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Abe Minderts Lenstra (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈaːbəˈmɪndərtsˈlɛnstraː]; 27 November 1920 – 2 September 1985) was a Dutch footballer and national football icon in the 1950s who played as a forward. He is regarded as one of the greatest players ever to hail from the Netherlands. He was also a Frisian legend, most notably with the club where he made his name as a football player, Heerenveen.[2] Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, Lenstra was considered one of the best forwards of his generation [3] He earned 47 caps for the Netherlands national team, scoring 33 goals, and played a crucial role in the team's success during his era. In addition to his national fame, Lenstra was beloved in Friesland, where his contributions to both Heerenveen and regional football left a lasting legacy.[4]
Abe Lenstra's arguably greatest performance came in a match between Heerenveen and Ajax, where his team was losing 5–1 at halftime. Lenstra led a stunning comeback, scoring multiple goals to secure a 6–5 victory by the end of the second half.[5] This game is often remembered as a testament to his exceptional skill and leadership on the pitch. His talent was recognized internationally, with Serie A clubs, including Fiorentina, showing interest in signing him during a time when players rarely left their home countries due to the aftermath of World War II [6]
. This interest further emphasizes Lenstra's exceptional abilities. Over the course of his career, Lenstra scored more than 500 goals, a feat achieved by only a handful of players in football history, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greats. Lenstra won the Sportsman of the Year 1951 which was the first Sportsman of the Year election, Lenstra was the first to win this prize and won the Bond Rifle of the KNFB on 3 April 1960.[7]
Early life
Abe Lenstra's football journey began on the streets of Heerenveen, where he honed his skills playing informal games. He also played for his school football team, showcasing his early talent. At the age of 12, Syd Castle, the Scottish coach of FF Heerenveen, sought permission from Lenstra's father to allow him to join the club's youth setup. In 1936, at just 15 years old, Lenstra joined the club's top team. His first appearance for Heerenveen came alongside his older brother, Jan, in the club’s second team. On 1 March 1936, they played against Alcides from Meppel, with Abe scoring three goals and Jan scoring six, but despite the impressive performance, Abe missed out on a move to the first team.[8]
Career
Abe Lenstra's football career spanned several clubs, including SC Enschede, Enschedese Boys, PH: DOS '19, WSV, DOS Kampen and vv LTC. However, it was at VV Heerenveen (the previous name of current day SC Heerenveen) where he gained national prominence and earned a spot on the Dutch national team.Abe Lenstra made his debut for Heerenveen on 16 July 1936, during a tournament featuring clubs from Gorredijk, Noordwolde, Drachten, and Heerenveen. In his first match for the club against Gorredijk, which ended in a 2–2 draw, Lenstra scored a goal that Hepkema's Courant described as a "wonderful goal." Lenstra's most notable performances were with Heerenveen, including his legendary comeback performance against Ajax in 1950, where his team was trailing 5–1 at halftime, only to win 6–5 by the end of the match. This incredible performance solidified his status as one of the Netherlands' footballing icons. In 1954, when professional football was introduced in the Netherlands, the already 34-year-old Abe Lenstra made the move from VV Heerenveen to the much larger SC Enschede. Despite his skill, he narrowly missed out on winning the Eredivisie title when Enschede lost the 1958 final to DOS Utrecht after 180 minutes of play. In 1960, he made the move to the rivals Enschedese Boys, where he ended his professional career in 1963.
Abe Lenstra became the first Friesian footballer to play for the Netherlands national team on 31 March 1940, at just 19 years old, in a 5–4 loss to Luxembourg, where he scored a goal. Over his international career, he earned 47 caps and scored 33 goals,[9] forming key partnerships with players like Faas Wilkes and Kees Rijvers. Lenstra was known for standing by his principles, refusing to play for the national team if not selected for his preferred position.
It was Lenstra who put the name of SC Heerenveen on the footballing map, and the club became affectionately known as "Abeveen" in his honour. Long after his retirement, in 1977, he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage, which left him using a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Lenstra passed away in 1985, just a few days before the first-ever international match was played at the stadium that would be named after him a year later.
Legacy
Today, his name has been closely associated with SC Heerenveen and its stadium: The Abe Lenstra Stadion has been named in his honour as a lasting memorial.
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition.
Only official games are included in this table.[10][11][12]
Yme Kuiper, 'Abe Lenstra (1920–1985). Van Us Abe tot nationaal idool,' in: Fryslân, Nieuwsblad voor geschiedenis en cultuur, jg. 6 (2000), nr. 2, pp. 50–53. Online site
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