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
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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 .