Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

A Forum in which to remember those KUMB members and other West Ham United family who have sadly left us.

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OFT
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by OFT »

Sweeney Bod wrote:In a modern era in which we have fielded a team with only two English players, it is hard to think back to an era in which Van Der Elst's signing was almost exotic.
Very sad news
RIP
Indeed!

Too young .
RIP Frankie.
:crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by eastsider »

Way to young, no age.... Gutted..... RIP ..... :crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by DaveWHU1964 »

By the time he came to us he'd already reached his career peak at Anderlecht. At that time he was one of the best players in Europe - no doubt. A big money back then £700,000 move to New York Cosmos was followed by a £400,000 move to us. As others have said it could be hard for those who weren't around in the early '80s to understand just how, different, exotic and exciting VD's move to us was at the time. It seems to drag on for weeks over what was avery cold Winter. But then we got him and it was just a huge 'yessssssssss' moment.

Anyway, RIP Francois - a quality player. Desperately sad to see him go so young. :crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by bubbles1966 »

For younger readers, he was able to do all the kind of things people associate with flair players like Lanzini at their best etc.

I have a recollection of standing on the South Bank seeing him score a goal where it felt like he dribbled past an entire team at our place - Notts County when they were in what is now called the Premier League?

No age, really. Condolences to his loved ones.
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by DasNutNock »

Far too young. RIP
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by MayoWHU »

RIP Francois
Was his debut away to Watford in the cup?
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by chappo59 »

Fantastic fantastic player he was wonderful to watch......RIP Francois :crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by PC Hammer »

On behalf of all members of WHUISA thanks for the great memories and times you gave us Francois playing in the claret & blue.

You shall be remembered as an extremely exciting and skillful player who was also a gentleman.

We are all very proud that you played for us.
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by Plashet Grove Pete »

Thanks for the memories Frankie - Rest In Peace
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by Pop Robson »

Saw every game and every goal he scored at Upton Park for us, great times and great memories of him

There was a picture of him up in the Eagle & Child in Shenfield were apparently he head for Sunday lunch
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by Rocket »

RIP
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by Heysel76 »

Pop Robson wrote:Saw every game and every goal he scored at Upton Park for us, great times and great memories of him

There was a picture of him up in the Eagle & Child in Shenfield were apparently he head for Sunday lunch
Watched him score rwice against us for Anderlecht at the ECWC final in 1976, before he joined us later
RIP Francois
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by HHCD »

Frankie Van Der Elst.....Never forget standing on the Chicken Run watching such a great player ripping left backs apart.He was a class act.
A smashing bloke as well who would always sign my mountain of photos/paper cuttings at Chadwell Heath with a smile on his face and a handshake.

A sad loss

R.I.P

:crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by Status Kev »

Very sad news indeed. Broke my 12 year old heart when Anderlecht beat us in the '76 final but was chuffed to bits when we signed him. Great player. RIP Francois.
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by sosc67 »

A true Gentlemen R.I.P :crest:
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by hammer_sandwich »

Had the pleasure of meting him down at Southampton when the great Laurie McAdemy was manager. I think we we had the great John Lyall. Because my dad (who produced I'm forever blowing bubbles) knew kevin Keegan I was introduced into the Southampton dressing room before the match. Kevin Keegan gave me a pair of football boots, brand new. However, I also went into the West Ham dressing room and met Francois. A top top bloke. I'm very sad to hear of his passing. Thank you for the memories Francois. You were probably our best signing. RIP
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by westham,eggyandchips »

Sad news. Sad loss. Never forgotten.

RIP FvdE.
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by paulthebubble »

RIP Francois.

Saw him play many times for the Cosmos. Sadly, a teammate of his from the Cosmos also just passed away, Roberto Cabanas.

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I remember the first goal. It was one of the best goals I've seen. Frankie's involved in the buildup for the second goal. Frankie also mostly played on the wing for the Cosmos.
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by The Old Man of Storr »

You get to a certain time in your life when you find yourself looking back quite a lot thinking ' Was it really better back then ? ' - well , I was lucky enough to be living down south between the years of 1978 and 1987 and going regularly to West Ham , when you could turn up at the gate and see players of Van Der Elst's quality , what we didn't realise though back then was that was as good as it was going to get and we took it all for granted . I remember in particularly wanting to beat Swansea at their place in 81/82 , it was a midweek game as I recall and our little Belgian Maestro scored the only goal of the game - Swansea finished 6th that season three positions above us , here's the team that won that night -

Phil Parkes , Ray Stewart , Alvin Martin , Neil Orr , Frank Lampard , FRANCOIS VAN DER ELST , Paul Allen , Trevor Brooking , Alan Devonshire , David Cross , Paul Goddard .

Were things better back then ?

You bet your bottom dollar they were .

Thank you for the memories , Francois .
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Re: Francois van der Elst R.I.P.

Post by uptonparkhurst »

R.I.P. Francois.

I've just watched the highlights of the ECWC final again. 2 classy goals. What a player!
62 is no age.
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