Wim Woudsma (born Willem Woudsma, 11 August 1957 – 23 May 2019) was a Dutch professional footballer known for a long and steady career as a defender. Born in Nijverdal, Overijssel, he became a familiar figure in Dutch club football through his lengthy service to a single team and later contributions as a coach at local level.

Club career

Woudsma established himself at Go Ahead Eagles, making his senior debut in the mid-1970s. He remained with the club from 1976 until 1989, a period during which the Eagles competed in both the Eredivisie (the top tier of Dutch football) and the Eerste Divisie (the second tier). Woudsma was primarily a defensive player valued for his reliability and availability: he amassed 430 competitive appearances for Go Ahead Eagles, the second-highest total in the club's recorded history. For the 1989–90 season he spent his final professional campaign with N.E.C., after which he retired from the professional ranks.

Playing style and role

As a defender Woudsma was regarded as consistent and hardworking rather than flashy. Contemporary accounts and later recollections emphasise his positional sense, disciplined tackling and determination. He was often deployed where the team needed defensive reinforcement and provided an experienced presence in the back line. His longevity at one club made him an emblematic example of a locally rooted professional who contributed to a club's identity over many seasons.

Coaching and community involvement

After his professional career Woudsma remained active in football at grassroots level. He worked as a youth coach with his longtime club, helping to train and mentor younger players, and also managed or assisted several amateur sides in the region. His move into coaching followed a common path for former professionals who wish to pass on experience and remain involved with the local football community.

Death and remembrance

Woudsma died on 23 May 2019 in his hometown of Nijverdal after a long illness. He was 61. His death was marked by supporters and former teammates who remembered his commitment to Go Ahead Eagles and his steady contributions on and off the pitch. Memorials and club communications at the time underlined his status as one of the Eagles' most persistent and loyal players.

Notable facts

  • Long-standing association with Go Ahead Eagles, where he spent the bulk of his career (1976–1989).
  • Made 430 competitive appearances for the club, the second-most in their records.
  • Played in both the Eredivisie and the Eerste Divisie during his playing career.
  • Completed his final professional season with N.E.C. in 1989–90 before retiring from professional play.
  • Worked as a youth coach and at amateur level after retiring, contributing to grassroots football in his home region.

Woudsma's career is remembered as an example of professional steadiness and local commitment: a defender who combined durability on the field with later service to youth and amateur football in the Netherlands. For supporters of the Eagles and for those who follow Dutch club history he remains a representative figure of the era when long-serving players helped define a club's character.

Further reading and contemporary reports on his career and passing were published by local and national Dutch sports outlets at the time; club archives and supporter histories also record his place in Go Ahead Eagles' appearance records.