Happy 37th birthday Gerard Wiekens.
The first of a trio of brave, consistent Dutch servants City have had over the last twelve years, Gerard Wiekens - like Shaun Goater - was a pillar of consistency and composure throughout a difficult time. He joined while Frank Clark was in charge, but slotted quickly into the side and was central to the side that went down to the third tier before - alongside Andy Morrison - dragging the side out of the division the next year. He was a key feature of that Joe Royle side that won consecutive promotions. Like Shaun Goater, he could never quite do it in the top flight but he was a faithful servant as Kevin Keegan took us back up in 2001/02. He hung around for a bit longer before returning to Veendam in 2004.
Gerard Wiekens MCFC 1997-2004 195 starts, 9 goals.
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11 comments:
Seem to remember he marked an in form Rude Van Horse-face out of the 3-1 victory at Maine Rd when so called first choice defenders were ravaged with flu.
Wiekens was class. My abiding memory of him was scoring a cracker in the away game at Elland Road we won 2-1 (Wanchope had a blinder on his own up front) - a great night.
I'm drawing a blank about the other 2 consistent Dutch servants you refer to though: presumably De Jong but who else? Vonk?
The great Paul Bosvelt!
Man alive...I'm glad I forgot about him!
Nigel de Jong has already surpassed Bosvelt though, in terms of popularity at City and ability to perform the defensive midfield role.
But Bosvelt was ok.
I'm a big fan of NdJ but never warmed to Bosvelt. The sight of him and McManaman 'patrolling' our midfield was horrific.
Don't forget Claudio Reyna and his patrolling of the centre circle.
Alfons Groenendijk?
That's right Ian. Wiekens was masterful that day against van Nistelroy, who was knocking them in for fun that season. Never gave Horsehead a sniff. His performance was the standout. His and Gary Neville's (heh heh).
My best memory of Gerard was scoring the only goal of the game at Wrexham on an extremely wet Boxing Day 1998.
I still say that was the day the fight-back began.
Jack, you missed Colin Bell's birthday on Friday (26 Feb)!
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