NETHERLANDS: vv Wilhelmina (Axel) (1920-1923) / vv Axel (1923-2013)

Sportpark Axelse Bos, Axel (formerly vv Wilhelmina (Axel) & vv Axel)

Netherlands, province: Zealand

15 I 2011 / vv Axel - VCK 0-5 / District South I, Regional Cup

Note 1: Sunday League club vv Axel saw the daylight in 1911 as DJS (De Jonge Sportvrienden); two name changed followed, with DJS becoming vv Wilhelmina (1913) and, finally, urged by the Netherlands' Football Association due to this name being in use by several other clubs in the country as well, Voetbalvereniging (vv) Axel in 1923. In 1920, vv Wilhelmina had already moved to Sportpark Axelse Bos. In 2013, vv Axel concluded a merger with their village rivals AZVV, who played their football on Saturdays. The newly formed club, FC Axel, continued life at AZVV's ground, whilst vv Axel's premises in the woods just outside of the town of Axel were abandoned after 93 years. In subsequent years, the Elascon stand (dating back to the 1960s), the terracing on the opposite side, as well as all the fencing around the ground were removed. Only the clubhouse has been left untouched and now serves as the rehearsal room for the local carnival band.

Note 2: Below, a compilation of photos of three different visits: pictures 1-2 & 6-16 = match visit, January 2011 / pictures 3-5 = non-matchday visit, April 2012 / pictures 17-18 = non-matchday (ruin) visit, May 2022.

All photos: (c) W.B. Tukker / www.extremefootballtourism.blogspot.com. Publication of any of these images only after permission of author