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Mühren and Thijssen Back at Town
Mühren and Thijssen Back at Town
Friday, 11th Sep 2015 10:48

Town's Dutch legends Arnold Mühren and Frans Thijssen will be back at Portman Road for the Blues’ home game against Bristol City on September 26th.

The 1981 UEFA Cup-winning duo will be returning to Suffolk for a feature for a special issue of the famous Dutch football magazine Voetbal International focusing on English football.

Editor-in-chief Tom van Hulsen, a Town supporter, told TWTD that the pair played an important role in establishing Dutch footballers in English football.

“Arnold Mühren and Frans Thijssen were only the fourth and fifth Dutch players who left Holland to play for an English club,” he said. “They paved the way in our country for many others.

“Thanks to them, Dutch football and Dutch footballers became well known in England because of their technical skills.

“As far as I know, they changed the football of Ipswich as well. Mick Mills told me last year that before their arrival Ipswich played kick and rush.

“Arnold and Frans asked the ball in midfield, never lost the ball and collaborated well with the forwards. With full support of Bobby Robson, of course.”

Thijssen, 63, who was interim head coach of Australian side the Brisbane Roar until June, was back at Town last summer to promote the return to adidas, the Blues’ kit manufacturer during their time at the club, but it’s some years since Mühren, 64, last returned to Portman Road.


Photo: Action Images



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Paddy39 added 10:52 - Sep 11
Good to see them back.
3

leitrimblue added 11:00 - Sep 11
Absolute legends
6

PJH added 11:01 - Sep 11
Two true "greats" of ITFC.
4

yorksblue added 11:30 - Sep 11
There's only Two flying Dutchmen
2

yorksblue added 11:33 - Sep 11
All you youngsters, who didn't have the privilege of watching these two, should get on youtube or watch some dvd footage. An absolute joy to watch.
2

rfretwell added 12:22 - Sep 11
FANTASTIC - Frans and Arnie were the real deal. True international class who really made the footballing world sit up and take notice of our small town club. Arnie would ping a 40 yard pass to Mariner etc on a plate, hookfoot Frans was unrobbable if that's a word! Both were several cuts above Brian Talbots relentless running and midfield aggression though he was a very good British style midfielder of course and a local lad too. Are they doing a legends question and answer session after the Bristol City match?
2

TractorRoyNo1 added 12:22 - Sep 11
I loved watching every minute of them at Portman Road, but my best memory was a mid week match - league cup? - at Carra Ruud, when they were untouchable.
1

legoman added 12:55 - Sep 11
Frans was an instant hit whereas Arnie took time for the players to gel to his style. They were the most pivotal moment that turned us from a great team into a worlds best team imo.

They made me purrr.
1

itfc1981 added 14:45 - Sep 11
They did East Anglia proud.
2

truckerblue added 14:49 - Sep 11
They must've got cheap tickets from a season ticket holder!!! Wouldn't mind them in our team now!!
2

BlueBadger added 14:51 - Sep 11
If this headline had been made in the Jewell years it's because he would have been trying to sign them up to the playing staff..
1

BlueBadger added 14:51 - Sep 11
..on loan.
1

cornishnick added 14:56 - Sep 11
Arnie's 64? God, that makes me feel old!
1

LesTibbetsbrokenleg added 15:13 - Sep 11
A wonderfully stylish couple of football players, that helped provide so many moments of delight for me whilst watching the super blues as a young boy. Great to hear they're back, albeit briefly, get your boots on lads!!
1

soclopath added 15:52 - Sep 11
Frans my all time player,it was not until years after he returned home I found his family lived close to my daughter-in- law who was friends with his children.No mansions for top players in those days just a modest family home in Kesgrave.
1

Seasider added 17:11 - Sep 11
Memories,so many especially with Frans and Arnold,not forgetting Alan Brazil,Eric gates,Terry Butcher,Russell Osman,Paul Cooper.Mick Mills and Paul Mariner,and a little earlier George Burley and Bacon and Eggs!!!
0

armchaircritic59 added 17:12 - Sep 11
Oh, happy days! Two wonderful and contrasting players. Arnie with his brilliant range of (very accurate) passing. Then my all time favourite Town player Frans, who seemingly could run with the ball glued to his boot! (not unlike a certain little Argentinian). Very rarely did anyone get the ball off him. Was a privilege to watch them. Put them in todays side and they could hand us the championship trophy now!
0

happybeingblue added 17:31 - Sep 11
these guys were pure quality! never forget arnie getting the winner v forest fa cup 6th rd up the churchmans end, unfortunately we lost to city in the semi final. true itfc legends
1

therein61 added 18:35 - Sep 11
I wish they were both 25 and in a blue shirt again, oh well an old man can dream!! the memories of these two playing for town are ones to behold, the best for me was Frans nutmegging Souness at portman road and Souness running around(and failing) like a headless chicken trying to nail him!!! happy days C.O.Y.B
0

warktheline added 18:38 - Sep 11
Those were the days! LEGENDS . Thanks for all the magic memories lads.
0


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