'Swat' Van der Elst deceased

WEDNESDAY, 11 JANUARY 2017, 14:58 - D.A.B.
Anderlecht-Online No Image Found

OTHER François 'Swat' Van der Elst has died tonight. The former Belgian international and Anderlecht icon suffered a heavy heart attack on New Years' day. Since then, he was in a coma, but he died last night. Van der Elst became an European football star in the 70s. After his career, he owned a snooker bar in Opwijk. 

Van der Elst started his career in Anderlecht at the age of 15. He'd play in Brussels for many years, winning two national titles and four cups. In 1976 and 1978, he also won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Anderlecht. He scored twice in the final of 1976. Also in 1977, Anderlecht played a European final but this one was lost against Hamburg SV. In that year, he also became the best striker in the Belgian league. With 20 goals in 43 European games, he was the one and only 'Mister Europe'.


Continue reading below the article

Continue reading
Aged 25, he left Anderlecht for New York Cosmos where he played with super stars such as Johan Neeskens and Franz Beckenbauer. One year later, he left for West Ham in England. Two years later, in 1983, he returned to Belgium to play for Lokeren. His career ended in 1985 with a fracture on his leg. Van der Elst played 44 games for the Belgian national team and was one of the best strikers of his generation. 

After his career, he owned a snooker bar in Opwijk. Van der Elst already underwent a check-up for heart problems last year. On New Years' day he collapsed and was resuscitated by the medical emergency team. 11 days later, he eventually died from the sustained heart damage. Van der Elst was the 'Eden Hazard' of his time. With his decease, the club loses one of its iconic players...