**
Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke has been making waves both on and off the pitch, recently securing a double accolade as the Player of the Year, awarded by both fans and teammates. His journey to becoming a leader at the club has been marked by resilience and a growing ability to connect with supporters.
Van Hecke said: “I am trying to and of course you always need to find the right time. I think I am getting better over the years. Hopefully, I can keep improving in that because I think it is a good thing.”
Van Hecke’s leadership qualities were put to the test recently when he suffered a head injury during a match against Brentford, which left him momentarily sidelined. Despite the initial concern, he made a swift recovery, crediting the medical team for their support.
Van Hecke said: “It was quite bad in the first few days. To be honest I was kind of worried in the first few days. I was not feeling well and had headaches and was feeling tired. After six or seven days I felt better and really thank you to the doctors because they helped me a lot. They also said, ‘Everything is going to be all right’ so that was also good for my confidence.”
Upon his return to training, van Hecke demonstrated his determination to overcome challenges, even when advised against heading the ball. His confidence quickly returned, much to the surprise of his teammates.
Van Hecke said: “Not really. I was back in training and the manager said I couldn’t head the ball. But the doctor told me I could. The first ball came in and I was like, ‘Boom!’, heading the ball and everyone was like, ‘Woah, what is he doing?’. But I was like ‘l’m all right’ and the confidence was back so everyone was also sure I was good.”
Van Hecke’s influence extends beyond the field. He has taken on a prominent role in post-match celebrations and has been vocal during challenging times, such as the heavy defeat at Nottingham Forest. His gratitude towards the club’s staff, expressed during his acceptance speech, highlights his appreciation for those working behind the scenes.
Van Hecke said: “I think management mentioned it as well. It is about some people, who are in the shadow but they are even more important because otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”
As van Hecke continues to develop his leadership skills, both his teammates and fans are witnessing the emergence of a player who embodies resilience and gratitude, qualities that are invaluable to Brighton’s team dynamic.
