ADO, The NSB club?

During the war years, ADO experienced not only social pressure but also moments of sporting triumph. In both 1942 and 1943, the football club from The Hague won the national championship—a remarkable feat in a dark time.

However, this success was not without tension. A photo of ADO players raising clenched fists during their championship celebration was interpreted by the German occupiers as a "communist salute." The club faced threats of suspension or dissolution. To avoid such consequences, ADO agreed to play a charity match against HBS, sanctioned by the occupiers, in support of Winterhulp. Despite efforts to discourage attendance, the match raised 2800 guilders. The German press portrayed it as “ADO initiates match for Winterhulp,” and the presence of many uniformed NSB members further linked the club to the party.

Internal developments added to this controversial image. The chairman and secretary at the time were NSB sympathizers, and player Gerrit Vreken, pictured in the archival photo, openly supported the party. ADO had little room to resist without risking retribution. Sports journalists like Hugo Borst later explained how the club made concessions under pressure to protect itself and its members.