Henri Coppens
Encyclopedia
Henri 'Rik' François Coppens (born 29 April 1930 in the popular Seefhoek neighbourhood in Antwerp, Belgium) is a former Belgian
football
striker
. His parents owned and ran a fishmonger's shop there.
Coppens has arguably been the best technical football player in Belgium. The rather short striker (1.68 m / 5'6") was a great dribbler and a productive goal scorer.
He played notably for Beerschot
(until 1961) and the national team for which he scored 21 goals in 47 matches between 1949 and 1959. Coppens played in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland
. "Rik" finished three times top scorer of the Belgian First Division (in 1952, 1953, and 1955) and he scored 261 goals in 389 games in the Belgian first division .Rik received the first Belgian Golden Shoe
in 1954.
Although his skills were overapparent and the Beerschot fans almost exclusively turned up only to see him, he was often criticized for his antics and his "unprofessional" (in the pre-professional days of Belgian football) behaviour on the football pitch. Characteristically, his team Beerschot, never won a championship title nor a Belgian cup during his tenure. In 1961, Beerschot grew tired of their star player and his diminishing value on the pitch and he was transferred to Olympic Charleroi.
He ended his playing career at the end of 60s for the Antwerp suburb team, Berchem Sport, as player-coach.
When his playing career was over, he became a full-time coach for Berchem Sport, Rotselaar (in 1979), and his old team Beerschot (1974–1978 and also a brief spell at the beginning of the 80s). For a few months in the 1981-82 season, he was the trainer for Club Brugge
, who were, strangely enough for them, struggling in the last position of the ranking at the time. Coppens' idiosyncratic style and methods didn't seem to suit the West-Flemish team and he was sacked before the end of the season. It seemed his great training days were finished and over the following years, he was losing his motivation to be a coach.
He somehow retired prematurely from the football business, only being an occasional studio guest in Football World Cup or Euro tournament shows. Football commentator Frank Raes made a warmhearted tribute DVD ('Ik Rik'), though, which brought him back in the spotlight a bit. But all 'n all, he has always given the impression that he played for his own pleasure, holding a no-nonsense attitude towards football in general.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. His parents owned and ran a fishmonger's shop there.
Coppens has arguably been the best technical football player in Belgium. The rather short striker (1.68 m / 5'6") was a great dribbler and a productive goal scorer.
He played notably for Beerschot
K. Beerschot V.A.C.
Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
(until 1961) and the national team for which he scored 21 goals in 47 matches between 1949 and 1959. Coppens played in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. "Rik" finished three times top scorer of the Belgian First Division (in 1952, 1953, and 1955) and he scored 261 goals in 389 games in the Belgian first division .Rik received the first Belgian Golden Shoe
Belgian Golden Shoe
In association football, the Belgian Golden Shoe is an award given in Belgium at the beginning of each civil year to the best footballer of the Belgian First Division for the past year. The trophy is sponsored by the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws....
in 1954.
Although his skills were overapparent and the Beerschot fans almost exclusively turned up only to see him, he was often criticized for his antics and his "unprofessional" (in the pre-professional days of Belgian football) behaviour on the football pitch. Characteristically, his team Beerschot, never won a championship title nor a Belgian cup during his tenure. In 1961, Beerschot grew tired of their star player and his diminishing value on the pitch and he was transferred to Olympic Charleroi.
He ended his playing career at the end of 60s for the Antwerp suburb team, Berchem Sport, as player-coach.
When his playing career was over, he became a full-time coach for Berchem Sport, Rotselaar (in 1979), and his old team Beerschot (1974–1978 and also a brief spell at the beginning of the 80s). For a few months in the 1981-82 season, he was the trainer for Club Brugge
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
, who were, strangely enough for them, struggling in the last position of the ranking at the time. Coppens' idiosyncratic style and methods didn't seem to suit the West-Flemish team and he was sacked before the end of the season. It seemed his great training days were finished and over the following years, he was losing his motivation to be a coach.
He somehow retired prematurely from the football business, only being an occasional studio guest in Football World Cup or Euro tournament shows. Football commentator Frank Raes made a warmhearted tribute DVD ('Ik Rik'), though, which brought him back in the spotlight a bit. But all 'n all, he has always given the impression that he played for his own pleasure, holding a no-nonsense attitude towards football in general.