Hans Vonk (soccer) explained

Hans Vonk
Fullname:Johannes Adrianus Vonk
Height:1.96 m[1]
Birth Date:1970 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Alberton, South Africa
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthclubs1:VV Woudrichem[2]
Youthclubs2:GVV Unitas[3]
Years1:1988–1991
Caps1:25
Goals1:0
Years2:1991–1992
Caps2:33
Goals2:0
Years3:1992–1993
Caps3:34
Goals3:0
Years4:1993–1996
Caps4:80
Goals4:0
Years5:1996–2004
Caps5:263
Goals5:0
Years6:2004–2006
Caps6:26
Goals6:0
Years7:2006–2008
Caps7:51
Goals7:0
Years8:2008–2009
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2009
Caps9:4
Goals9:0
Years10:2009–2011
Caps10:59
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:575
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:1989
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U20[4]
Nationalyears2:1997–2005
Nationalteam2:South Africa
Nationalcaps2:43
Nationalgoals2:0

Johannes Adrianus "Hans" Vonk (in Afrikaans pronounced as /ˈɦans ˈfɔŋk/; born 30 January 1970) is a South African retired professional soccer player who last played for Ajax Cape Town FC.

Career

Netherlands

Vonk began his professional career at RKC Waalwijk where he made 25 appearances in three seasons. He became first-choice goal keeper for FC Wageningen, but was forced to leave after just one season, when the club went bankrupt and ceased to exist. Vonk returned to North Brabant where he played for FC Den Bosch, before joining his first club RKC, this time as their first keeper. His breakthrough came with his transfer to sc Heerenveen, a club on the rise. They reached a domestic cup final in 1996–97 and finished second in the league in 1999–2000, resulting in UEFA Champions League football the next season. After eight years, Vonk was approaching the autumn of his career. He left Heerenveen to become third-choice goalkeeper for Ajax behind Maarten Stekelenburg and Bogdan Lobonț. In a surprising turn of events, Vonk managed to play 26 games in two seasons.

First stint at South Africa

After 18 years of professional playing Vonk left the Netherlands to return to his country of birth, and played 2 seasons for Ajax' satellite club, Ajax Cape Town. He was terminated from his contract after a conflict with the coach of Ajax Cape Town, which made him a free agent.

Return to Netherlands

Ajax signed him due to injury problems with their current goalkeepers Maarten Stekelenburg and Dennis Gentenaar, leaving the Amsterdam club with only one professional goalkeeper left: Kenneth Vermeer. In the winter transfer window of 2008–09, with the regular Ajax keepers back in shape, he once again moved to an old club, Heerenveen to become second-choice goalkeeper behind Brian Vandenbussche. He soon took over Vandenbussche's spot and played several league games, and another cup final, which Heerenveen won.

Second spell at Ajax Cape Town

Continuing his tour amongst clubs he'd already played for, Vonk once again moved, this time back to his homeland South Africa, to play for Ajax Cape Town, citing family reasons, as well as sensing an opportunity to make the Bafana Bafana World Cup 2010 squad.

International

Vonk played once for the Netherlands national under-20 football team[5] in a 3–1 win against Denmark. He played the second half coming on as a substitute for John Karelse.[6]

Vonk made his debut for the South African national team in May 1998 and was first choice goalkeeper for the 1998 FIFA World Cup[7] as well as an unused substitute for Andre Arendse at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Vonk announced his retirement for Bafana Bafana in 2005 after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, after earning a total of 43 caps.[8]

Honours

Club

Ajax

2005–06

Ajax Cape Town

2008

2007

2007, 2008

Heerenveen

2008–09

International

South Africa

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hans Vonk . voetbal.com . 13 April 2017 . 16 May 2021 . nl.
  2. Web site: HANS VONK . World Soccer . 2 September 2003.
  3. Web site: Op 63 jarige leeftijd is oud Unitas trainer Pim Verbeek overleden. . Unitas . nl . 28 November 2019.
  4. Book: Auf der Heyde, Peter. Has anybody got a whistle? : a football reporter in Africa. 2002. Parrs Wood. Manchester. 1903158311. 179.
  5. Web site: OnsOranje.
  6. Web site: Nederlands Olympisch elftal - Denemarken.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016162428/http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/teams/team=43883.html 1998 FIFA World Cup – South Africa Squad
  8. News: Bafana goalkeeper Vonk to retire. 2 November 2005.