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Erik Meijer (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Erik Meijer is a retired Dutch
footballer. Standing at 189 cm, he was known as a header specialist. He works currently as Director of Sports by Alemannia Aachen
.
(1987–89), and broke through in the early 1990s at Dutch Eredivisie
club MVV Maastricht
and was transferred to PSV Eindhoven in 1994, where he didn't play much due to competition by team mates Ronaldo, Luc Nilis and Wim Kieft
.
He then moved to German Bundesliga struggler KFC Uerdingen in 1995, where he was one of the few bright spots in a hapless squad, and was picked up by Bayer Leverkusen
. There, he was paired up with Ulf Kirsten and formed one of the most intimidating striker duos of the Bundesliga.
After successful years, Meijer moved to Liverpool FC in 1999, where he failed to make an impression next to Michael Owen
and Robbie Fowler
. He was therefore loaned out to Preston North End for one season. He returned to the Bundesliga and joined Hamburger SV
in December 2000. Meijer became a cult hero at Anfield despite rarely making the first team, and he was christened 'Mad Erik' for his never say die attitude and love for the club. He scored two goals in his time at Anfield, both coming in a League Cup tie against Hull City. He joined Liverpool
fans in Dortmund
prior to the 2001 UEFA Cup
, where he drank and sang with Reds fans. Despite playing a limited number of games for Liverpool, Meijer was voted 99th in the fan-based poll, 100 Players Who Shook The Kop
But it was only after moving to Second Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen
, in 2003, where he finally regained success. In the autumn of his career, his strong play and dressing room presence propelled Aachen into the German Cup finals in 2003-04, losing to Werder Bremen, but earning a ticket into the UEFA Cup
(as Bremen were German champions) and rejuvenating Alemannia financially. He was also named captain for the first time in his career. Meijer also was essential for Aachen's promotion into the Bundesliga after 36 years, in 2005-06.
Meijer ended his career that summer, stating he wanted to finish in style after this last big success.
, who succeeded Dieter Hecking
in September 2006. On 14 December 2009 was named as the new Director of Sport by his former club Alemannia Aachen
and signed an contract between 30 June 2011. He is a patron of the newly formed AFC Liverpool, a club run by the fans of Liverpool FC.
, in 1993.
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
footballer. Standing at 189 cm, he was known as a header specialist. He works currently as Director of Sports by Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen is a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A long term fixture of the country's second division, Alemannia enjoyed a three-year turn in the top flight in the late 1960s and, after a successful 2005–06 campaign, returned to first division play...
.
Career
Meijer started his career at Fortuna SittardFortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard is a football club in Sittard, Netherlands. The club currently plays its football in the 12,500 capacity Trendwork Arena and features in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. The club was a merger of former clubs 'Fortuna 54' and 'Sittardia' to merge as the Fortuna Sittard Combinatie on July 1,...
(1987–89), and broke through in the early 1990s at Dutch Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
club MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Maastricht, founded on April 2, 1902...
and was transferred to PSV Eindhoven in 1994, where he didn't play much due to competition by team mates Ronaldo, Luc Nilis and Wim Kieft
Wim Kieft
Willem "Wim" Cornelis Nicolaas Kieft is a retired Dutch footballer who played as a centre forward.A prolific goalscorer whose main asset resided in his heading ability, he played in his country for two of the most important clubs, Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven, with equal team and individual...
.
He then moved to German Bundesliga struggler KFC Uerdingen in 1995, where he was one of the few bright spots in a hapless squad, and was picked up by Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
. There, he was paired up with Ulf Kirsten and formed one of the most intimidating striker duos of the Bundesliga.
After successful years, Meijer moved to Liverpool FC in 1999, where he failed to make an impression next to Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
and Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
. He was therefore loaned out to Preston North End for one season. He returned to the Bundesliga and joined Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
in December 2000. Meijer became a cult hero at Anfield despite rarely making the first team, and he was christened 'Mad Erik' for his never say die attitude and love for the club. He scored two goals in his time at Anfield, both coming in a League Cup tie against Hull City. He joined Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
fans in Dortmund
Dortmund
Dortmund is a city in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 585,045 makes it the 7th largest city in Germany and the 34th largest in the European Union....
prior to the 2001 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, where he drank and sang with Reds fans. Despite playing a limited number of games for Liverpool, Meijer was voted 99th in the fan-based poll, 100 Players Who Shook The Kop
But it was only after moving to Second Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen is a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A long term fixture of the country's second division, Alemannia enjoyed a three-year turn in the top flight in the late 1960s and, after a successful 2005–06 campaign, returned to first division play...
, in 2003, where he finally regained success. In the autumn of his career, his strong play and dressing room presence propelled Aachen into the German Cup finals in 2003-04, losing to Werder Bremen, but earning a ticket into the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
(as Bremen were German champions) and rejuvenating Alemannia financially. He was also named captain for the first time in his career. Meijer also was essential for Aachen's promotion into the Bundesliga after 36 years, in 2005-06.
Meijer ended his career that summer, stating he wanted to finish in style after this last big success.
Coaching career
He took on a post in the management of Alemannia Aachen. But after a very short time he was appointed assistant coach of the newly arrived Bundesliga team, working with Michael FrontzeckMichael Frontzeck
Michael Frontzeck is a German football coach and former footballer. For the Germany national football team, he earned 19 caps and was in the squad for Euro 1992.- Player career :...
, who succeeded Dieter Hecking
Dieter Hecking
Dieter Hecking is a German football manager and former professional player who works as head coach of 1. FC Nuremberg. He played for both Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig...
in September 2006. On 14 December 2009 was named as the new Director of Sport by his former club Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen is a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A long term fixture of the country's second division, Alemannia enjoyed a three-year turn in the top flight in the late 1960s and, after a successful 2005–06 campaign, returned to first division play...
and signed an contract between 30 June 2011. He is a patron of the newly formed AFC Liverpool, a club run by the fans of Liverpool FC.
International career
Meijer has collected one cap for the NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, in 1993.
External links
- Erik Meijer fansite (In German)