Michael Mols
Encyclopedia
Michael Alexander Mols is a retired Dutch
footballer, who played as a striker.
to Indo (Eurasian) parents, Mols, a product of local AFC Ajax's youth system, never appeared officially for its first team, making his professional debuts in the second division
, with Cambuur Leeuwarden, which he helped obtain promotion
in 1992. Early into the following year, he signed with another first-divisioner, FC Twente
, continuing to score regularly with this and his following club, FC Utrecht.
In the 1999 summer, Mols signed with Scottish
giants Rangers
. Mols made a tremendous start at Rangers, scoring nine goals in his first nine Scottish Premier League
matches. He scored twice in a 4–1 win against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and scored four goals against Motherwell
, who had former Ranger Andy Goram
in goal. However, during a UEFA Champions League clash against FC Bayern Munich
, he collided with opposing goalkeeper Oliver Kahn
, which resulted in a serious knee
injury.
In the following years, Mols endured a tough rehabilitation process, eventually recovering fully and scoring 13 times in 27 matches during the 2002–03 championship-winning season, which earned him a one-year extension in his contract. In December 2002, he notably scored the winner in the Old Firm
contest against Celtic
(3–2), and left club and country in June 2004, having collected a total of seven titles.
After an unassuming year with Utrecht, Mols signed with ADO Den Haag
, where he played two seasons and netted eight league goals combined. At the end of 2006–07, as his side relegated to the second division, he decided to retire, at almost 37.
However, he later reconsidered; after an unsuccessful trial with Australia
n club Perth Glory FC
, he signed a one-year deal with Feyenoord Rotterdam, as cover for also recently signed Roy Makaay
. He retired for good at the end of 2008–09 (18 matches, two goals).
for Holland
, the first coming in 1995.
Feyenoord:
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer, who played as a striker.
Club career
Born in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to Indo (Eurasian) parents, Mols, a product of local AFC Ajax's youth system, never appeared officially for its first team, making his professional debuts in the second division
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
, with Cambuur Leeuwarden, which he helped obtain promotion
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
in 1992. Early into the following year, he signed with another first-divisioner, FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, continuing to score regularly with this and his following club, FC Utrecht.
In the 1999 summer, Mols signed with Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
giants Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Mols made a tremendous start at Rangers, scoring nine goals in his first nine Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
matches. He scored twice in a 4–1 win against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and scored four goals against Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, who had former Ranger Andy Goram
Andy Goram
Andrew Lewis Goram is a former Scotland international association football goalkeeper. He started his career with Oldham Athletic and Hibernian, but he is best remembered for playing for Rangers during the 1990s, when he earned the moniker "The Goalie"...
in goal. However, during a UEFA Champions League clash against FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, he collided with opposing goalkeeper Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn
Oliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
, which resulted in a serious knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury.
In the following years, Mols endured a tough rehabilitation process, eventually recovering fully and scoring 13 times in 27 matches during the 2002–03 championship-winning season, which earned him a one-year extension in his contract. In December 2002, he notably scored the winner in the Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
contest against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
(3–2), and left club and country in June 2004, having collected a total of seven titles.
After an unassuming year with Utrecht, Mols signed with ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
, where he played two seasons and netted eight league goals combined. At the end of 2006–07, as his side relegated to the second division, he decided to retire, at almost 37.
However, he later reconsidered; after an unsuccessful trial with Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n club Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
, he signed a one-year deal with Feyenoord Rotterdam, as cover for also recently signed Roy Makaay
Roy Makaay
Rudolphus "Roy" Antonius Makaay is a retired Dutch footballer. While playing for Bayern Munich he picked up the nickname Das Phantom , for his ability to score out of nowhere.-Career:...
. He retired for good at the end of 2008–09 (18 matches, two goals).
International career
During a four-year span, Mols won six capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Holland
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, the first coming in 1995.
Honours
Rangers:- Scottish LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 1999–2000, 2002–03 - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03 - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 2001–02, 2002–03
Feyenoord:
- Dutch CupKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
: 2007–08