Mark de Vries
Encyclopedia
Mark de Vries is a Dutch
footballer currently playing for Dutch Jupiler League
club SC Cambuur.
in the Netherlands. The towering striker played youth football for local side WGW Den Helder. In 1994, De Vries was recruited by FC Volendam
where he gained four seasons experience at the top level in the Dutch Eredivisie
.
De Vries spent season 1998–99 in the French Second Division
with Chamois Niortais and then the Dutch First Division club Dordrecht '90
acquired his services in 1999. In his second season with the club, De Vries scored 11 times and netted 16 times the following season.
manager Craig Levein
was successful in securing his transfer to the Scottish
club in July 2002. De Vries played a massive part in helping Hearts reach the League Cup
semi-final in February 2003 and also to secure 3rd place in the Premier League
and UEFA Cup
football in successive seasons. He scored 29 goals in 72 league matches for the Edinburgh
club. He is well remembered by Hearts fans for scoring 4 goals on his first start against fierce city rivals Hibernian
in a 5–1 victory in August 2002.
On November 6, 2003, de Vries scored the winning goal which gave Hearts a shock victory over Bordeaux
, producing one of the club's best ever away results in European competition. Hearts rejected an offer from QPR
for de Vries on 21 December 2004, while Sheffield United
and Plymouth Argyle
all expressed an interest to sign the striker after his fine performances in the UEFA Cup.
at his new club, and becoming his first signing, alongside fellow former Hearts player Alan Maybury
. Upon signing for City, de Vries said,
The striker made his debut for the Foxes in their 2–2 FA Cup
third round draw with Blackpool
at the Walkers Stadium
on January 8, 2005. De Vries made 20 appearances for the Foxes that season, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat of Millwall
, a goal which was to prove his only one of the season. He was employed as a lone striker in the FA Cup
fifth round clash against Charlton Athletic
on 19 February 2005, and was instrumental in City's progress to the quarter finals as they won 2–1.
In the first half of the 2005–06 season
, he scored 9 goals, including the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur
in the FA Cup
. In a Carling Cup
match against Blackpool on 20 September 2005, de Vries was made captain as he scored two goals for Leicester.
After playing 35 matches for struggling Leicester in the season up to the end of January, de Vries left the club on a loan deal to Dutch club SC Heerenveen, following the dismissal of Levein, who was replaced by Rob Kelly
. De Vries rejected a permanent move to Heerenveen in the summer, instead joining fellow Eredivisie
side ADO Den Haag
on loan for the 2006–07 season. He only scored two goals in 27 appearances as the Dutch team were relegated to the Eerste Divisie
.
On June 7, 2007, de Vries was placed on the transfer list alongside Rab Douglas
. Despite this, he remained in the first team for the start of the 2007–08 season, scoring his last goal for Leicester in a 4–1 home win over on August 25. He made his last contribution for the club in a 3–2 away win over in a League Cup
match on September 18, assisting the winning goal.
On 1 October 2007, De Vries joined Leeds United on loan for an initial one month period, where he provided cover for Jermaine Beckford
and Tresor Kandol
. He made his debut against Oldham Athletic on 2 October 2007, scoring his first goal for the club against Yeovil
on 6 October 2007. On 25 October, Leeds terminated de Vries' loan contract after he suffered a broken toe. He made a total of four appearances for the club, scoring one goal. However, on November 12, 2007 he rejoined Leeds on until January 15. His time at Leicester finally came to an end when he was released by mutual consent on January 25, 2008.
who had signed him while at Leicester just under three years ago and Hearts before that. De Vries scored his first goal for United in the League Cup
final defeat against Rangers
and netted his first league goal six days later in the win against Motherwell
. De Vries's contract expired at the end of June 2008 and he undertook a trial with Dutch side SC Cambuur in late July.
, a game that Cambuur won 6–2, scoring the final goal of the match. He signed a two-year contract with the club, who are favorites to win the league and to move up to the Eredivisie
.
Mark de Vries is, as a "pinchitter", very important for SC Cambuur, in last seasons playoffs he scored two important, winning, goals against FC Zwolle and the 1–1 in the away game against Roda JC, gaining a third and decisive game in the playoffs against that team (Roda JC) which SC Cambuur lost.
Also in 2011 in playoffs he scored all three goal of SC Cambuur, but SC Cambuur could not qualify due to a last-minute equaliser by Zwolle, who passed at penalties.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer currently playing for Dutch Jupiler League
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
club SC Cambuur.
Early career
De Vries was born in Suriname, but when he was six months old his mother took him to live in Den HelderDen Helder
Den Helder is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Den Helder occupies the northernmost point of the North Holland peninsula...
in the Netherlands. The towering striker played youth football for local side WGW Den Helder. In 1994, De Vries was recruited by FC Volendam
FC Volendam
Football Club Volendam is a Dutch football club based in Volendam, North Holland, Edam-Volendam. Founded on June 1, 1977, as a result of a split up with RKSV . It currently plays in the Eerste Divisie, holding home games at Kras Stadion, with a 6,260-seat capacity.-History:Football Club Volendam...
where he gained four seasons experience at the top level in the 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....
.
De Vries spent season 1998–99 in the French Second Division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
with Chamois Niortais and then the Dutch First Division club Dordrecht '90
FC Dordrecht
FC Dordrecht is a football club from the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie.- History :Founded on 16 August 1883 as Dordrechtsche Football Club , it became a professional club in 1954 upon the introduction of professional football to the Netherlands...
acquired his services in 1999. In his second season with the club, De Vries scored 11 times and netted 16 times the following season.
Heart of Midlothian
His services were now in demand and HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
manager Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
was successful in securing his transfer to the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
club in July 2002. De Vries played a massive part in helping Hearts reach the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
semi-final in February 2003 and also to secure 3rd place in the Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and 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...
football in successive seasons. He scored 29 goals in 72 league matches for the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club. He is well remembered by Hearts fans for scoring 4 goals on his first start against fierce city rivals Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in a 5–1 victory in August 2002.
On November 6, 2003, de Vries scored the winning goal which gave Hearts a shock victory over Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
, producing one of the club's best ever away results in European competition. Hearts rejected an offer from QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
for de Vries on 21 December 2004, while Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
all expressed an interest to sign the striker after his fine performances in the UEFA Cup.
Leicester City
De Vries joined Leicester City on January 6, 2005 – joining Craig LeveinCraig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
at his new club, and becoming his first signing, alongside fellow former Hearts player Alan Maybury
Alan Maybury
Alan Paul Maybury is an Irish footballer currently playing for St. Johnstone.-Leeds:As a youngster Maybury was linked to Rangers and was anecdotally the first player from the Republic of Ireland to be offered a youth contract. However he decided to start his senior career at Leeds United...
. Upon signing for City, de Vries said,
The striker made his debut for the Foxes in their 2–2 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round draw with Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
at the Walkers Stadium
Walkers Stadium
The King Power Stadium is a football stadium which hosts home matches of English football club Leicester City. The all-seater stadium, inaugurated in July 2002, holds 32,500 and has the 19th largest stadium capacity in England. The stadium is named after King Power, a company owned by club owner...
on January 8, 2005. De Vries made 20 appearances for the Foxes that season, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat of Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, a goal which was to prove his only one of the season. He was employed as a lone striker in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
fifth round clash against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on 19 February 2005, and was instrumental in City's progress to the quarter finals as they won 2–1.
In the first half of the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, he scored 9 goals, including the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. In a Carling Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match against Blackpool on 20 September 2005, de Vries was made captain as he scored two goals for Leicester.
After playing 35 matches for struggling Leicester in the season up to the end of January, de Vries left the club on a loan deal to Dutch club SC Heerenveen, following the dismissal of Levein, who was replaced by Rob Kelly
Rob Kelly
Robert Anthony "Rob" Kelly is an English former footballer and manager. Recently caretaker manager at Nottingham Forest, after Steve McClaren's departure and prior to the appointment of Steve Cotterill...
. De Vries rejected a permanent move to Heerenveen in the summer, instead joining fellow 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....
side ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
on loan for the 2006–07 season. He only scored two goals in 27 appearances as the Dutch team were relegated to the Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
.
On June 7, 2007, de Vries was placed on the transfer list alongside Rab Douglas
Robert Douglas (footballer)
Robert James "Rab" Douglas is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Dundee as a goalkeeper. He is a former Scotland international, and is known as a Motherwell F.C. supporter.-Celtic:...
. Despite this, he remained in the first team for the start of the 2007–08 season, scoring his last goal for Leicester in a 4–1 home win over on August 25. He made his last contribution for the club in a 3–2 away win over in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match on September 18, assisting the winning goal.
On 1 October 2007, De Vries joined Leeds United on loan for an initial one month period, where he provided cover for Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...
and Tresor Kandol
Tresor Kandol
Trésor Osmar Kandol is a Congolese international footballer. He is currently a free agent after being released by Spanish second division club Albacete. Before playing for Albacete he played for Barnet, Chesham United, Darlington, Dagenham & Redbridge, Thurrock, Bournemouth, Cambridge United,...
. He made his debut against Oldham Athletic on 2 October 2007, scoring his first goal for the club against Yeovil
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
on 6 October 2007. On 25 October, Leeds terminated de Vries' loan contract after he suffered a broken toe. He made a total of four appearances for the club, scoring one goal. However, on November 12, 2007 he rejoined Leeds on until January 15. His time at Leicester finally came to an end when he was released by mutual consent on January 25, 2008.
Dundee United
De Vries joined on the same day he was released from , for the third time linking up with Craig LeveinCraig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
who had signed him while at Leicester just under three years ago and Hearts before that. De Vries scored his first goal for United in the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
final defeat against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and netted his first league goal six days later in the win against Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. De Vries's contract expired at the end of June 2008 and he undertook a trial with Dutch side SC Cambuur in late July.
Cambuur Leeuwarden
De Vries joined SC Cambuur Leeuwarden on August 28, 2008. He scored on his debut against FC EmmenFC Emmen
FC Emmen is a Dutch football club based in Emmen, Drenthe, and currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands.-History:...
, a game that Cambuur won 6–2, scoring the final goal of the match. He signed a two-year contract with the club, who are favorites to win the league and to move up to the 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....
.
Mark de Vries is, as a "pinchitter", very important for SC Cambuur, in last seasons playoffs he scored two important, winning, goals against FC Zwolle and the 1–1 in the away game against Roda JC, gaining a third and decisive game in the playoffs against that team (Roda JC) which SC Cambuur lost.
Also in 2011 in playoffs he scored all three goal of SC Cambuur, but SC Cambuur could not qualify due to a last-minute equaliser by Zwolle, who passed at penalties.
Personal awards and achievements
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Player of the Month: September 2002
External links
- Profile at * londonhearts.com