Hans van Delft

Van Delft was born in Nijmegen. He completed the HBS and played tennis. He worked for the company Depa (Delft Papier), started by his father. After his father died in 1979, Van Delft took over the management of the company.[3] Van Delft focused on trade in South East Asia and the company produced all kinds of plastic packaging materials in addition to paper in two factories in China. In 1989 Van Delft sold Depa, after which he obtained the Quote 500. After this he focused on commercial real estate. Van Delft was active as a board member of Actief Comité Binnenstad Nijmegen, the organizer of the Vierdaagsefeesten. He also owned the Arsenal (Nijmegen).[4]

In 1997 Van Delft succeeded Lex Coenen as chairman of the Nijmegen professional football club N.E.C.. Under his leadership, the Goffertstadion was renewed, the business club expanded and the club achieved European football in 2003. Supporters affectionately called him the Grote Dikke Leider (Great Fat Leader). He was succeeded in 2006 by Vincent Paes.[5][6][7]

In 2008 Van Delft finished second in the election of the 'most powerful Nijmegen citizen' of newspaper De Gelderlander, after alderman Paul Depla. When he retired as chairman, he was appointed honorary chairman of the club. He received from the Mayor Guusje ter Horst with the 'Silver medal of honor' the Honorary citizenship of the city of Nijmegen.[8] Van Delft was a director of the Eredivisie CV and stayed with NEC Associated as a board member of the Stichting Administratiekantoor (STAK) of the club and as a member of the group of investors around the club. In addition, he was also involved in the Daktimo tennis tournament for former tennis professionals in Molenhoek, where he lived for quite some time.[9] Hans van Delft died in March 2020 of the consequences of cancer at his home on the island Veur-Lent in Lent, Gelderland. Van Delft was buried at Rustoord in Nijmegen.