Frans Thijssen

Frans Thijssen ( born January 23, 1952 in Malden ) is a former Dutch football player.

Career

Thijssen began his career in the Dutch Eredivisie in 1970 with NEC Nijmegen. His breakthrough in the Dutch football midfielder managed the game strong after his move in 1973 to FC Twente Enschede. With Enschede in 1975, he managed the entry into the UEFA Cup final, but the Dutch lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Dutch national team, he was however not until 1979, he moved to Ipswich Town in the English Premier League. Together with his fellow countryman Arnold Mühren he played a key role in the rise of provincial English club, which culminated with the UEFA Cup victory in 1981 against AZ Alkmaar. In the same year he was also elected to England's Footballer of the Year. It was the first time since the German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, a player from the continent learned this honor. For the Dutch national Thijssen took part in Italy at the European Football Championship 1980.

1983 moved Thijssen to Nottingham Forest. However, his career seemed to be coming to an end and he could not get a foothold here. He already moved in January 1984 to the Vancouver Whitecaps to leave it there end his career. This should feel back to the Dutch province of club Fortuna Sittard in 1985 following his move farther out. He changed twice and played 1987/1988 for FC Groningen from 1988 to 1991 with Vitesse Arnhem before he finally hung up his football boots on the nail.