Richard Sneekes

Richard Sneekes (born 30 October 1968 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch former footballer, who played as a midfielder.

Richard Sneekes
Personal information
Full name Richard Sneekes
Date of birth (1968-10-30) 30 October 1968
Place of birth Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1980–1984 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1989 Ajax 3 (0)
1989–1990 Volendam 31 (7)
1990–1994 Fortuna Sittard 126 (20)
1994 FC Locarno 26 (13)
1994–1996 Bolton Wanderers 71 (11)
1996–2001 West Bromwich Albion 251 (34)
2001 Stockport County 10 (0)
2001–2002 Hull City 25 (0)
2002–2003 Herfølge BK
2007 Hinckley United 3 (0)
2010 Dudley Town 5 (0)
Total 546 (85)
National team
1982–1984 Netherlands Schoolboys 22 (0)
1988–1989 Netherlands U21 2 (0)
Teams managed
2010–2011 Tamworth (academy coach)
2011 Hereford United (First Team Coach)
2014–2016 Rushall Olympic
2016–2018 Sutton Coldfield Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Ajax and Fortuna Sittard

Sneekes started as a Youth player at Ajax Amsterdam, and made 22 appearances for Netherlands National Schoolboys. He made his debut for Ajax at the age of 16, and broke through into the Netherlands U21 team, but never quite fulfilled his potential for the club and was transferred out at the age of 21.

After a short spell at Volendam Sneekes signed for Fortuna Sittard and spent four years at the club after which he moved to FC Locarno in Switzerland before being transferred to England.

Bolton Wanderers

Sneekes first came to prominence in England when he signed for Bolton Wanderers in August 1994 for £200,000. He was part of their team that won promotion to the Premier League that season. Bolton struggled in the Premier League and he was transferred shortly before the end of the season. Whilst at Bolton he played in the 1995 Football League Cup Final.

West Bromwich Albion

Alan Buckley signed the Dutchman for West Bromwich Albion in March 1996 for £400,000. Despite Buckley claiming it would be a while before he made any difference, Sneekes almost immediately became a cult hero at The Hawthorns. Sneekes was an overnight sensation, and many of the Baggies crowd took to wearing long blond wigs - even the club shop was selling them. Sneekes finished his first season with ten goals from thirteen games, arguably for some Albion fans saving them from relegation. Sneekes spent seven seasons at West Brom before finally being transferred at the start of the 2001–02 season. After Sneekes' retirement in 2007, he went on to captain West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands 'Masters' and has done so ever since. He scored in the 2008 and 2011 tournaments.

Stockport, Hull and Herfølge

He moved to Stockport County on a free transfer in September 2001,[1] but stayed just two months[2] before a move to Hull City. That move also didn't work out and he left the latter club in May 2002.[3] A further year was spent with Danish club Herfølge BK, before retiring from the professional game at the age of 34.

Hinckley United

Sneekes was convinced to come out of retirement following a chance meeting with Hinckley United manager Dean Thomas, at the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in July 2007. Sneekes initially trained with the Conference North club, but then decided to sign for them. However his debut was put on hold as his International Clearance was sought after last playing in Denmark.[4] He eventually made his debut in Hinckley's 4-2 FA Cup win over Grantham Town in September 2007. However, a disastrous start for Hinckley United in the league meant that Sneekes was released, after playing only three games for the club, in October 2007.[5] Sneekes immediately went back into retirement, saying "The fact that I was not really enjoying it meant that it became too much of a chore to do it".[6]

Dudley Town

On Monday 27 September 2010, it was revealed in local newspapers that Richard Sneekes had signed for Dudley Town, who play in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division. Richard Sneekes' son, Giorgio also signed for the club in the 2010/2011 season.[7] Richard made his debut in Dudley's 2–2 draw at Shifnal Town on 5 October 2010.

Coaching career

Tamworth

On 29 May 2010, Sneekes was announced as an assistant Academy Coach to Dale Belford where he will be developing Tamworth youth talent.[8]

Hereford United

At 11:15am, 4 July 2011, Sneekes was announced as a First Team Coach at League Two Hereford United, in order to fill the gap left by Dave Kevan who left for Stoke City. It is said that he will look encourage "nice attractive football".[9] He will leave the club once his contract runs out at the end of June.

Rushall Olympic

On 15 May 2014, Sneekes was unveiled as the new manager of Rushall Olympic. This is Sneekes first solo role as manager of a senior club. He will be assisted by Steve Hinks, with CB radio support from Daryl Burgess.[10]

Sutton Coldfield Town

In November 2016 he was named as the new manager of Sutton Coldfield Town, replacing Neil Tooth.

References
  1. "Stockport snap up Sneekes". BBC Sport. 4 September 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  2. "Sneekes in County exit". BBC Sport. 21 November 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  3. "Sneekes leaves Hull". BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  4. "Red tape stops Sneekes". Heartland Evening News. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  5. "Thomas continues with his hitlist". Hinckley United Independent. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  6. Sneekes, Richard (27 October 2007). "Richard Sneekes' column". Albion (West Bromwich Albion Matchday Magazine). CRE8, for West Bromwich Albion. 99 (9): 70–71.
  7. http://www.dudleytownfc.org.uk/news/index.php?id=259
  8. "Lambs add ex-W.B.A. star to Coaching Team". TheLambs.co.uk. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  9. "Bulls Appoint Sneekes As Coach". herefordunited.co.uk. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  10. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/rushallolympic/news/new-managerial-team-announced-1221359.html
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