| Sjel de Bruyckere | |
| Fullname: | Michaël Christinus de Bruyckere |
| Birth Date: | 6 February 1928 |
| Birth Place: | Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands |
| Death Date: | 20 September 2011 (aged 83) |
| Position: | Forward |
| Years1: | 1950–1956 |
| Clubs1: | Willem II |
| Caps1: | 167 |
| Goals1: | 80 |
| Years2: | 1956–? |
| Clubs2: | Wilhelmina |
| Clubs3: | Melbourne Hungaria |
| Nationalyears1: | 1954–1956 |
| Nationalteam1: | Netherlands |
| Nationalcaps1: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 2 |
| Managerclubs1: | Wilhelmina |
| Managerclubs2: | Ringwood United |
| Managerclubs3: | Lions |
| Managerclubs4: | Polonia |
| Managerclubs5: | George Cross |
| Managerclubs6: | Preston Makedonia |
Michaël "Sjel" de Bruyckere (6 February 1928 – 20 September 2011) was a Dutch footballer who played as a forward for Willem II and the Netherlands national team before emigrating to Australia. Known in Australia as Mike de Bruyckere, he played for Wilhemina and played two unofficial matches for the Australia national soccer team.
In 1950, de Bruyckere joined Willem II, where he played in the team's 1952 and 1955 national championship teams. After Willem II rejected a transfer to Lugano in 1956, de Bruyckere left for Australia, signing for Wilhelmina, a team founded by Dutch immigrants to Australia. Later in 1956, the Royal Dutch Football Association wrote to the Australian Soccer Football Association, requesting that a transfer fee be paid to Willem II.[1] [2] [3] [4]
De Bruyckere made his debut for the Netherlands national football team against Belgium in October 1954. He played his seventh and last appearance at international level in April 1956, also against Belgium.[5] [6]
In 1957, de Bruyckere played for Australian selections against visiting club teams Eastern AA and Ferencváros.[7]
Willem II
Wilhelmina
1958[3]
Individual
1999[8]