well. "Thijm's life expectancy was between 30 and 40, but because of drug development it is going up," he says. Although the disease is well monitored, he has to go to the hospital every three months for tests. FC Robinstijn gave the family a chance to put Thijm in the spotlight.
'The attention was very special'
PSV - NAC Breda, on March 9, 2019, was the day for Thijm. "For us parents, it's very special to see your child enjoy himself so much," are Mark's words. Young Thijm has been visiting the Philips Stadium regularly since the age of one, but this day was different. "It was everything together. There's not one moment that stands out. It was a complete experience. For Thijm, his dream came true." After the game, he received an autographed shirt and a PSV flag with all the signatures from Denzel Dumfries. Sister Sofie, who was also at the stadium this day, became a storage PSV supporter.
Health first
Sports are very important to Thyme. Mark says sports make a positive contribution to his health. At school he gets along well and he is also at football. "He will never play for PSV," Mark says with a wink, "but it is very nice to see him develop in this way."
Framed flag
Thijm has not forgotten the FAN of the Match day. The framed flag he received has won a nice spot in his room. He invariably wears the autographed shirt to football practice. "It was a great day where we could forget everything for a while," he said. Mark thinks the value a day like this can have is enormous. "We want to thank PSV for this particularly beautiful day."
There is still a remote FAN of the Match. One of PSV'ers takes a specially made robot onto the field every home game when the team walks onto the field.