Driks, Eli 'golden head'

Eliahu Driks

Driks was an excellent, well built forward who ruled the box throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. He was nicknamed "golden head" for his blonde locks and his legendary heading abilities. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans continue to mourn his retirement, believing that he has never been adequately replaced.

Driks is 15th all time on the Israel League scorers list with 128 goals. He also appeared in 24 international games and scored four goals for the Israeli National team between 1987-1996.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Oct. 13, 1964

Career Highlights:
Driks' superb form with Maccabi Yavneh during the 1984-85 season led to a transfer to Maccabi Tel Aviv, who were going through an atypical slump at the time. Eli changed all that, and in the 1987 State Cup Final, he scored the third goal in a 3-3 tie, and Maccabi won on penalties. 1991-92 saw Maccabi win their first title since 1979. It was the beginning of a new era for Maccabi as Driks was fast becoming an inspiring forward while a new generation including Avi Nimni and Itzhik Zohar were taking over.

Maccabi won the 1993-94 Cup and went on to win the 1994-95 Israel League title with Driks scoring seven league goals. The next season was to be the peak of Driks's career. Maccabi won the league and Cup "double." Driks scored Maccabi's second goal in the 4-1 destruction of Rishon Le'tzion in the final and was Maccabi's leading scorer with a 15-goal haul.

1996-97 was a poor season for Maccabi. Driks scored seven goals again but Maccabi finished without a title. The next year was an excellent one for the veteran forward. He scored 14 goals, played inspirational soccer and was voted "Player of the Year" by Maccabi fans. After another season, Driks retired and was appointed coach of Maccabi Herzelyia. After modest success as a coach he has been appointed to the Maccabi Tel Aviv technical staff.

Origin:
B'nei Brak, Israel

Position:
Forward

Career Statistics:
4 goals in 24 international appearances

128 goals in 448 games.

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