Gert Bals

Gert Bals (18 October 1936 – 20 May 2016) was a Dutch footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.

Gert Bals
Ajax tegen Blauw-Wit 1-0. Gert Bals, Bestanddeelnr 921-1896.jpg
Bals in 1968
Personal information
Full nameGerrit Bals
Date of birth(1936-10-18)18 October 1936
Place of birthUtrecht, Netherlands
Date of death20 May 2016(2016-05-20) (aged 79)
Place of deathVeenendaal, Netherlands
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Youth career
Velox
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1955–1957Zeist
1957–1961't Gooi
1961–1965PSV
1965–1970Ajax
1970–1973Vitesse
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Bals became the first Dutch goalkeeper in an UEFA Cup final, when he played for Ajax in the 1969 European Cup Final against Milan.[1]

He played 216 official matches for Ajax after making his debut for them in August 1965 and won 4 league titles with the club.[2] He won the Dutch Footballer of the Year Award in 1969.

He finished his career at Vitesse after losing Ajax´ number one jersey to Heinz Stuy in 1970.

References