Danny Boffin
Encyclopedia
Daniel "Danny" Edouward Boffin (born 10 July 1965) is a retired Belgian
footballer who played as a left winger.
During his professional career, which spanned nearly two decades, he played for four clubs in his country - most notably Anderlecht
- and one in France
, appearing in nearly 600 official games as a professional.
Boffin represented Belgium in three World Cups
, the last of which
occurred when he was 37.
, Boffin began playing professionally for local K. Sint-Truidense VV, then in the Belgian Second Division
. After two solid years, he moved to the top level with R.F.C. de Liège
, appearing in European competition
with the club, and also being instrumental as it won its first-ever domestic cup
, in 1990.
At the age of 26, after more than 150 official games for Liège, Boffin signed with national giants R.S.C. Anderlecht
, continuing to be an undisputed starter in his career: in his first two seasons combined, he scored 13 goals, helping lead the Brussels
side to three leagues in a row, as five managers were in charge of the team during his six-year spell. On 8 December 1993, he scored with his (weak) right foot to make it 3–0 at SV Werder Bremen
for the season's UEFA Champions League
, as the Germans
incredibly recovered for the final 5–3.
Boffin moved abroad aged 32, as he signed with French
side FC Metz
, where he was dubbed La mobylette
due to his speed. In his first season, which started on 2 August 1997, with a 1–0 win at Olympique Lyonnais
, he helped his club to a best-ever finish in Ligue 1
, a second place. In spite of his age, he continued to feature regularly for the Lorraine
outfit.
In January 2001, Boffin returned to his first club, helping it always maintain its topflight status, while the player posted the best scoring records of his career, with 11 and 12 goals in two separate seasons; he split his final year, 2003–04, with Sint-Truiden and Standard Liège
, and eventually called it quits at 39 years of age, with totals of - in the Belgian top level alone - 415 games and 67 goals (he still played some amateur football with VV Real Nieuwerkerken).
.
In the following decade, Boffin would be an important offensive member for the Diables Rouges, being selected for three FIFA World Cup
s: 1994
, 1998
and 2002
World Cups, totalling five matches (only a squad member in the latter edition). Aged 35, he was overlooked for UEFA Euro 2000, played on home soil.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
footballer who played as a left winger.
During his professional career, which spanned nearly two decades, he played for four clubs in his country - most notably Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
- and one in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, appearing in nearly 600 official games as a professional.
Boffin represented Belgium in three World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, the last of which
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
occurred when he was 37.
Club career
Born in Sint-TruidenSint-Truiden
Sint-Truiden is a city and municipality located in the province of Limburg, Flemish Region, Belgium, near the towns of Hasselt and Tongeren. The municipality includes the old communes of Aalst, Brustem, Duras, Engelmanshoven, Gelinden, Gorsem, Groot-Gelmen, Halmaal, Kerkom-bij-Sint-Truiden,...
, Boffin began playing professionally for local K. Sint-Truidense VV, then in the Belgian Second Division
Belgian Second Division
The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in the Belgian football league system after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor,...
. After two solid years, he moved to the top level with R.F.C. de Liège
R.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
, appearing in European competition
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
with the club, and also being instrumental as it won its first-ever domestic cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
, in 1990.
At the age of 26, after more than 150 official games for Liège, Boffin signed with national giants R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
, continuing to be an undisputed starter in his career: in his first two seasons combined, he scored 13 goals, helping lead the Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
side to three leagues in a row, as five managers were in charge of the team during his six-year spell. On 8 December 1993, he scored with his (weak) right foot to make it 3–0 at SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
for the season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, as the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
incredibly recovered for the final 5–3.
Boffin moved abroad aged 32, as he signed with French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
side FC Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
, where he was dubbed La mobylette
Mobylette
The Mobylette, sometimes shortened as Moby, is a model of moped manufactured by French manufacturer Motobecane during the second half of the 20th century. The Mobylette was launched in 1949 and was manufactured until 1997 with production number exceeding over 14 million with the 1970s being its...
due to his speed. In his first season, which started on 2 August 1997, with a 1–0 win at Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, he helped his club to a best-ever finish in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, a second place. In spite of his age, he continued to feature regularly for the Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
outfit.
In January 2001, Boffin returned to his first club, helping it always maintain its topflight status, while the player posted the best scoring records of his career, with 11 and 12 goals in two separate seasons; he split his final year, 2003–04, with Sint-Truiden and Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
, and eventually called it quits at 39 years of age, with totals of - in the Belgian top level alone - 415 games and 67 goals (he still played some amateur football with VV Real Nieuwerkerken).
International career
Boffin played 53 matches for the Belgian national team, his debut coming on 23 August 1989, in a 3–0 friendly win with DenmarkDenmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
In the following decade, Boffin would be an important offensive member for the Diables Rouges, being selected for three FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
s: 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and 2002
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
World Cups, totalling five matches (only a squad member in the latter edition). Aged 35, he was overlooked for UEFA Euro 2000, played on home soil.
Honours
- Belgian League: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95
- Belgian CupBelgian CupThe Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
: 1989–90, 1993–94; Runner-up 1996–97, 2002–03 - Belgian SupercupBelgian SupercupThe Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to...
: 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995; Runner-up 1990 - French League CupCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
: Runner-up 1998–99