Francois van de Elst pictured above during the match against Birmingham City.
He scored the Hammers opening goal that day in a 5-0 romp.
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| Transferred from New York, U.S.A. in December 1981 |
| |
| West Ham: |
1981-1982 |
Played |
22 |
Scored |
5 |
goals |
(Division 1) |
| |
1982-1983 |
Played |
40 |
Scored |
9 |
goals |
(Division 1) |
| |
|
Francois played 243 League games for Anderlecht (1971-1980).
and 57 games for Lokeren after he left The Hammers (1983-1986)
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On New Years’ Day 2017 Francois collapsed and was placed in an induced coma following
resuscitation by a medical emergency team. A period of intensive care eventually failed
and ten days later he died from a cardiac arrest while still hospitalized, aged 62.