Frans Janssen Explained

Frans Janssen
Caps3:430
Manageryears7:2012–2017
Managerclubs6:VV Germania (assistant)
Manageryears6:2009–2012
Managerclubs5:SVO '68
Manageryears5:2006–2009
Managerclubs4:VV Germania
Manageryears4:2001–2004
Managerclubs3:SC Millingen
Manageryears3:1997–2001
Managerclubs2:Groesbeekse Boys
Manageryears2:1994–1997
Managerclubs1:NEC Nijmegen (assistant)
Manageryears1:1992–1994
Goals3:126
Clubs3:NEC Nijmegen
Caption:Frans Janssen (left), tackling FC Volendam's Frank Kramer (1978)
Years3:1977–1992
Goals2:10
Caps2:27
Clubs2:Willem II
Years2:1976–1977
Goals1:-
Caps1:-
Clubs1:VV Germania
Years1:1973–1976
Youthclubs1:VV Germania
Position:Forward
Birth Place:Groesbeek, Netherlands
Birth Date:3 January 1955
Fullname:Frans Janssen
Managerclubs7:SC Millingen (assistant)

Frans Janssen (born 3 January 1955) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a striker.

Playing career

Janssen started his career at VV Germania in his hometown of Groesbeek, coming through the youth system and playing for the senior side. In 1976 he signed his first professional contract with Willem II, but stayed for only a single season, when he joined NEC Nijmegen.

He played at NEC until 1991, becoming the club's all-time top scorer in the process, with 126 goals in 430 games, and was the club's top scorer on five occasions. He also helped the club to achieve promotion to the Eredivisie in 1985 and 1989. He also played in the 1983 KNVB Cup final against Ajax.[1]

He retired aged 36 in 1991, after NEC's relegation to the Eerste Divisie.[2]

Coaching career

Upon retirement, he became assistant manager at NEC, working firstly under Leen Looijen and later Jan Pruijn, leaving this role in 1994. He then managed a series of lower-league sides in the Netherlands, including his first club, VV Germania, whom he led from the Tweede Divisie to the Hoofdklasse.

Personal life

During his football career, he also worked as a roofer and started his own roofing company in 2004. Since 2009, Janssen has suffered with the lung disease COPD, meaning he is required to breathe using oxygen bottles.[3] [4]

He is the father of former TOP Oss and De Treffers player Dennis Janssen.

In September 2021, a crowdfunding campaign was set up to erect statues of Janssen and Sije Visser outside the Goffertstadion.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-12-31. NEC-fans komen in actie voor clubtopscorer Frans Janssen. 2021-11-20. www.gld.nl. nl.
  2. Web site: NEC Archief. 2021-11-20. www.necarchief.nl.
  3. Web site: van den Broek. Danny. NEC-icoon Frans Janssen (65) lijdt aan COPD: 'Een balletje trappen en we kunnen de zuurstoffles vullen'.
  4. Web site: 2009-04-15. Frans Janssen zou zo graag alles weer kunnen. 2021-11-20. www.nec-nijmegen.nl. nl-NL.
  5. Web site: 2021-09-09. NEC-fans zamelen geld in voor standbeeld Sije Visser en Frans Janssen. 2021-11-20. www.gld.nl. nl.