Folkert Velten (born 25 August 1964) is a Dutch former professional football player and coach. A forward, he spent most of his career with Heracles Almelo.[2]
After playing amateur football for Enter Vooruit, he turned professional at the age of 23 after signing with Heracles Almelo.[3] He had previously been offered a contract by the club at the age of 18, but he declined as matches were played on Sundays and this conflicted with his Christian beliefs.[4] Between 1988 and 1997 he scored 221 goals in 377 games for the club.[3] The club moved their games to Saturdays so he could play.[4] He was top scorer in the Eerste Divisie in 1989.[3] He retired from playing after breaking his leg.[3]
Later life
After working as a scout for Heracles, he became a football coach, managing amateur team VV Bergentheim in 2008.[3] In 2012, he worked in the maintenance department at a petting zoo in Enter, and was coach of amateur team Blauw Wit'66.[5]
Personal life
A practising Christian, Velten refused to play football on Sundays.[3] A member of the Dutch Reformed Church, as a child his father wanted him to go to church twice on Sundays.[4] Velten only went once, in the morning, because he would watch and play football in the evening with his siblings.[4]
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