Ger Senden

Summary

Gerardus Christianus (Ger) Senden (born 9 July 1971) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played his entire career for Roda JC.

Ger Senden
Personal information
Full name Gerardus Christianus Senden
Date of birth (1971-07-09) 9 July 1971 (age 52)
Place of birth Heerlen, Netherlands
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
VV Chevremont
Roda JC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–2008 Roda JC 411 (9)
Managerial career
2019 Germania Teveren
2020–2022 LHC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career edit

Senden held the record for the longest-running tenure at Roda JC since the club's inception, playing first-team football for the club between 1989 and 2008. Born in Heerlen, he began playing football in the youth ranks of VV Chevremont before moving to Roda JC.[1] His unwavering commitment earned him the nickname Mister Roda JC and endeared him to fans of the South Limburg club.[2]

He made his professional debut for the club on 12 August 1989 in a 1–1 league draw against Twente, replacing Alfons Groenendijk in the 90th minute.[3]

During the mid-1990s, Senden was part of one of Roda JC's most successful teams. In 1995, under the guidance of head coach Huub Stevens, the team achieved an impressive second-place finish in the Eredivisie. Alongside standout players like Raymond Atteveld, Barry van Galen, Tijjani Babangida, Johan de Kock, and Tomek Iwan, they posed a significant challenge to Ajax, the eventual title winners.[4][5]

Before the 2007–08 season, Senden's tenure at Roda JC surpassed that of all but two other players combined: Gène Hanssen and Eric van der Luer. Upon announcing his retirement on 26 March 2008, Senden was honoured during his final home match against VVV-Venlo.[6] In the 89th minute, he was substituted and received a spontaneous farewell from the crowd, followed by a celebratory lap carried on the shoulders of teammate Pa-Modou Kah. As Roda reached the playoffs, he would make one last competitive appearance against NEC: after coming on as a substitute for Kah, he was sent off in the 55th minute.[4][7] A testimonial match featuring former teammates concluded his career.

With Roda JC, Senden won the KNVB Cup twice: in 1997 and 2000, scoring in the 1997 KNVB Cup final.[8]

Coaching career edit

Even during his active playing days, Senden assumed the role of team manager at Roda JC from October 2007. However, organisational changes led to his departure in 2018, followed by legal proceedings resulting in his official exit from the club in March 2019.[9]

He briefly served as head coach of German amateur club Germania Teveren in the 2019–20 season before resigning in September 2019.[10] Between 2020 and 2022 he managed Tweede Klasse club LHC from Eygelshoven, before being forced to resign due to ongoing bacterial infections.[11][12]

Honours edit

Roda JC

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Reijnaerts, Ton (10 February 2021). "Mister Roda JC Ger Senden ook komend seizoen trainer bij tweedeklasser LHC". De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. ^ "'Mister Roda JC' vindt het mooi geweest". Trouw (in Dutch). 26 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  3. ^ "FC Twente - Roda JC Kerkrade 1:1 (Eredivisie 1989/1990, 1. Round)". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b Morten, Boa (16 November 2012). "Ger Senden (1971)". Kent u deze Nog (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Toen Roda JC werd beloond met een luid applaus van de Ajax-fans". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Senden stopt bij Roda JC". NU.nl (in Dutch). 26 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Senden vecht straf desnoods aan tot na zijn loopbaan". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b "1997: Roda JC wint bekerfinale na doelpuntenfestival". TOTO KNVB Beker (in Dutch). 8 March 2018. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  9. ^ Linssen, Riël (1 October 2018). "Ger Senden: 'Besefte thuis pas wat ontslag inhield'". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Ger Senden opgestapt als trainer van Germania Teveren". De Limburger (in Dutch). 18 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Ger Senden hoofdtrainer LHC". ParkstadActueel (in Dutch). 3 April 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  12. ^ Wingen, Willy (3 February 2022). "Ger Senden stopt definitief als hoofdtrainer LHC". De Limburger (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  13. ^ "2000: De Cup is voor defensief ijzersterk Roda". TOTO KNVB Beker (in Dutch). 9 March 2018. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.