Willem Hesselink
Football, Football player
1878 – 1973
Who was Willem Hesselink?
Willem Frederik Hesselink was a Dutch football player. Born in Arnhem, he was one of the founders of local club Vitesse in 1892 at age 14. He played for HVV during their glory years, becoming national champions several times. Hesselink moved to Munich to study in 1903, and joined Bayern Munich. In three years he would grow out to be their star player, manager and chairman. In 1905 he started in the first ever home match of the Netherlands national football team, a 4-0 victory against Belgium. Some historians attribute one of the goals scored to him.
Hesselink also excelled in athletics, holding several national records including the long jump. A team made up of him and his brothers became national champions in tug of war.
He was known for his blue woolen cap, which he seemed to wear day and night, and was nicknamed the Cannon, although he was also referred to as the Doctor because of his doctorate in chemistry.
Over the years he built up a colourful curriculum vitae including doctorates in chemistry and philosophy, becoming director of the Keuringsdienst van Waren, being expert witness in several murder trials, founding a labotory, and writing several health books.
We need you!
Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!
- Born
- Feb 8, 1878
Arnhem - Also known as
- The Cannon
- The Doctor
- Siblings
- Nationality
- Netherlands
- Profession
- Lived in
- Arnhem
- Died
- Dec 1, 1973
Bennekom
Submitted
on July 23, 2013
Citation
Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Willem Hesselink." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/willem_hesselink>.
Discuss this Willem Hesselink biography with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In