Jef Mermans had barely left Anderlecht when the young Jacky Stockman was discovered. He was Belgian champion in atlethics on the 100 and 300 meter. He started his football carreer for FC Ronse. He was fast and strong and became important for the Anderlecht team with Van Himst, Jurion and the others. He played his first international game in '58 and was selected for 32 times. His last international game for Belgium was in '67. In the season '61-'62, he was the best striker in the highest division with 29 goals in 30 games.

One of the highlights of his career was in April 24, 1963 when he won with Belgium against Brazil: 5-1! He scored three goals. In the afternoon before the game, he had to appear in front of the Sports Committee and got suspended for three weeks. When Stockman traveled with the national team to Brazil for the 2nd leg, he was received as a hero, but Brazil's revenge was sweet. They defeated the Belgians 5-0. Pele, who was absent in Brussels, made the difference.

In '64-'65, he received the nickname 'Zorro'. Anderlecht had defeated Bologna (1-0) in Brussels, but was two goals down in the second leg in Italy. A few minutes before the end of the game Stockman scored. That way, both teams had to play a test match and Sporting won.

Being 28 years old, Jan Mulder was about to take his place in the team. So he left Anderlecht for FC Liège. But he made the Anderlecht stadium tremble for one last time, in the season '72-'73. He played several excellent games and won the Belgian Cup. Anderlecht also performed well in the European competitions that season, thanks to Stockman.