“Wheel of tongue, sharp of mind”: Anderlecht says goodbye to Gilbert ‘Gille’ Van Binst

RSC Anderlecht: “A special player that the Park will never forget.”

Gille Van Binst has spent most of his career in a purple and white shirt. The Brussels club has responded to the death of the defender. “It is with great sadness that RSC Anderlecht has learned of the death of Gilbert – Gille – Van Binst,” the statement begins.

“Gille played in purple and white from the age of fifteen. Made in Neerpede avant la lettre. The attacker was retrained as a defender, and in that role he quickly became a permanent fixture in the great Sporting of the 1970s. For no less than 11 years, the Machelen resident made a name for himself with his monkella laugh at the most beautiful club in the country.”

“Unyielding on the right side of the defense, Gille played 262 games for RSC Anderlecht. During this period he won two titles, four Belgian Cups and two European Super Cups. He also played a key role in the two European Cup Winners’ Cups. In 1976 he lifted the cup as captain after the legendary final against West Ham. In the 1978 European Cup II against Austria Wien, he shared the goals for the Purple & White with that other lamented legend. 4-0 Sporting. Him and Robbie, two each.”

“Gille was one of a kind. On the defensive, but always looking forward. Wheel of tongue, sharp of mind. A special player that the Park will never forget. The Purple & White wishes his loved ones much courage.”