Today at 4:50 PM • Updated today at 5:21 PM
Jan Vioen, Willem II’s club doctor for many years, has passed away at the age of 86. He had been associated with the Tilburg club since 1972 and fulfilled various roles during that period, including that of chairman. Willem II reports this.
Jan Vioen, called “Doc” by many, started in 1972 as medical supervisor of the selection of Willem II. Two years later he became club doctor. He did this in addition to his work as a general practitioner in Berkel-Enschot. In 1977 he became chairman of the club, a position he combined for five years with his work as club doctor.
Great appreciation
Vioen received much recognition for his work with Willem II. In 1996 he was appointed honorary member and in 2003 he was decorated as Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. He also received several awards, including the Silver Leg Medal from Tilburg in 2012, on the occasion of his fortieth anniversary as club doctor.
His farewell in 2015, during a home match against ADO Den Haag, had a special touch. An ‘injury’ to player Mitchell Dijks gave Vioen the opportunity to run onto the field one more time. Afterwards he was carried through the stadium on a throne by the selection.
Although he officially retired as club doctor, Vioen remained a loyal supporter of Willem II. Until his death he was a regular guest at competitions. William II announces that the club has lost an icon.
