Written by Maud Vreman | Published on December 1, 2025
At VV Musketiers in Elst, it's been all about togetherness for decades. A club where the atmosphere is friendly and everyone knows everyone else. Board member Jos van der Linden has been a familiar face there since he was nine. After forty years of playing football, he traded his spot on the field for a place on the board. And he still does it with as much dedication as when he himself was kicking the ball.
"We always say that we're a bit of a safety net for society," says Jos. "Everyone is welcome, from young to old. If someone is about to fall by the wayside, they can find a connection with us again."
A village club with great commitment
The atmosphere at VV Musketiers is exactly what you'd expect from a village club: personal, committed, and warm. Volunteers play a major role in this. Although that's becoming increasingly difficult. "Fewer and fewer people want to do something on a structural basis. Sending an email no longer helps. You have to ask people personally," says Jos. "If you ask them face-to-face, you often get a 'yes'. But that takes time. And time is always scarce at a small club."
“Fewer and fewer people want to do something structural. Sending an email no longer helps.”
Looking for a real specialist
When VV Musketiers was looking for new youth goals a few years ago, Jos decided to do his own research. “I knew some parties in the market, but they weren't really specialists in football equipment. I wanted a supplier who manufactures themselves, not a middleman stacking margins. And so, through some online searching, I found SKOR.”
"You notice that you're dealing with a party that knows what they're talking about."
What struck him most was the speed and personal approach. "You send an email and within 24 hours you have a response. That seems obvious, but believe me, it isn't." Jos eventually ordered four youth goals. "That was a really good deal at the time. And the feeling was good. You just notice that you are dealing with a party that knows what they are talking about."
Tangible quality that helps the association forward
What started with new youth goals quickly grew into a broader collaboration. When the club wanted to focus more on the appearance of the sports park and improving the accommodation, they once again approached SKOR. This time for advertising board profiles.
For a small club like the Musketiers, this is a significant investment, so Jos asked for something tangible. "I asked if you could lay down 15 meters of advertising board profile for us to test. Because we have to invest €2,000, and then you need to be able to show the board what it does."
SKOR did that. The profiles were installed, panels were placed in them, and they were used for six weeks. The reactions were positive. “It was a real upgrade to our accommodation. Sleek, tidy, and exactly what you want to show visitors and sponsors.”
Working with SKOR: fast, personal, and honest
What Jos particularly appreciates about working with SKOR is the clear communication and their proactive approach. "I always prepare my orders thoroughly. That helps. But on the other hand, you notice that SKOR also thinks along."
And when something doesn't go as planned, SKOR makes a difference with openness and transparency. "Then communication is crucial. You want to quickly know where you stand. Transparency is everything. That's what builds trust."
The power of a partner who understands how associations work
For Jos, one thing is clear: personal relationships form the basis of long-term collaboration. "That personal contact makes all the difference. That applies just as much to working with a supplier like SKOR."
Where other suppliers often react distantly, he experiences a completely different approach at SKOR. "It doesn't feel impersonally businesslike. They understand that collaboration is about trust, not about forms or quotes. And that just makes it great to work with them."
About VV Musketiers
VV Musketiers is a football club from Elst, with over 300 members and a long history in regional amateur football. The club is known for its committed members, warm club culture, and strong social role in the community.
