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Willy Dullens

Dutch footballer (1945–2024)

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Willy Dullens

Dullens in 1966
Personal information
Date of birth	(1945-01-29)29 January 1945
Place of birth	Urmond, Netherlands
Date of death	16 June 2024(2024-06-16) (aged 79)
Place of death	Sittard, Netherlands
Height	1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1963–1968	RKSV Sittardia	104	(33)
International career
1966	Netherlands	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Willy Dullens (29 January 1945 – 16 June 2024) was a Dutch footballer who played for RKSV Sittardia and the Netherlands national team but his career was cut short due to injury. In 1966, uniquely while playing in the Eerste Divisie, he was chosen as the Dutch Footballer of the Year.^[1][2][3][4]

Dullens and Johan Cruijff were seen as the biggest talents of Dutch football in the 1960's. Cruijff said that Dullens was more skilled than him. After Dullens was forced to retire, Cruijff and Sjaak Swart organised a charity match for him. The match, between AFC Ajax and Alemannia Aachen at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, was attended by 60,000 spectators.^[5]

Dullens played four matches for the Dutch national team, all in 1966. He made his debut in a 3-1 victory over Belgium. He also played in a 3-0 victory over Scotland and in a 1-2 loss to Czechoslovakia, both friendly matches. Dullens played his final cap in November 1966, a Euro 1968 qualifying match against Denmark (2-0 victory).

After retiring Dullens opened a salon.^[6]

Dullens was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2021.^[7] He died on 16 June 2024, at the age of 79.^[8][9]

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