Achto Honoured at Testimonial Dinner Event
By Deadly Submarine
March 6 2009
A report from John Achterberg's Testimonial Dinner which took place in the Prentonian Suite at Prenton Park on Thursday evening and featured appearances and tributes to his career from a former player, a current staff member and a star of TV in what was a great evening of entertainment all round.
After it was originally postponed back in the first week of February, the Testimonal Dinner to honour long-serving goalkeeper John Achterberg was a long time in coming but in the end was well worth the wait.
As the fans and staff of Tranmere Rovers filed firstly into Aldo's for the reception, a quick look at the table seating plan saw a list of well known faces who would be attending including BBC Sport's Ray Stubbs and former Tranmere Rovers legend from Wembley 2000, David 'Ned' Kelly.
A Book of Career Memories was passed around for fans to sign their name and leave a comment about John whilst the big man himself was on hand to pose for photos with fans who paid a minimum donation of £1.00. These pictures would later be printed onto special card at which point John would sign them if you so required.
At around 7.30pm all those present filed into the Prentonian Suite for the start of the meal which began with a Dovetail of Melon for starter although Les Parry later questioned the term Dovetail.
Prior to the meal, Ray Stubbs gave a brief introduction before a Standing Ovation as John Achterberg entered the room to take his place alongside his wife Monique. A brief word from former Oldham Athletic player David Eyres followed before we all tucked into our food.
The Prentonian Suite was Packed for the Testimonial Meal
During the meal, we were accompanied by the FA Cup Quarter Final at Millwall being shown on two TV screens (the game in which John made a superb penalty save).
A main course of Chicken in White Wine Sauce (very tasty!) was followed by Profiteroles (without the chocolate sauce on top for one particular Total Tranmere admin member who has given up Chocolate for lent), before Ray Stubbs took to the stage once again to begin a memoribilia auction.
Items auctioned on the night included a Jamaica shirt signed by Ian Goodison and all the other Reggae Boys, a signed Iain Hume Canada Shirt and a goalkeepers shirt worn by John Achterberg in the 2004-05 play off games. All of these items went for over £100.00 by the end of the auction.
There were more items to be auctioned off later in the night but in the mean time it was time for the speakers to take to the stage and the first up was Derek Jones of BBC Radio Merseyside who gave us some intersting/useless information about John's home town of Utrecht.
Following on from Derek Jones was the highlight of the night as Physio Les Parry took the stage for a twenty minute comedy gig/tribute to John which at times was crude but always funny!!
When Les had finished it was time for another ovation as Rovers' Wembley hero David Kelly took to the stage and took part in a question ansd answer session with Ray Stubbs and Les Parry before the floor was opened for fans present to ask 'Ned' uestions of their own which included talking us through THAT goal at Wembley and the celebration that followed.
(L-R): Ray Stubbs, John Achterberg, David Kelly and Les Parry
The rest of the auction items were then sold which included a Manchester United Yellow Goalkeepers Shirt which sold for £250.00 as well as a signed and framed picture of Achto's famous save at Millwall in the FA Cup.
The final item which also went for over £200.00 was a special edition white home shirt which the Rovers players will wear for the testimonial game against Everton which will also be signed on the night by all the players present at the game (thought to number around 50 so far).
Finally, John took to the stage to give a brief speech and some words of thanks to a number of people before the raffle was drawn. After all the Tranmere prizes had been won I won a bottle of Vodka (which I don't even drink).
So a special night came to and end with another standing ovation for Achterberg and a chance to mingle with the guests and have photos taken with them.
A most enjoyable night which was packed out and there was apparently even a waiting list for people wanting any unused tickets - a tribute that is fully deserved for our Flying Dutchman.
We now look forward to John's Testimonial Game itself on Monday 30th March at Prenton Park for which tickets are now on sale.
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Hope you all had a good time there!
p.s. Can i have the vodka please mike
I will keep the Vodka - I will get some Coke or Pepsi or something and use it up!
More pictures on Facebook by the way of last night!