Former Oranje left-back Kees Kuijs dies at 94

Kees Kuijs, a former Dutch international footballer, has passed away at 94, his family confirmed to ANP. He played for NAC Breda and HFC Haarlem and represented the Netherlands 43 times between 1955 and 1962. Kuijs was the oldest surviving former player of the national team.

Born in Anna Paulowna, Noord-Holland, Kuijs was a celebrated left-back, even making Johan Cruijff’s shortlist for the Netherlands’ “Team of the Century.” After retiring from playing, he headed the physiotherapy department at Revalidatiecentrum Breda and stayed involved in football as a kit manager and technical director at NAC, as well as a member of the KNVB disciplinary committee.

Kuijs claimed the Eerste Klasse title with HFC Haarlem in the 1951/52 season. He joined NAC as a semi-professional in 1955, narrowly missing the national championship in his debut season. Over his time at the club, he made 239 appearances for NAC Breda.

Kuijs debuted for the Netherlands on March 13, 1955, in a 1-1 home draw against Denmark and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the national team, according to a KNVB obituary. “He was a hard but fair defender, rarely breaking the rules. He never missed a game for HFC Haarlem, NAC Breda, or the national team due to suspension.”

The KNVB recounted a memorable story about Kuijs. “One of his standout matches was an away game against Turkey. After an aerial challenge, he landed awkwardly and developed a hernia. Unable to sleep through the night due to the pain, his teammates spent the entire night with him, keeping him company by playing cards.”