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: ten-year-old Joshua Taanman.
Rare
Joshua has a rare, benign tumor in his body that is from his chest to his groin. Despite being benign, he tires easily. The tumor weaves around the organs, so surgical removal is not an option. The fatigue results in Joshua having to make choices between workouts and parties. Even school is limited. To put her son in the spotlight, mother Marieke decided to contact FC Robinstijn.
Complete surprise
September 23, 2018 was the big day. The moment Joshua was picked up, he didn't know anything about it. "We tried to keep it a secret for as long as possible," says Marieke. It worked! Joshua couldn't believe his ears, and was completely amazed when he saw a video message from Jorrit Hendrix, asking him if he would go with him to PSV - Ajax. The fact that, as a PSV supporter at heart, he saw his club win 3-0 over Ajax made it even more special, of course.
Brenet
One real wish Joshua had beforehand: to walk onto the pitch with his great hero Joshua Brenet. Unfortunately, the defender had just left PSV, so that dream fell apart. Or not quite? "After the match we were in the players' home, where Joshua could have his picture taken with the players. To top it off, Brenet came in," Marieke recalls. So the wish of the then eight-year-old Joshua came true after all, as he met his idol. And walking onto the field with Hendrix was also hugely special to Joshua. "He enjoyed the attention immensely, although he also found it exciting. They are his idols after all, the ones he gets to meet," Marieke says proudly.
Afterglow
Two years after the fact, the FAN of the Match day is still regularly looked back on in the Taanman home with great pleasure. Marieke made a collage, which stands in Joshua's room. In addition, the PSV shirt, with Bergwijn on the back, hangs proudly in his bedroom. "The day was a fantastic experience. Joshua's sister was also involved in everything. For her it was also a very nice day." Marieke says she would like to thank PSV and FC Robinstijn for the wonderful initiative. "My compliments," she concludes.
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.