Sjel de Bruyckere

Michaël "Sjel" de Bruyckere (6 February 1928 – 20 September 2011) was a Dutch footballer who played as a forward for Willem II and the Netherlands national team before emigrating to Australia. Known in Australia as Mike de Bruyckere, he played for Wilhemina and played two unofficial matches for the Australia national soccer team.

Sjel de Bruyckere
Personal information
Full name Michaël Christinus de Bruyckere
Date of birth 6 February 1928
Place of birth Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Date of death 20 September 2011 (aged 83)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1956 Willem II 167 (80)
1956–? Wilhelmina
Melbourne Hungaria
International career
1954–1956 Netherlands 7 (2)
Managerial career
Wilhelmina
Ringwood United
Lions
Polonia
George Cross
Preston Makedonia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

In 1950, de Bruyckere joined Willem II, where he played in the team's 1952 and 1955 national championship teams. After Willem II rejected a transfer to Lugano in 1956, de Bruyckere left for Australia, signing for Wilhelmina, a team founded by Dutch immigrants to Australia. Later in 1956, the Royal Dutch Football Association wrote to the Australian Soccer Football Association, requesting that a transfer fee be paid to Willem II.[1][2][3][4]

Sjel de Bruyckere (right) with his wife and son leaving Amsterdam in April 1956

International career

De Bruyckere made his debut for the Netherlands national football team against Belgium in October 1954. He played his seventh and last appearance at international level in April 1956, also against Belgium.[5][6]

In 1957, de Bruyckere played for Australian selections against visiting club teams Eastern AA and Ferencváros.[7]

Honours

Willem II

Wilhelmina

Individual

References
  1. "Laatste wens: as clubicoon Sjel rust op middenstip Willem II". Brabants Dagblad. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. Muyt, Adam (7 June 2018). "From World Cups and FIFA bans to the Socceroos and Bertie: the Dutch & Australian football". Footy Almanac. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  3. Hay, Roy. "Sjel (Mike) de Bruyckere (1928-2011". Sports & Editorial Services Australia. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. "Soccer Fee Demanded". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 September 1956. p. 10. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. Stokkermans, Karel (2012). "Michel "Sjel" de Bruijckere - International Appearances". RSSSF.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. "Sjel de Bruyckere overleden". OnsOranje. KNVB. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. Esamie, Thomas; Stock, Greg; Christopher, Kevin; Punshon, John. "Socceroo B Matches 1957". OzFootball. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. "Sjel "Mike" De Bruyckere". Football Australia. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
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