Dick Schoenaker

Dirk "Dick" Hendrikus Schoenaker (born 30 November 1952) is a retired Dutch football midfielder, who represented the Netherlands at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, wearing the number three jersey.

Career His football-career started at Wageningen and De Graafschap Doetinchem. He was bought by Ajax Amsterdam by leaving Ajax-coach Rinus Michels at the end of the 1975/1976 season. He went to Ajax summer 1976, simultaneously with Hans Erkens and Johan Zuidema and has been by far the most successful of the 3 midfielders, their first Ajax-coach being Tomislav Ivic. Schoenaker displayed unbridled energy at the midfield, a rumbled ability to run, the vigour as attacking midfielder to disturb players of the opponent (defensive work) sometimes reconquering balls, achieved a high quote in scored goals per match and had been a very sporting player.

Schoenaker was captain of Ajax during the 1983–1984 and 1984–1985 seasons.

European successes were scarce during this period; the two best achievements were: a semi-final finish in the European Champions Cup during the 1979–80 season, and a quarter-final finish in the European Champions Cup I during the 1977–78 season. During the 1978–79 season Ajax was eliminated in the 3rd round of UEFA Cup, and during the 1984–85 season Red Boys Differdange was beaten 14–0 (return match 1st round UEFA Cup), a Dutch record, but in the 2nd round of that tournament Ajax was eliminated.

In the summer of 1985, Schoenaker went to play for FC Twente, where he ended his career.

Schoenaker obtained a total number of thirteen caps, scoring six goals.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Schoenaker goal.

Honours Ajax Eredivisie: 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85 KNVB Cup: 1978-79, 1982-83; runner-up: 1977-78, 1978-80, 1980-81

Netherlands FIFA World Cup: runner-up 1978