Raymond Braine
Encyclopedia
Raymond Ernest Michel Braine (28 April 1907 – 25 December 1978) was one of the most talented and respected Belgian
football
strikers. He was also the first Belgian professional player, when he obtained a transfer to Sparta Prague in 1930.
Braine played in 54 matches for the Belgium national football team and scored 26 times, making him Belgium's 5th top all-time scorer.
in Antwerp. Braine made his Belgian Championship
debut on 11 February 1923 against Daring Club de Bruxelles
(lost 3-0). He scored 4 times in 4 appearances that season and Beerschot finished second. Raymond's brother, Pierre
, was also part of the team. The next year, Braine obtained his first trophy by earning a Championship title. Three more titles followed in 1925, 1926 and 1928.
At the time, the Belgian football
was not a professional club. However, certain players did receive money (unofficially) based on performance. Some other players supplemented their incomes by opening cafés. At one point the Belgian Football Association
published a paper stating:
"Considering it is important to stop the progression of player-café owners, the executive Committee takes the decision that at this day, except for a player whose parents ran the café for more than 5 years, the authorisation to open a café will be subordinated to the condition that the player will not be a part of the first team."
Braine, who just opened a café in December 1929, decided to go and play abroad. His first attempt was in England
with London side Clapton Orient, but he could not obtain a work permit. He signed a lucrative contract in 1930 with Sparta Prague and subsequently became the first Belgian professional player. Braine won two championship titles and finished as top scorer twice with Sparta Prague. His skill earned him a selection for the first World Cup
held in Uruguay
.
Before the 1934 World Cup
, Braine had received an offer of 100,000 Koruna
from the Czechoslovak FA
to become a citizen of Czechoslovakia
which he refused. Afterwards, Czechoslovakia lost the final game to Italy
. He came back to Beerschot in 1937 and won the Championship twice again. This time, he played in the 1938 World Cup
.
In 1943, Braine was transferred to C.S. La Forestoise as a defender
for one season, a team that had just been promoted the year before to the first division
, because of the War
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
strikers. He was also the first Belgian professional player, when he obtained a transfer to Sparta Prague in 1930.
Braine played in 54 matches for the Belgium national football team and scored 26 times, making him Belgium's 5th top all-time scorer.
Career highlights
His first club was BeerschotK. Beerschot V.A.C.
Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
in Antwerp. Braine made his Belgian Championship
Jupiler League
The Belgian Pro League is the top league competition for association football clubs in Belgium. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian Second Division...
debut on 11 February 1923 against Daring Club de Bruxelles
R. Daring Club Molenbeek
Royal Daring Club Molenbeek was a football team from the city of Brussels, Belgium until 1973. It was created in 1895 as Daring Club de Bruxelles and was the second club to register to the Belgian Football Association , but it was admitted to the league only in 1903.-History:Until 1899, the team...
(lost 3-0). He scored 4 times in 4 appearances that season and Beerschot finished second. Raymond's brother, Pierre
Pierre Braine
Pierre E. E. Braine was a Belgian international footballer. A midfielder, he played club football for Beerschot VAC between 1919 and 1933. He also represented Belgium at the 1928 Summer Olympics and 1930 FIFA World Cup....
, was also part of the team. The next year, Braine obtained his first trophy by earning a Championship title. Three more titles followed in 1925, 1926 and 1928.
At the time, the Belgian football
Football in Belgium
Football, a sport which has been played in Belgium since the end of the 19th century, is that country's most popular sport. The national association was founded in 1895 with the intention of bringing some order and organization to the sport...
was not a professional club. However, certain players did receive money (unofficially) based on performance. Some other players supplemented their incomes by opening cafés. At one point the Belgian Football Association
Belgian Football Association
The Royal Belgian Football Association is the governing body of football in Belgium...
published a paper stating:
"Considering it is important to stop the progression of player-café owners, the executive Committee takes the decision that at this day, except for a player whose parents ran the café for more than 5 years, the authorisation to open a café will be subordinated to the condition that the player will not be a part of the first team."
Braine, who just opened a café in December 1929, decided to go and play abroad. His first attempt was in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with London side Clapton Orient, but he could not obtain a work permit. He signed a lucrative contract in 1930 with Sparta Prague and subsequently became the first Belgian professional player. Braine won two championship titles and finished as top scorer twice with Sparta Prague. His skill earned him a selection for the first World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
held in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
.
Before the 1934 World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
, Braine had received an offer of 100,000 Koruna
Czechoslovak koruna
The Czechoslovak koruna was the currency of Czechoslovakia from April 10, 1919 to March 14, 1939 and from November 1, 1945 to February 7, 1993...
from the Czechoslovak FA
Football Association of the Czech Republic
The Football Association of the Czech Republic or colloquially the Czech Football Association is the governing body of football in the Czech Republic, based in Prague. It organizes the football leagues, Czech Liga and Czech 2. Liga, and the Czech Republic national football team...
to become a citizen of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
which he refused. Afterwards, Czechoslovakia lost the final game to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. He came back to Beerschot in 1937 and won the Championship twice again. This time, he played in the 1938 World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
.
In 1943, Braine was transferred to C.S. La Forestoise as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for one season, a team that had just been promoted the year before to the first division
Jupiler League
The Belgian Pro League is the top league competition for association football clubs in Belgium. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian Second Division...
, because of the War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Club honours
- Belgian League - 1924, 1926, 1926, 1928, 1938, 1939
- Czechoslovakia championship - 1932, 1936
- Mitropa CupMitropa CupThe Mitropa Cup, officially called the La Coupe de l'Europe Centrale was one of the first really international major European football cups for club sides...
- 1935
Individual honours
- Belgian League top scorer - 1928, 1929
- Czechoslovakia championship top scorer - 1932, 1934