Erik Meijer (footballer)

Erik Meijer (born 2 August 1969) is a retired Dutch footballer. Standing at 1.89 m (6 ft 2 1⁄2 in), he was known as a header specialist.

For other people named Erik Meijer, see Erik Meijer (disambiguation).

Erik Meijer
Personal information
Full name Erik Meijer
Date of birth (1969-08-02) 2 August 1969
Place of birth Meerssen, Netherlands
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1984–1985 SV Meerssen
1985–1986 MVV Maastricht
1986–1988 Fortuna Sittard
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1989 Fortuna Sittard 14 (1)
1989–1990 Royal Antwerp 0 (0)
1989–1990 Eindhoven 14 (5)
1990–1991 Fortuna Sittard 26 (5)
1991–1993 MVV 66 (34)
1993–1995 PSV 40 (13)
1995–1996 KFC Uerdingen 05 32 (11)
1996–1999 Bayer Leverkusen 84 (16)
1999–2000 Liverpool 24 (1)
2000 → Preston North End (loan) 9 (0)
2000–2003 Hamburger SV 58 (11)
2003–2006 Alemannia Aachen 92 (29)
Total 462 (117)
National team
1993 Netherlands 1 (0)
Teams managed
2006–2007 Alemannia Aachen (assistant)
2010–2012 Alemannia Aachen (sporting director)
2014–2019 MVV Maastricht (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He last worked as director of sports for Alemannia Aachen.[1]

Career

Born in Meerssen, Limburg, Meijer started his career at Fortuna Sittard (1987–89). He broke through in the early 1990s at Dutch Eredivisie club MVV Maastricht and was transferred to PSV Eindhoven in 1994, where he did not play much due to competition by team mates Ronaldo, Luc Nilis and Wim Kieft.

He then moved to German Bundesliga struggler KFC Uerdingen 05 in 1995, where he was one of the few bright spots in a hapless squad, and was picked up by Bayer 04 Leverkusen. There, he was paired up with Ulf Kirsten and formed one of the most intimidating striker duos of the Bundesliga.

After successful years, Meijer moved to Liverpool F.C. in 1999, where he failed to make an impression next to Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. He was therefore loaned out to Preston North End for one season. He returned to the Bundesliga and joined Hamburger SV in December 2000. Meijer scored two goals in his time at Anfield, both coming in a League Cup tie against Hull City.[2] He joined Liverpool fans in Dortmund prior to the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, where he drank and sang with Reds fans. Despite playing a limited number of games for Liverpool, Meijer was voted 99th in the fan-based poll, 100 Players Who Shook The Kop.[3][4]

But it was only after moving to 2. Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen, in 2003, where he finally regained success. In the autumn of his career, his strong play and dressing room presence propelled Aachen into the DFB-Pokal finals in 2003–04, losing to Werder Bremen, but earning a ticket into the UEFA Cup (as Bremen were German champions) and rejuvenating Alemannia financially. He was also named captain for the first time in his career. Meijer also was essential for Aachen's promotion into the Bundesliga after 36 years, in 2005–06.

Meijer ended his career that summer, stating he wanted to finish in style after this last big success.

International career

Meijer earned his sole cap for the Netherlands during a 6–0 win against San Marino in 1993.[5]

Coaching career

He took on a post in the management of Alemannia Aachen. But after a very short time he was appointed assistant coach of the newly arrived Bundesliga team, working with Michael Frontzeck, who succeeded Dieter Hecking in September 2006. On 14 December 2009 was named as the new director of sport by his former club Alemannia Aachen and signed a contract between 30 June 2011. He is a patron of A.F.C. Liverpool, a club run by the fans of Liverpool F.C..

References
  1. "Neuanfang ohne Erik Meijer" (in German). Alemannia Aachen. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  2. Turnbull, Simon (14 September 1999). "Boothferry no barrier for Murphy and Meijer". London: The Independent. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  3. "100 Players Who Shook The Kop". liverpoolfc.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
  4. Platt, Mark (18 May 2006). "100 PWSTK - No.99: Erik Meijer". liverpoolfc.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  5. "Erik Meijer" (in Dutch). voetbalstats.nl. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
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