Jan Bens
{{Short description|Dutch footballer (1921–2012)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Jan Bens
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|4|15|df=y}}
|birth_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|5|12|1921|4|15|df=y}}
|death_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands
|height =
|position = Winger
|youthyears1 = 1933–1938
|youthclubs1 = Feyenoord
|years1 = 1940–1947
|clubs1 = Feyenoord
|caps1 = 76
|goals1 = 25
|years2 = 1947–1955{{Cite web|url=http://historiebetaaldvoetbal.nl/eboh/|title = EBOH – Historie Betaald Voetbal}}
|clubs2 = EBOH
|caps2 =
|goals2 =
|totalcaps =
|totalgoals =
|manageryears1 = 1962–1964
|managerclubs1 = DFC
|manageryears2 = 1964–1966
|managerclubs2 = Cambuur
|manageryears3 = 1968–1970
|managerclubs3 = Cambuur
|manageryears4 = 1970–1972
|managerclubs4 = SVV
}}
Jan Bens (15 April 1921 – 12 May 2012) was a Dutch professional football player and coach; he was also an amateur boxer and trainer.
Football career
=Playing career=
Born in Rotterdam, Bens joined hometown club Feyenoord at the age of 12 and made his senior debut at the age of 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/achtergronden/Columns-overzicht-1/Johan-Derksen/145034/De-laatste-wens-van-Jan-Bens.htm|title='De laatste wens van Jan Bens'|author=Johan Derksen|language=Dutch|date=5 November 2007|publisher=Voetbal International}} In a match against Ajax on 6 December 1942, Bens became the first player ever to be sent off in De Klassieker, after punching Ajax goalkeeper Gerrit Keizer. A winger, scored 25 goals in 76 first team games for Feyenoord.{{cite web |title=Oer-Feyenoorder Jan Bens overleden |url=https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/52964 |website=Feyenoord |access-date=18 March 2023 |language=Dutch |date=14 May 2012}} In 2007, he was the last surviving Feyenoord player from before World War II.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/03/26/met-jan-bens-naar-het-jarige-stadion-feyenoord-inclusief-historisch-dossier.aspx|title=Met Jan Bens naar het jarige Stadion Feyenoord (inclusief historisch dossier)|author=Jurryt van de Vooren|language=Dutch|date=26 March 2007|publisher=sportgeschiedenis.nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117114333/http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/03/26/met-jan-bens-naar-het-jarige-stadion-feyenoord-inclusief-historisch-dossier.aspx|archive-date=17 November 2011}}
He left Feyenoord for EBOH in 1947.[http://www.volkskrant.nl/archief/-ik-zou-haast-zeggen-ik-ben-feyenoordwaardig~a894462/ 'Ik zou haast zeggen, ik ben Feyenoordwaardig' Jan Bens..] - Volkskrant {{in lang|nl}}
=Managerial career=
After retiring as a player, Bens became a manager and coach, working in both the Netherlands and Australia with Go Ahead Eagles, EBOH, DFC, SC Cambuur, Ringwood City Wilhelmina and SVV.
Boxing career
Bens had a career as an amateur boxer, alongside his football career. He also trained professional boxer Lolle van Houten.
Later life and death
Bens died on 12 May 2012, at the age of 91.{{cite web|url=http://nos.nl/artikel/372892-oerfeyenoorder-bens-overleden.html|title=Oer-Feyenoorder Bens overleden|language=Dutch|date=14 May 2012|publisher=NOS Sport}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{FC Dordrecht managers}}
{{SC Cambuur managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bens, Jan}}
Category:Footballers from Rotterdam
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Dutch football managers
Category:FC Dordrecht managers
Category:20th-century Dutch sportsmen
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