Ex-Lierse figurehead Frans Vermeyen was born on the 25th March 1943. He played his first match for Lierse vs Gent on 6th September 1959 after transferring from HIH Turnhout. He scored in each of his first three matches for Lierse, and is still one of the youngest players to debut for Lierse. In his rookie season, he won the Title with Lierse (4 goals in 8 matches), whereby Lierse qualified for European football for the first time. Lierse losing to Barcelona.

Frans was selected for the Belgium national team, and made his debut away to Spain on 1st December 1963 (2-1 win). He was part of a strong squad with Nicolay, Devrindt, Trappeniers, Puis, Semmeling, Van Himst and Lierse teammate Robert Willems. He was third that year in the ‘Golden Boot’ awards.

The blond striker was a key player in the Cup winning Lierse side of 1969, scoring 3 times.

He was part of the fantatstic UEFA Cup run of Lierse in the ‘71-’72 season, which saw Lierse knock out Leeds Utd, Rosenborg and PSV, before losing to AC Milan in the quarter-finals. By winning against Leeds Utd at Elland Road, Lierse became the first Belgian team to win on English soil.

In the summer of ‘73 Frans moved to Antwerp FC, where they were League runners-up in his first season.

Frans Vermeyen played 366 league matches in 16 seasons in the First Division. He was regarded as the leader of the team with a clear match vision, precision passing, and a perfect kicking technique. He amassed 6 caps and scored twice against France (3-0). He played 29 Cup matches, and 14 European matches (5 goals).

Frans is still heavily involved with Lierse. He follows all Lierse matches, and is regularly to be seen at training. The board and the webteam via this tribute wish Frans a happy 65th birthday, and many more years as a faithful and dedicate Lierseman!