Julien Cools

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Julien Cools (born February 13, 1947) was a Belgian football player who won the Belgian Golden Shoe in 1977 while at Club Brugge. Discovered as a junior at SK Retie Branddonk of Antwerp and made his name with Beringen FC. Signed by FC Bruges in 1973 where his reputation for non-stop running in the midfield made him an international regular. Helped FC Bruges to the Belgian league titles in 1975-76,76-77 and 77-78 plus the Belgian Cup in 1977. In Europe Cools was a runner-up in the 1976 U.E.F.A.Cup Final and 1978 European Cup Final ,Bruges loosing both finals to Liverpool. Rated by World Soccer Magazine as Bruges` best player in that 1978 Final. At 32 Cools left Bruges to join Beerschot where he enjoyed a new lease of life ,becoming Captain of the national team. At the 1980 European Championship in Italy Cools played in all four of Belgium`s games including the Final where they lost to West Germany. He was capped 35 times and scored 2 goals for the Belgian national team.