Eddy Hamel

As a youth, he played for Amsterdamsche FC (AFC). He played for AFC Ajax from 1922 until 1930. He appeared in 125 matches as a right winger, and scoring 8 goals. Die-hard Ajax supporters call themselves "Joden" – Dutch for "Jews" – a nickname that reflects both the team's and the city's Jewish heritage. This nickname for Ajax fans dates back to before World War II, when Amsterdam was home to most of the Netherlands' 140,000 Jews. Hamel became a first team regular for Ajax. He was the first Jewish player (as well as the first American) to play for first team Ajax. To date, only six other Jewish soccer players have followed in his footsteps – Johnny Roeg, Bennie Muller, Sjaak Swart, Rolf Leeser, Daniël de Ridder and Ilan Boccara. Hamel was a fan favorite, and was cited by pre-World War II club legend Wim Anderiesen as part of the strongest line-up he ever played with. He had his own fan club in the 1920s, which would line up on his side of the field at the beginning of every game, and then switch sides to be on his side of the field in the second half. After his retirement as a player, Hamel managed Alcmaria Victrix for three years and continued to play in an Ajax veteran squad.