by Jake Polden
Most footballers these days are perceived as under-worked, over-paid and ostentatious. The idea of them having an opinion on, or experience with, caravans is somewhat hard to believe.
That implied extravagance however was a million miles away from a young Jean-Marie Pfaff, who grew up as one of 11 siblings living in a caravan.
Speaking fondly of his childhood, Pfaff recently told UEFA: “Caravan park people are fantastic. We had a happy life with my brothers and sisters. Caravan park people seek contact with others, they are very social.
“The cosiness, love, friendship, working together, living together, playing a game together and taking care of each other – it was one big happy family.”
Losing his father at the age of just 11 shattered the happy image somewhat, but Pfaff recalls how this inspired him to become the best goalkeeper in the country.
Starting his career at local team KSK Beveren, Pfaff quickly established himself as first-choice and subsequently led the team to league and domestic cup success.
Transferring to German giants Bayern Munich, where Pfaff won three Bundesliga titles, resulted in his country taking note and making him their number one, just in time for the 1986 World Cup.
It was in this tournament that Pfaff would really make a name for himself – denying a strong Spanish team with a safe pair of hands in a penalty shoot-out – before seeing his team crash out to one of the best Argentine teams in history.
Returning home a hero, Pfaff was given the nickname ‘El Simpático’ (Mr Nice Guy) on account of his smile and friendly persona – an innocence he clearly never lost from his days living in a caravan.
