My nicest memories are of our title games

TOM PIETERMAAT, BEERSCHOT'S "OLD MAN"

Eighth season at Beerschot for Tom Pietermaat, who joined the club as a 20 year old midfielder from Racing Mechelen at the start of the 2014-15 campaign and hasn't looked back ever since. He was influential in Beerschot's rise from Division 4 to Division 1A, and pocketed four titles, three period championships and loads of good memories on the way. Seraing v Beerschot last Saturday was his 150th official game for Beerschot. The little boy has become an "old man" now. And those 150 matches could (or should) have been easily been more than 200...

"That's true", he says. "Two serious injuries messed up almost as many seasons. When I signed for Beerschot I was working hard to get fit after a knee operation and in Division 1B there was that annoying ankle injury that didn't want to heal at first and seemed to go on forever. Two mental blows they were. But I bounced back in the end and enjoyed every minute of Beerschot's success story to the top of Belgian football. It was a dream actually. I never thought I would be going all the way with this club and was constantly asking myself if I would make the next grade. It worked out. I am ever so satisfied and happy about it. I've become a Beerschotter from day one really. Everyone at the club treated me with respect and gave me the confidence to perform well. I even got a new contract when I was out injured an my career was in doubt. It is a beautiful story. The brilliant interaction I have with our fans is another bonus."
 

Let's focus on this season now. Last Saturday you beat Seraing 3-0 for our first league win of this campaign. It looks as if our new coach Javier Torrente's impact is beginning to show.

"Yes indeed. The boss deserves a lot of credit for that. His vision on football is clear, he has a positive attitude and gives us lots of confidence. His approach is catching on in the squad. His evaluations are honest. He focuses on the good things first before criticising our mistakes. This creates a good atmosphere in the dressing room which is always a solid base to get better and work harder."

On Saturday Beerschot travel to Kortrijk. Remember last season's corresponding fixture?

"That incredible game that ended in 5-5? What a match that was. Ten goals, an unbelievable score sequence and that late equaliser from Kortrijk four minutes into injury time when our offside trap failed. I am sure we learned our lesson there." 

So no more offside trap experiences?

"I don't think so. It all happened spontaneously in that period when everything went right. We scored loads of goals and were punished at the back. Great football to watch. What I expect from Saturday's game? It's gonna be tough. KV Kortrijk are a good footballing team and difficult to dismantle at the back. However we are full of confidence after our win against Seraing and count on our fans. The way the have supported us this season in phenomenal. Even when we kept losing game after game our supporters stayed right behind the team. They are a credit to our club. And uniqe in Belgium."
 

By the way, how are you getting on with Lawrence Shankland. Does he know you are a big Celtic fan?

"Oh yes and he has let me know a couple of times already. He supports that club in blue from Glasgow and that has lead to a lot of banter and heavy discussions. All in good spirits of course. Despite his Rangers handicap he is a nice bloke. A good striker as well. He needed some time to adapt to the Belgian way of football and it looks like he's won his place in our starting eleven. I love his style: hard working, straightforward and tireless. I am sure he'll score plenty of goals for us the next couple of weeks and months." 

One final question. Have you already adapted to fatherhood in the Pietermaat household?

"Becoming a father was such a nice experience. It keeps us busy but I enjoy every minute of it. Well, almost every minute as it is about time that Emilia, who is three months and one week old now, should sleep through the night. Luckily my wife Carmen is a brilliant mum who gets up in the middle of the night to look after our daughter, so that I get my much needed rest to perform on the training ground and during matches. Mind you, I do my fair bit of work in education and care too. It's well balanced really and gives our famlily life an extra dimension."

By Danny Geerts