Arjan van Heusden

Arjan van Heusden (born 11 December 1972) is a Dutch former professional football goalkeeper who played much of his career in the English Football League.

Arjan van Heusden

Personal information
Full name	Arjan van Heusden[1]
Date of birth	(1972-12-11) 11 December 1972
Place of birth	Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1993–1994	VV Noordwijk
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1998	Port Vale	27	(0)
1997	→ Oxford United (loan)	11	(0)
1998–2000	Cambridge United	42	(0)
2000–2002	Exeter City	74	(0)
2002	Mansfield Town	5	(0)
2002–2005	Torquay United	47	(0)
Total		206	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Van Heusden began his career in his native Netherlands with VV Noordwijk, moving to England in December 1993 for a trial with Port Vale, signing permanently in May 1994 for a fee of £4,500.[2] He joined up with fellow Dutchman Robin van der Laan, who had already established himself in John Rudge's squad. However Van Heusden failed to dislodge the ever-reliable Paul Musselwhite and so joined Oxford United on loan in September 1997, playing 11 league games.

In August 1998 he moved to Cambridge United on a free transfer. He played 42 league games before moving to Exeter City in August 2000. After stalling on Exeter's offer of a fresh contract in April 2002[3] he signed within the club's ten-day limit,[4] though this failed to put an end to speculation over his future.[5]

In August 2002 he joined Scottish side Clyde on a short-term deal, before returning to England to play for Mansfield Town the following month as Mansfield were in the midst of a goalkeeping injury crisis.[6] In November 2002 he joined Torquay United, initially on non-contract terms, later signing a longer contract after establishing himself as the first choice keeper.[7] He struggled with injury in the 2004–05 season and subsequently retired from professional football and returned to the Netherlands where he resumed his playing career with FC Lisse.

Statistics

Source:[8][9]

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Port Vale	1994–95	First Division	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	1995–96	First Division	7	0	0	0	2	0	9	0
	1996–97	First Division	13	0	0	0	4	0	17	0
	1997–98	First Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		27	0	0	0	6	0	33	0
Oxford United (loan)	1997–98	First Division	11	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
Cambridge United	1998–99	Third Division	27	0	0	0	7	0	34	0
	1999–2000	Second Division	15	0	1	0	3	0	19	0
	Total		42	0	1	0	10	0	53	0
Exeter City	2000–01	Third Division	41	0	1	0	1	0	43	0
	2001–02	Third Division	33	0	3	0	2	0	38	0
	Total		74	0	4	0	3	0	81	0
Mansfield Town	2002–03	Second Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Torquay United	2002–03	Third Division	15	0	1	0	0	0	16	0
	2003–04	Third Division	25	0	1	0	1	0	27	0
	2004–05	League One	7	0	0	0	2	0	9	0
	Total		47	0	2	0	3	0	52	0
Career total			206	0	7	0	24	0	237	0

References

1. "Arjan van Heusden". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
2. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 297. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
3. "Grecians begin clear-out". BBC Sport. 27 April 2002. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
4. "Van Heusden stays". BBC Sport. 14 May 2002. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
5. "Van Heusden eyes exit". BBC Sport. 20 August 2002. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
6. Oliver, Pete (26 September 2002). "Van Heusden joins Stags". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
7. "Boardley earns Gulls deal". BBC Sport. 30 September 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
8. Arjan van Heusden at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
9. Arjan van Heusden at Soccerbase