Robin van der Laan
Encyclopedia
Robin van der Laan is a Dutch
former footballer who spent most of his senior career in English football
. He now works as the director of his own soccer school in Canada, also working as a senior coach for Manchester United
Soccer Schools.
He began his playing career in his native Holland with Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
in 1987, helping them to top the Eerste Divisie
in 1989–90, before moving on to Wageningen
in 1990. In 1991 he moved to England to play for Port Vale
, where after four seasons as one of the club's key players he was sold on to Derby County
. He won the Football League Trophy
with Vale in 1993
, and won promotion out of the Second Division
in 1993–94
. He also won promotion out of the First Division
with Derby in 1995–96. In 1998 he transferred to Barnsley
, where he saw out his professional playing career until his retirement due to injury in 2001. He made a total of 314 appearances in a ten year career in the Football League
.
side Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
in 1987. The club finished in mid-table in 1987–88 and 1988–89, before winning promotion to the Eredivisie
as 1989–90 Eerste Divisie champions. However he remained in the Dutch second tier in 1990–91, signing with Wageningen
. In four years in the Netherlands
he played 59 games for SVV and 27 games for Wageningen.
He was signed by English
Second Division
side Port Vale
in February 1991 for a fee of £80,000 after impressing on trial. Initially signed as a striker, manager John Rudge
converted him into a midfielder
. Instantly recognisable for his mane of long
blond
e hair, Van der Laan soon became a popular figure with the Vale fans, his bustling style and midfield engine enabled him to settle into the English game very quickly, as he hit four goals in eighteen games in 1990–91
.
He made 49 appearances in 1991–92
, scoring six goals, including a strike in front of the Kop in a 2–2 League Cup
draw with Liverpool
. Despite his contribution, Vale were relegated, though due to the creation of the Premier League, the Third Division
became the Second Division. He made 53 appearances in 1992–93
, scoring ten goals, helping the "Valiants" to both the League Trophy Final
and the play-off Final
. Vale beat Stockport County
2–1 in the cup final at Wembley, but lost 3–0 to West Bromwich Albion
in the play-off final.
Vale did go on to win promotion into the First Division
in 1993–94
, following a second place finish. He was again a key player at Vale Park
in 1994–95
, as the club retained their second tier status. However his good looks and popularity with the Vale fans saw him targeted by the more thuggish
element of rivals
Stoke City
and he was punched in the face whilst inside a pizza
and kebab
house in Newcastle-under-Lyme
on 18 June 1995.
In the summer of 1995, Van der Laan was sold to Derby County
for a fee of £475,000 plus Lee Mills
. He was made captain by manager Jim Smith
and was an influential member of the team. He scored the goal which sealed promotion to the Premier League in 1996
– this made him a permanent fan favourite. He made 21 appearances for the "Rams" in 1996–97
, and also spent October and November on loan at First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers
, playing seven games. Injury limited him to thirteen appearances in 1997–98
, his final season at Pride Park
.
Van der Laan signed for Barnsley
in summer 1998 for a fee of £325,000. He played twenty games for the First Division club in 1998–99, scoring twice. He made 37 appearances in 1999–2000
, as the "Tykes" reached the play-offs, only to lose 4–2 to Ipswich Town
in the final. He played 22 games in 2000–01, before a recurring knee injury he picked up in December 2000 forced him to retire from professional football in March 2001, at the age of 32.
Soccer Schools. He set up The Robin van der Laan Soccer School and Academy in Canada, providing training and development in a creative environment, where players are encouraged to be creative on the field.
with Port Vale
with Derby County
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...
former footballer who spent most of his senior career in English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
. He now works as the director of his own soccer school in Canada, also working as a senior coach for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
Soccer Schools.
He began his playing career in his native Holland with Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging was a Dutch professional football club from Schiedam. Founded in 1904, the club won the Dutch national football title in 1949. In 1991, SVV and neighbouring Dordrecht'90 merged to form FC Dordrecht.-History:...
in 1987, helping them to top 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...
in 1989–90, before moving on to Wageningen
FC Wageningen
FC Wageningen was a Dutch football club which was founded on August 27, 1911. The club played its matches in the Wageningse Berg stadium ....
in 1990. In 1991 he moved to England to play for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, where after four seasons as one of the club's key players he was sold on to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He won the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
with Vale in 1993
1993 Football League Trophy Final
The 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and...
, and won promotion out of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1993–94
1993–94 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
. He also won promotion out of the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
with Derby in 1995–96. In 1998 he transferred to Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, where he saw out his professional playing career until his retirement due to injury in 2001. He made a total of 314 appearances in a ten year career in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
Playing career
Van der Laan started his career at Eerste DivisieEerste 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...
side Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging
Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging was a Dutch professional football club from Schiedam. Founded in 1904, the club won the Dutch national football title in 1949. In 1991, SVV and neighbouring Dordrecht'90 merged to form FC Dordrecht.-History:...
in 1987. The club finished in mid-table in 1987–88 and 1988–89, before winning promotion 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....
as 1989–90 Eerste Divisie champions. However he remained in the Dutch second tier in 1990–91, signing with Wageningen
FC Wageningen
FC Wageningen was a Dutch football club which was founded on August 27, 1911. The club played its matches in the Wageningse Berg stadium ....
. In four years in the Netherlands
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...
he played 59 games for SVV and 27 games for Wageningen.
He was signed by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in February 1991 for a fee of £80,000 after impressing on trial. Initially signed as a striker, manager John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
converted him into a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Instantly recognisable for his mane of long
Long hair
Long hair is a hairstyle. Exactly what constitutes long hair can change from culture to culture, or even within cultures. For example, a woman with chin-length hair in some cultures may be said to have short hair, while a man with the same length of hair in some of the same cultures would be said...
blond
Blond
Blond or blonde or fair-hair is a hair color characterized by low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin. The resultant visible hue depends on various factors, but always has some sort of yellowish color...
e hair, Van der Laan soon became a popular figure with the Vale fans, his bustling style and midfield engine enabled him to settle into the English game very quickly, as he hit four goals in eighteen games in 1990–91
1990–91 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1990–91 season was Port Vale's seventy-ninth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Second Division. For the first time since 1926–27 they played in a league above rivals Stoke City...
.
He made 49 appearances in 1991–92
1991–92 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1991–92 season was Port Vale's eightieth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the Second Division. For only the third time in their history they competed in a division above rivals Stoke City...
, scoring six goals, including a strike in front of the Kop in a 2–2 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...
draw with Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. Despite his contribution, Vale were relegated, though due to the creation of the Premier League, the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
became the Second Division. He made 53 appearances in 1992–93
1992–93 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1992–93 season was Port Vale's eighty-first season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the Second Division. John Rudge found new stars by bringing both Ian Taylor and Paul Musselwhite to the club at a combined fee of just £40,000. His team won the pre-season TNT...
, scoring ten goals, helping the "Valiants" to both the League Trophy Final
1993 Football League Trophy Final
The 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and...
and the play-off Final
1993 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The 1993 Football League Second Division play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 30 May 1993, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Third Division to the Second Division of The Football League in the 1992–93 season...
. Vale beat Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
2–1 in the cup final at Wembley, but lost 3–0 to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in the play-off final.
Vale did go on to win promotion into the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1993–94
1993–94 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
, following a second place finish. He was again a key player at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
in 1994–95
1994–95 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1994–95 season was Port Vale's eighty-third season of football in the Football League, and first ever season in the First Division following their promotion from the Second Division. John Rudge led his team to safety in the league, whilst reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup and League Cup...
, as the club retained their second tier status. However his good looks and popularity with the Vale fans saw him targeted by the more thuggish
Naughty Forty
Naughty Forty is a football hooligan firm linked to the English Premier League team, Stoke City F.C.-Background:...
element of rivals
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and he was punched in the face whilst inside a pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
and kebab
Doner kebab
Doner kebab is a dish made of roasted meat cooked on a vertical spit. It is also known regionally as gyro , shawarma, and al pastor . It consists of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats roasted on a spit. Less common alternatives include fish and sausage...
house in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme is a market town in Staffordshire, England, and is the principal town of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is part of The Potteries Urban Area and North Staffordshire. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 73,944...
on 18 June 1995.
In the summer of 1995, Van der Laan was sold to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
for a fee of £475,000 plus Lee Mills
Lee Mills
Rowan Lee Mills , usually known as Lee Mills, is an English former footballer, who played as a striker....
. He was made captain by manager Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
and was an influential member of the team. He scored the goal which sealed promotion to the Premier League in 1996
1995–96 Derby County F.C. season
During the 1995–96 English football season, Derby County F.C. competed in the Football League First Division.-Season summary:Jim Smith became new manager of Derby County in the summer replacing former boss Roy McFarland. Although the new season started slowly, the signing of sweeper Igor Štimac in...
– this made him a permanent fan favourite. He made 21 appearances for the "Rams" in 1996–97
1996–97 Derby County F.C. season
The 1996–97 season was Derby County's first in the Premier League, following their promotion from the First Division the previous season. Derby performed well for a newly promoted club, finishing 12th in the 20-team division...
, and also spent October and November on loan at First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, playing seven games. Injury limited him to thirteen appearances in 1997–98
1997–98 Derby County F.C. season
The 1997–98 English football season was Derby County's second consecutive season in the FA Premier League .-Season summary:...
, his final season at Pride Park
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
.
Van der Laan signed for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
in summer 1998 for a fee of £325,000. He played twenty games for the First Division club in 1998–99, scoring twice. He made 37 appearances in 1999–2000
1999–2000 Barnsley F.C. season
During the 1999–2000 English football season, Barnsley F.C. competed in the Football League First Division.-Season summary:Barnsley qualified for the play-offs and, after thrashing 5-1 on aggregate , reached the final at Wembley to face...
, as the "Tykes" reached the play-offs, only to lose 4–2 to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in the final. He played 22 games in 2000–01, before a recurring knee injury he picked up in December 2000 forced him to retire from professional football in March 2001, at the age of 32.
Post-retirement
Van der Laan is currently the Head International Coach for Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
Soccer Schools. He set up The Robin van der Laan Soccer School and Academy in Canada, providing training and development in a creative environment, where players are encouraged to be creative on the field.
Honours
with Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging- Eerste DivisieEerste DivisieThe 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...
champion: 1989–90
with Port Vale
- TNT Tournament winner: 1992
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 19931993 Football League Trophy FinalThe 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and... - Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runner-up: 1993–941993–94 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
with Derby County
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
runner-up: 1995–96