Name: Jeroen Boere
In his 1990s prime for: West Ham United
Lowdown: Boere was a Dutch striker signed by Billy Bonds in the summer of 1993 to help West Ham adapt to their first season in the Premier League. A tall player, Boere had scored regularly for VVV-Venlo and Go Ahead Eagles before the move.
Boere made an inauspicious start to his West Ham career, getting himself sent off on debut in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. In truth, his time at West Ham never got off the ground. Although he stayed at the club for two years, he made only 25 league appearances and scored six league goals.
During his time in England, Boere went on loan to Portsmouth and West Brom, and then joined Crystal Palace and then Southend United on permanent deals.
Now: After leaving England, Boere ended up playing in Japan, but unfortunately was attacked in a district of Tokyo, was stabbed in his left eye and forced to retire from the game. He took over as the landlord of a pub in the East End, and moved to Spain after the lease ended.
Tragically, Boere was found dead in his apartment in Marbella in August 2007.
