Gerrit Keizer

Gerard Pieter "Gerrit" Keizer (8 August 1910 – 5 December 1980), also known as Gerard Keyser, was a Dutch footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Keizer was highly successful in Holland whilst playing with AFC Ajax. He was also the original "Flying Dutchman" at English side Arsenal, whom he helped to their first league title in English football.

Club career Keizer joined Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 16, and two years later made his debut for the side, against Stormvogels on 1 April 1929. For the first few years of his career he deputised for Ajax's No. 1 Jan de Boer. In 1930, he made a move to England.

Keizer at first played for Kent side Margate. Keizer was outstanding for Margate, and soon Keizer was spotted by Arsenal's manager, Herbert Chapman. Keizer was at once pitched into Arsenal's first team, and made his club debut against Blackpool on 30 August 1930. He also featured in the Gunners' 2–1 1930 Charity Shield victory over Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to play in Arsenal's first twelve First Division matches of the 1930–31 season. With the Gunners, Keizer went on to win the First Division title of 1930–31. This victory was Arsenal's first ever league title. Charity Shield: 1930 First Division: 1930–31 Ajax Dutch overall champion 1934, 1937, 1939, 1947 NVB Cup 1943 Arol Cup 1934, 1941