Maurice Vandendriessche

Maurice Vandendriessche (2 April 1887 – 18 November 1959) was a French footballer who played as a midfielder for RC Roubaix and the French national team.

Early life Vandendriessche was born in Lille on 2 April 1887, as the eighth child in a family of eleven, to a Belgian father, a carpenter, and a French mother. Therefore, he had the choice between the two nationalities, but as long as he was still a minor, which at the time was aged 21, he was French by assimilation. Two years later, he won his second USFSA national title in 1908, this time beating RC de France 2–1 in the final on 3 May.

On 2 April 1908, Vandendriessche turned 21 years of age, thus becoming an adult and opting for Belgian nationality, which was odd since he worked for a French employer (Caulliez) in France, married a French woman in France, and never lived in Belgium. In November 1925, the French newspaper Le Miroir des sports stated that he was "one of the best footballers in France before the War".

Playing style Vandendriessche practiced athletics in the summers, specializing in the 110 metres hurdles, and his speed allowed him to excel at the wings. He was described by the reports of the time as "energetic, fast, and skillful", and the chronicles of the time specify several times how he rarely missed a ball, which was precious back in a time when ball control, or the precision of passes, even short ones, were not taken for granted.

Later life His name is so complicated for the Australians that they call him "Vandle", who attempted to set up a tour of Europe for the Australians, and even tried to convince them to participate in the 1930 FIFA World Cup, but Australia did not succeed in creating a federation uniting its different states (Australia has 6, plus Tasmania), and was not affiliated to FIFA.

Death Vandendriessche died in Melbourne, Australia, on 18 November 1959, at the age of 72.

Honours RC Roubaix USFSA Football Championship: 1906, 1908

Belgium Journées du Poilu Sportif: 1916