Jan Bens
Dutch footballer (1921–2012)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jan Bens (15 April 1921 – 12 May 2012) was a Dutch professional football player and coach; he was also an amateur boxer and trainer.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 April 1921 | ||
| Place of birth | Rotterdam, Netherlands | ||
| Date of death | 12 May 2012 (aged 91) | ||
| Place of death | Rotterdam, Netherlands | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1933–1938 | Feyenoord | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1940–1947 | Feyenoord | 76 | (25) |
| 1947–1955[1] | EBOH | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1962–1964 | DFC | ||
| 1964–1966 | Cambuur | ||
| 1968–1970 | Cambuur | ||
| 1970–1972 | SVV | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
Playing career
Born in Rotterdam, Bens joined hometown club Feyenoord at the age of 12 and made his senior debut at the age of 17.[2] In a match against Ajax on 6 December 1942, Bens became the first player ever to be sent off in De Klassieker, after punching Ajax goalkeeper Gerrit Keizer.[2][3] A winger, scored 25 goals in 76 first team games for Feyenoord.[4] In 2007, he was the last surviving Feyenoord player from before World War II.[3]
Managerial career
After retiring as a player, Bens became a manager and coach, working in both the Netherlands and Australia with Go Ahead Eagles, EBOH, DFC, SC Cambuur, Ringwood City Wilhelmina and SVV.[2]
Boxing career
Later life and death
Bens died on 12 May 2012, at the age of 91.[6]
