'Above all, a great friend'

PSV Eindhoven coach Sef Vergoossen spoke of a man who was "great in many ways" as Dutch football paid its tributes to Mathieu Sprengers, who has died aged 69.

Sense of humour
The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) president passed away after a short illness on Sunday, leaving his many friends and colleagues in Dutch football in shock. A football administrator known for his generosity and sense of humour, 'Jeu' Sprengers became famous in Dutch football as chairman of VVV Venlo, where Vergoossen worked under him from 1981 to 1989.

Eased tension
"He was great in many ways - a great friend above all," said the PSV coach. "He said memorable things like 'thinking was invented for the poor', by which he meant that if you don't have money you have to be smart. And with a poor club like VVV we earned promotion. Whenever there was a discussion, he could ease the tension with one of his remarks. He was someone with huge qualities."

'A huge loss'
His colleagues at the KNVB were quick to attest to that. Henk Kesler, the association's head of professional football, said: "His death is a huge loss for everyone at the KNVB." Secretary general Harry Been added: "It is almost impossible to describe how very important he has been for Dutch football, at national level and international level. With his optimism, it was really great working with him."

Business career
Never much of a player - he joked that his friends "only allowed him to play with them because he owned a ball" - the future UEFA treasurer and UEFA Executive Committee member was born in Tegelen, now part of Venlo, on 24 May 1938. He earned a business degree from the University of Tilburg and ended up spending 20 years as chief executive of a construction firm.

Famous quote
He started working in football as treasurer of VVV in 1976 and was club chairman between 1980 and 1990, making his name with Dutch fans with the memorable quote "At VVV we only worry when the beer barrels start to run dry". The club were among the first to respond to news of their former chairman's death, with a minute's silence being observed before Sunday's early game against AZ Alkmaar.

'Positive outlook'
Hai Berden, the present VVV chairman, said: "I didn't only know him through football, but also privately. Jeu always had a positive outlook on things. His name meant something in football. At VVV we are proud he was our chairman for ten years and we will remember Jeu Sprengers the man as a good friend forever." Respectful silences were observed at all the later games in the Netherlands on Sunday.

Disputes resolved
Having served on the KNVB's finance and licensing committees, he became president in 1993, succeeding another distinguished administrator and former UEFA treasurer, Jo van Marle. During his time as chairman he resolved disputes between professional and amateur sections and forged strong relationships with the Dutch government, underlining football's importance as a social force.

Notable occasions
Strong relations with the Surinam Football Union, the development of football for the disabled and the launch of a Dutch women's league were among the innovations he oversaw and, during his the course of his tenure, the Netherlands co-hosted UEFA EURO 2000™ as well as the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Dutch stadiums also hosted the 1998 UEFA Champions League final and the 2002 and 2006 UEFA Cup finals.