Berthil ter Avest was a left-sided Dutch midfielder and winger who built much of his professional career at FC Twente during the 1990s, becoming a fan favorite for his work rate, consistency, and versatility. Though never a superstar in terms of media attention, he was an important cog in the Twente machine, known for his reliable presence along the left flank and his contribution both offensively and defensively. Ter Avest played with energy and intelligence, offering width, accurate crossing, and a good understanding of space—traits that made him effective as both a wide midfielder and an attacking winger.

He began his career at Twente in 1989 and, after spells with Roda JC and Groningen, returned in 1994 to enjoy his most productive years. Between 1994 and 2000, he became a regular starter, valued for his ability to connect play, deliver from wide areas, and track back with discipline. While not a flashy dribbler, Ter Avest was tactically astute and often made the right decision under pressure. His style of play drew comparisons to players like Rob Witschge — technical and hard-working, if less glamorous than his contemporaries.

Although he never featured prominently for the senior Dutch national team, Ter Avest represented the Netherlands at youth levels and was on the fringes of the squad during the mid-1990s. He was considered a dependable backup in an era with strong competition on the left side of midfield, with players like Arthur Numan and Boudewijn Zenden ahead in the pecking order. Despite this, he remained a respected professional in Eredivisie circles and was regarded as one of Twente’s most consistent performers of the decade.

Berthil Ter Avest was a hard-working left winger/midfielder with a good read and venomous crosses. He wasn't a flashy dribbler, but he protected the ball well and accelerated diagonally. He played intelligently, always looking for the final pass or a dangerous switch. He had excellent stamina and could drop back to rebuild the midfield, making him useful even in more defensive formations.

Other Links:
Berthil ter Avest | Wikipedia English
Berthil ter Averst | FC Twente Statistieken | Dutch
Berthil ter Avest (1970) | Kentudezenog.nl | Dutch

Videos:
NAC 4 - 1 FC Twente (April 14th, 1996) | Ter Avest is n° 5
THROWBACK | FC Twente 4 - 1 Fortuna Sittard (19-08-1997) | Ter Avest is n° 11
THROWBACK | FC Utrecht 0 - 2 FC Twente (27-09-1998) | Ter Avest is n° 11
THROWBACK | Fortuna Sittard 0 - 3 FC Twente (30-10-1998) | Ter Avest is n° 11
THROWBACK | PSV 2 - 2 FC Twente (24-10-1999) | Ter Avest is n° 11
(1999-12-18) FC Twente 2 - 1 Roda JC | Ter Avest is n° 11
THROWBACK | Ajax - FC Twente (19-03-2000) | Ter Avest is n° 11
FC Twente 4 - 2 FC Utrecht (26-03-2000) | Highlights | Ter Avest is n° 11 and scores a free kick