François Van der Elst

Belgian footballer (1954–2017)

François "Swat" Van der Elst (1 December 1954 – 11 January 2017) was a Belgian footballer. He played as a right winger. He played from 1971 to 1986. He played for Anderlecht, New York Cosmos, West Ham United and Lokeren. He was born in Opwijk, Flemish Brabant.

François Van der Elst
Van der Elst in 1977
Personal information
Date of birth (1954-12-01)1 December 1954
Place of birth Opwijk, Belgium
Date of death 11 January 2017(2017-01-11) (aged 62)
Place of death Aalst, Belgium
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1965–1969 VCE Mazenzele
1969–1971 Anderlecht
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1980 Anderlecht 243 (82)
1980–1981 New York Cosmos 43 (12)
1981–1983 West Ham United 62 (14)
1983–1986 Lokeren 57 (12)
Total 405 (120)
National team
1973–1983 Belgium 44 (14)
Honours
Representing  Belgium
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 1980
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

On 1 January 2017, Van der Elst was put in an induced coma because of heart failure. He died from cardiac arrest on 11 January 2017 in Aalst, East Flanders. He was 62.[1]

References

change
  1. "Former West Ham and Anderlecht winger François Van der Elst dies aged 62". Essex Live. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.