Hi - I'm Eamonn Sullivan and I've just launched a new site offering lots of up to the minute news on dutch soccer and footballers at http://www.dutchsoccernews.com. I've been writing/translating for the last two and a half years for FootballNL.com but have now branched out on my own. I'll be doing my best to keep those people on the net who are interested in accessing english language info on what's happening in Holland and with its players/coaches elsewhere in the world. Pay the site a visit and you will not be disappointed! Thanks - Eamonn
Seems pretty good. Seeing as you can translate the news, this site is pretty much the only one you need for Dutch football news: http://www.viplanet.nl/ It could probably look better with different colors and the use of pictures, but that's not really important in the end. I already got the Dutch site so this isn't really for me, but I'm sure those damn foreigners who don't live in Holland might find it usefull. p.s. when you press on the Jong Oranje story link, you go to the AGOVV trainer story and vice versa
I was wondering if any of you guys know much about the Dutch second division, and how the standard is? Is it on par with other second divisions in Europe like the English First Division, or French Second?
Last March I attended an English First Division match (Wimbledon v. Barnsley (I think)) and a Dutch Eerste (first) Divisie match (Cambuur v. GA Eagles). I don't recall thinking there was any difference in skill level. Obviously, this was only one match each and I am in no way a scout.
Your average English 2nd division team probably has a bigger budget than your average Dutch 1st division team, so..... p.s. the top league = 1st division for me; the one under that: 2nd division etc. etc. Just so you know which ones I'm talking about.
I have heard there is a big drop off from the three best clubs in Holland compared to the rest of the country. I also heard that the second division is not highly compensated, and that it probably compares to the 5th division in Germany for level of play. Does anyone have any information on to whether you think this is accurate. Thanks in advance.
Money isn't too bad, but the level of play is pretty good. Germany has a very good 2nd division, as does England - but the Dutch could hold their own. Its certainly higher than the 5th division.
So probably pretty comparable to the German Regionalliga and the top A-league or lower MLS clubs. And does anyone have any concrete figures on the average salaries? Also does most people speak good English in Holland, even in the non-touristy villages? Thanks guys
Dutch 2nd division is comparable to German 2nd Bundesliga, Serie B, etc. Regionalliga is probably better than all A-league clubs. MLS ...getting better all the time. Lots of English spoken. Are you considering going over to play? If you are good enough, I know people, who know people. Salaries - better than MLS.
Well if you are for real about knowing people that know people then let me know. I have played in one of the leagues that have been mentioned in this post so let me know.