Rik Coppens
Rik Coppens is one of the best strikers in the history of Belgian football. A legend of K. Beerschot VAC from the 50s. In total, he scored more than 300 goals in his career.
Trophy
Goals
Games
1946/61 K. Beerschot VAC (BEL) 362 games, 258 goals
1961/62 Olympic Charleroi (BEL) 27 games, 3 goals
1962/67 Royal Crossing Club Molenbeek (BEL) 121 games, 32 goals
1967/69 Berchem Sport (BEL) 45 games, 8 goals
1969/70 Tubantia Borgerhout VK (BEL)
With the National Team :
47 caps, 21 goals
(Friendly matches: 40 caps, 14 goals)
(World Cup qualifiers: 5 caps, 6 goals)
(World Cup: 2 caps, 1 goal)
1st cap: March 13, 1949 against the Netherlands (3-3)
Last cap: October 4, 1959 against the Netherlands (1-9)
U19: 4 caps
Henri François Louis Coppens
Born on April 29, 1930 in Antwerp (BEL)
Died on February 5, 2015 in Wilrijk (BEL)
Belgian, Striker, Left-Winger, Right-Winger, 1m69
Nickname: The terrible kid of Kiel
A legend of K. Beerschot VAC
Rik Coppens was born on April 29, 1930 in Antwerp, Belgium. He made his first start in professional football at the age of 16. He quickly became a key player in his team. He gradually climbed the ranks, ahead of one of the best strikers in the Belgian championship.
In total, he finished top scorer in the Belgian championship twice, in 1952/53 and in 1954/55 with 35 goals both times. Skillful with both feet, he was a complete striker, very gifted technically. In total, he played 15 years at K. Beerschot VAC for a total of 362 matches and 258 goals.
A legend of Belgian football
He then signed for Olympic Charleroi and then Royal Crossing Club Molenbeek, the time to score a few more goals to an already impressive total. The one nicknamed "The terrible child of Kiel" very quickly became a legend of Belgian football, one of the best strikers the country has ever had.
He participated in the 1954 World Cup with his country where he played 2 matches for 1 goal. Coppens is known for having invented the two-man penalty, with his teammate André Piters during a match against Iceland in June 1957. In total, he played 47 matches for 21 goals for his country. He finally retired in 1970 at the age of 40.
Individual Trophies :
- Belgian Golden Shoe in 1954
- Top scorer in the Belgian championship in 1953 (35 goals) and 1955 (35 goals) (K. Beerschot VAC)