François Sterchele

François Sterchele ( born March 14, 1982 in Liege, † 8 May 2008 in Vrasene ) was a Belgian footballer who played for Club Brugge in the Belgian Jupiler League.

Playing career

François Sterchele began his career as a footballer in the youth of the Belgian second division club RFC Liege, but where he could not prevail. For this reason, he went to the third division RFC Union La Calamine, where he at the first team was simultaneously indicate his great talent as a striker in his first season. With 14 goals in 30 games, he drew the attention of even higher class clubs up. With 23 goals in the following season he was able to confirm its strong performance from the previous year, so that took him to the third division Oud- Heverlee Leuven under contract.

There Sterchele increased again with 29 goals in only 27 games, so he stood the 2005/2006 season in the first division side Sporting Charleroi under contract. With nine goals in 31 games, he proved also in the Belgian Elite League his eye for goal. The following year, at Germinal Beerschot, he then finally a breakthrough in professional football - with 21 goals, he was the sole scorer in the Jupiler League. As a result, he was obliged by FC Bruges, where he quickly his place had certainly.

Sterchele died on 8 May 2008 in the early morning hours in a car accident between Antwerp and Knokke. With his Porsche Cayman he came off the road, hit a tree and was killed on the spot cause of this accident was excessive speed, according to prosecutors.

Personal Awards

• 2007 - Belgian scorer with Germinal Beerschot