Jan Kok 1889 – 1958

Biography

Jan Kok was born on July 9, 1889, in Surabaya, a vibrant port city in the Dutch East Indies. His early life in this distant corner of the Dutch colonial world would shape the man he would become. Though born far from the Netherlands, Kok’s name would eventually become known in Dutch sporting circles, where he made his mark as a footballer during a formative era of the sport.

As a footballer, Kok participated in the game during its golden age of development in the early twentieth century, when organized sport was still establishing itself as a central part of European culture. His career reflected the passion and dedication that characterized athletes of his generation. The details of his playing career remain a testament to his commitment to the sport he loved.

Kok spent his final years in Zeist, a town in the province of Utrecht in the central Netherlands. He lived a full life spanning nearly seven decades, witnessing enormous changes across Europe and the world. Jan Kok passed away on December 2, 1958, leaving behind a legacy as part of Dutch football’s pioneering generation.