As part of the club’s ongoing relationship with Forth Valley College, Digital Media Student, Ellis Wilson, is writing a new series “The Played at The Falkirk Stadium” for the Club website.
In the first edition of our new series we look at one of the most easily identifiable players of modern times, Edgar Davids.
Similar to the flourishing numbers of budding Netherland stars to be, Davids started his career at the four-time European champions Ajax of Amsterdam. Davids, a further example of Ajax’s distinct trust in youth, and the interchangeable association of inexperienced class within their ranks, the Dutch Surinamese born midfielder became greatly idolised within Van Gaal’s domestic and European superciliousness silverware winning squads throughout a prolonged period of prowess, power, and success.
Dubbed ‘The Pitbull’ thanks to his marking ability, aggression and hard-hitting tackling dexterity Davids collective honours were profound throughout a cumulative career of clubs and honours, most noticeably receiving the winners medal on three occasions for the European Cup. Inverse roles were present, as Davids missed a spot kick at the 96 European Cup which ultimately cast the end of his first spell at Ajax.
Edgars European tour entailed on an oscillate journey between Italy, Holland, Spain, and England playing for footballs most distinguished clubs such as Juventus, AC/Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Tottenham, before largely unsuccessful spells at Crystal Palace and the formidable Barnet FC.
Davids returned to Ajax in 2007 after an admirable career throughout Europe forging allegiances with some of world football’s most illustrious names such as Zinedine Zidane and David Trezeguet. Luckily for Davids, he was about to grace the hallowed turf of the Falkirk Stadium.
A scorching air of anticipation was building for a true glamour friendly for the club, Falkirk v Ajax of Amsterdam. For fans of football not just Falkirk, the event was a true service to the ardour and devotion of football fans to witness first-hand one of Europe’s finest outfits on the doorstep of Falkirk. A horde of fans pilled outside the entrance of the Falkirk Stadium to see world class players descend onto the stadium, including Davids.
The obvious talent in the Ajax squad was present with player such as Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Their magnetic one touch play was a basic factor of play within a European giant such as Ajax. However, Falkirk’s energetic attacking play countered that of Ajax’s clever interplay with Moutinho’s effort grazing the woodwork from a burst of pace from a throw in. Falkirk had the breakthrough when the swivelling and pivoting Graham Barrett lofted a perfect ball to the incoming Liam Craig who headed the ball with precision into the bottom corner.
Falkirk’s resilience was eventually broken down on the 84th minute when Laurent Delorge finessed the ball into the back of the net. However, a mere four minutes later Chris Mitchell’s looping deflected effort ends in the back of the net securing the winner for The Bairns.
The jubilation of The Bairns was earned as beating Ajax, a club littered with world class talent, is a feat worth celebrating, even if it was only a friendly.
