Henk van Brussel

Henk van Brussel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɛŋk fɑmˈbrɵsəl];[1] 12 June 1936 7 October 2007) was a football player and manager from the Netherlands.

Henk van Brussel
Personal information
Place of birth Rijssen, Netherlands
Date of death 7 October 2007(2007-10-07) (aged 71)
Place of death Turkey
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
Excelsior '31
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
–1964 Go Ahead
De Graafschap
Teams managed
1975 Go Ahead Eagles
1976 Go Ahead Eagles (a.i.)
1978 Go Ahead Eagles (a.i.)
1979–1980 Rohda Raalte
1980–1985 Heerenveen
1985–1987 De Graafschap
1987–1988 FC Groningen
1989–1991 Heracles
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career


Van Brussel played for local side Excelsior '31[2] and was part of the Go Ahead squad that won promotion to the Eredivisie in 1963.[3]

Managerial career

Van Brussel worked for Go Ahead Eagles, Rohda Raalte (amateurs), SC Heerenveen, De Graafschap, FC Groningen and SC Heracles. At Heerenveen his playing style was called the "Brussels Luna Park", because of his open attacking play which resulted in a surge in attendances.[4][5]


Van Brussel died from heart failure during a vacation stay in Turkey.[6]


  1. In isolation, van is pronounced [vɑn].
  2. Oude Excelsior'31 1e elftalspeler, voetbalprof en betaald voetbalcoach Henk van Brussel overleden - Excelsior '31 (in Dutch)
  3. Henk van Brussel (72) overleden - RTV Oost (in Dutch)
  4. Oud –trainer Henk van Brussel overleden - Heerenveen (in Dutch)
  5. Altijd feest en spektakel op 'Brusselse kermis' - Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch)
  6. "Henk van Brussel overleden". de Volkskrant. 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
