Van der Elst received the trophy for his impressive career. He played 615 matches for Club Brugge as a midfielder and was a Red Devil. After his playing career, Van der Elst became a trainer at Lokeren and Roeselare, among others. To this day he is still active in the football world as an analyst for television.
The former Red Devil originally comes from the Pajottenland, but he has now lived in Bruges for 41 years. He is therefore proud that he was able to win the trophy. “I didn’t think I would ever win another trophy. I am pleasantly surprised and think it is an honor that I now also have a place on that beautiful honors list.”