GLF69: Graham has a chat with Sieb! Sieb! Sieb!
SIEB LOOKS FORWARD TO COMING HOME
In recent weeks I have been working with the Dougie Arnott Testimonial committee and one of the great pleasures was being in communication with Sieb Dijkstra and how he still felt about his time at Motherwell, and how he was desperate to play in front of the Well fans once again.
He told me, "I had indeed a great time at Motherwell and my relationship with the fans was superb.I remember coming over for a trial and my first week on trial at Motherwell Tommy McLean asked my whether I would like to play in a cup game against Raith Rovers due to Billy Thomson's injury.I was a bit shell shocked but of course I said yes.
"In the game itself I came out for the first 2 crosses which I took on the edge of the 18 yard box and the Motherwell fans went mental.Unfortunately we played terrible that game and lost 4-1 although I was quite pleased with my own performance.
"A week after, Billy was still injured and I had to play again in the derby league game against Airdrie.In that game I nearly collected all the crosses that came in the 18 yard box.We won 0-1 and I got a standing ovation from the fans after the game and they were chanting my name.
"I will never forget that moment."
"The Monday after Tommy McLean offered me a 3 year contract.I was over the moon that I got offered that contract after just a week on trial.
"That year I played mainly in the reserves due to good play from Billy Thomson in the first team.
"In my second season Billy got injured (bruised ribs) and was out for 4 weeks. I came in again and played 4 games until Billy was fit again. Then Tommy told me that he was sticking with me because I played really well in those 4 games.
"I have to say that I felt a bit for Billy because he was a big name in Scottish football and beside that also a very nice guy. It turned out to become a very satisfying season for me and was voted player of the year through the Motherwell fans.I couldn't believe what was happening to me."
His best and most memorable season at Motherwell also ended bizarrely as his most disappointing, "My third season at Motherwell was probably the best year, we played some sensational football and there was a great team spirit among us
"I remember the 3rd last game of the season against Dundee United. Rangers lost at Hibernian and we would become level on points if we would win.Ironically United (the team I was going to play for 3 years later) beat us 1-2 and after the game when we heard the final result of the Rangers game, everybody connected to Motherwell were absolutely gutted.
"Everybody knew we missed a great opportunity.
"That was probably my biggest disappointment at Motherwell.Eventually we ended up 3rd place, 4 points adrift of Rangers.That was probably my biggest disappointment at Motherwell."
He moved on not long after that and he took me through the journey he has taken to get back to Fir Park to honour a legend, "The following season I signed for QPR for 3 years (Premier League) it was a very disappointing time for me there.After 3 months the manager Gerry Francis left and signed for Tottenham Hotspur.I only played 12 league games and a couple of cup games and had loan periods at BristolCity and Wycombe Wanderers.
"In December 1996 I signed for Dundee United for 2.5 years where I teamed up again with Tommy McLean. I had also a very good spell there ending up player of the year in my first season there in qualifying for Europe.
"After Dundee United I signed for Dutch outfit RBC Roosendaal (Premier League) for 2 years. In 2001 I signed for German outfit Germania Teveren and played there for 4 seasons. In 2005 I signed for a Dutch local junior club LHC en I'm still playing for them.I also run my own goalkeeper school in the south (Kerkrade)"
More can be found about Dougie Arnott's Testimonial events at www.dougie-arnott.com.
Graham Barnstaple
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