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Zirkzee's sudden emergence on the international stage was the reward for a journey which started in 2007 back at local club VV Hekelingen in Spijkenisse, before a stint at Spartaan '20 got him in at the books of professional side ADO den Haag.

Cherian went on to marry a fellow freedom fighter and party worker, VV Varkey Mannamplackal.

"Hell no. Why would you post this?" asked kenny_vv.

Given its population is only around 2,600, Menaam lacks a women’s side and, without her newly minted dispensation, Fokkema would have been forced to decide between appearing for VV Foarut’s reserves – adult women are not banned from amateur B teams in the Netherlands – or, possibly, give up football.

“It’s fantastic I can keep on playing in this team, I’ve played with these lads since I was five,” says the forward from VV Foarut, in the Frisian village of Menaam.