Kuipers: A former dutch marine and a legend

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Now then ladies and gents. Does the signing of, and emergence as first choice keeper, of Ben roberts signal the end for the kuipers? Over the last few seasons Kuipers has improved beyond recognition was instrumental in the rise from the third to the first division. how many times over those seasons did he produce saves that seemed impossible, saves that kept us in games or won them? Now he's had a taste of first team football and knows what he's capable of, he won't want to be a second choice goalkeeper. So, if roberts stays as first choice will we be seeing kuipers leaving the club?

Don't get me wrong, Roberts is an excellent keeper and will be a benefit to the club. I have no problem with that. My only problem is that, to my mind at least, Kuipers is a legend and the arrival of roberts could be the end of kuipers as a 'living' Albion legend. whats more, it seems to be happening with little comment from the albion faithful.

There seems to be all sorts of fan clubs and (ironic)cliques. What I am asking is that if you appreciate all that kuipers has done, and may well do in the future, for us, then join the fdm's fan club. there's no fancy benefits or priviledges, no secret handshakes or call signs, just respect for the role he played in giving us two titles in two years.

heres to michel Kuipers, a former dutch marine and a legend.

 

[desprateseagull]

i'll drink to that.

 

[perth seagull]

I've been thinking about this as well. Let's hope it doesn't come to that and Kuipers stays.

 

[alan partridge]

too right!

kuipers would have saved that

 

[DTES]

Kuipers should be number 1 definately. After a long-term injury I saw him at Yeovil. He was absolutely superb, back to his best no worries. Some awesome saves.

 

[Vankleek Hill Seagull]

I think he'll stay, as the competition from Roberts will make him improve his game to a higher level.

He only had Packham and Beasant to contend with, which IMHO didn't make him improve his game to the best of his ability.

 

[Raphael Meade]

kuipers MUST stay, as already said, he's an absolute legend and a bloody superb goal keeper to boot

 

[Hilton]

Legend, no doubt about it. Should be number 1 as long as he's at full fitness.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Hope he stays also, he's given this club a great service. But Ben Roberts is far too good to drop 2 divisions to still be back up.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Dont get me wrong, i'm not knocking Roberts or even saying that Kuipers should be first choice, just that he deserves all of our respect for what he has done and, hopefully, what he will do.

So come on people, join the former dutch marine's fan club.

 

[bigc]

joined
I was suprised he didnt have one already! it was me and desert orchid that kicked off the whole fan club thing(he created the JR fanclub and I asked if I could join, then i created Robbie Pethick's and its just gone from there)

there's only one Michel Kuipers

 

[Exiled in Exeter]

I would hope they both get a chance as it would be good to see the former Dutch Marine get his fair share of games too.

I certainly hope Kuipers does stay.

 

[aftershavedave]

is he back to full fitness though? i thought he couldn't kick properly.....so while he's not 100% there's no question of who's the number 1, and that's probably whjy there's been no discussion. but your point is well made, he's a legend!

 

[Yorkie]

FDM was given just as much a welcome today as any player.

He is still having problems with his kicking and Roberts being in the team takes the pressure off.

He'll get his chance this season as Roberts has also had injury problems in the past as told to me by a Boro fan.

We are so lucky to have 2 class keepers and we will use both of them believe you me.

 

[Tooting Gull]

Just a thought, but maybe Kuipers should stop smoking. I like the bloke, he's made some fantastic saves for us, and I'm a smoker myself so have some sympathy - but I don't think he ever regained the same level of fitness and athleticism after last season's injury. He's a professional sportsman and athlete, gets paid a lot of dosh, fans pay a lot of money to see people playing at their peak, and surely that's one of the prices you have to pay as a footballer. I know for a fact he's been seen tabbing it in recent weeks.

 

[DTES]

Hopefully Kuipers will play on Tuesday in the cup. Bristol Rovers aren't so bad that we'll play the reserves, but Kuipers is far from a reserve. I'd like to see him and Roberts both get some games.

 

[Trigger]

He's my fave current Albion player and i've no doubt that if he gets back to full fitness and regains the form of the last 3 seasons he'll earn the starting spot anyway.

It will be a very sad day for the club if he ever leaves.

 

[fatboy]

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Out of curiousity, how many people have i convinced to sign up to the FDM fanclub?

 

[Yorkie]

You didn't persuade me as I have had that signature for a couple of weeks now.

I feel the same as you. He is a quality keeper.