Name Jan Bens Place of death Netherlands Role Football player | 1933–1938 Feyenoord Died May 12, 2012, Netherlands Years Team | |
Date of birth (1921-04-15)15 April 1921 Date of death 12 May 2012(2012-05-12) (aged 91) | ||
Place of birth Rotterdam, Netherlands | ||
Jan Bens (15 April 1921 – 12 May 2012) was a Dutch professional association football player and coach; he was also an amateur boxer and trainer.
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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. 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. He scored 25 goals in 76 first team games for Feyenoord. In 2007, he was the last surviving Feyenoord player from before World War II.
He left Feyenoord for EBOH in 1947.
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.
Boxing career
Bens had a career as an amateur boxer, alongside his football career. He also trained professional boxer Lolle van Houten.
Later life and death
Bens died on 12 May 2012, at the age of 91.