8 Years After First Meeting at the Official Liverpool Supporters Club, They Married
The Reds aren’t just a team for Dirk and Kim; they’re the heartbeat of their love story. What started as a chance meeting at an Official Liverpool Supporters Club (OLSC) event blossomed into a journey from friendship to marriage.
Dirk, originally from Antwerp, and Kim, hailing from Rotterdam, crossed paths in 2017 during a social gathering uniting Dutch and Flemish Liverpool fans. Their shared passion for the club quickly sparked a connection. Kim even chairs the OLSC Netherlands.
“Bruce Grobbelaar walked me down the aisle, and Sammy Lee was one of our best men,” Kim shared. “We’ve gotten close to them over the years, especially at Hotel TIA during match days. Inviting them to be part of our wedding felt natural, and they said yes immediately. It was incredible.”
After their ceremony nearby, the couple made a heartfelt stop at the newly unveiled Virgil van Dijk mural in Liverpool’s L4 district. It wasn’t just a visit. They were invited to add a small personal touch as a wedding gift from Sammy and Bruce.
Dirk recalled, “Sammy and Bruce took us to the mural with the artist, and we got to spray a bit from the escalator. That was a dream come true. It actually went viral that day. People on social media were talking about tens of thousands of interactions, but we were just focused on our wedding. It was unexpected but amazing.”
As they step into married life, Liverpool, the club and the city, remains the core of their shared future.
“It means everything to us,” Dirk said. “The passion, the highs of winning, the lows of losing, it’s all part of the bond we share with fellow fans around the world. We adore the city and its people. Every visit feels like coming home.”
Their love story began at a Reds-themed gig, where Dirk first spotted Kim amid fellow supporters. “It was a party with Robbie Fowler involved,” Dirk smiled. “That was when I first noticed her, and then it was gigs and more gigs. The rest is history.”
Their connection deepened, and in 2023, Kim orchestrated a memorable surprise at the AXA Training Centre. With the help of assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, a close friend, she proposed to Dirk in front of head coach Jürgen Klopp and the entire Liverpool squad.
“We love each other as much as we love Liverpool,” Kim said. “This club has been a passion in both our lives, and now we get to share it together. That’s priceless.”
They tied the knot in late May on Merseyside, just before Liverpool’s final game of the season against Crystal Palace when the club lifted the Premier League trophy in front of their fans.
The wedding reflected their shared love for Liverpool throughout. Former player and coach Sammy Lee stood as best man, Bruce Grobbelaar proudly walked Kim down the aisle, and George Sephton, the legendary Anfield announcer who recently retired after more than five decades, served as DJ for the celebration.
