Henk Nienhuis (11 August 1941 – 18 February 2017) was a Dutch footballer and manager. He spent the major part of his career at BV Veendam, hence his nickname Mister Veendam.[1]

Henk Nienhuis
Personal information
Full name Hendrik Evert Nienhuis
Date of birth (1941-08-11)11 August 1941
Place of birth Nieuw-Buinen, Netherlands
Date of death 18 February 2017(2017-02-18) (aged 75)
Place of death Veendam, Netherlands
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
VV Nieuw Buinen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1973 Veendam
Managerial career
1984–1989 BV Veendam
1993–1994 BV Veendam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Nienhuis played in midfield for BV Veendam from 1963 to 1973, after joining them from hometown amateur side Nieuw Buinen.[2] He made his debut for Veendam on 25 August 1963 against Excelsior.[3]

He attracted interest from Feyenoord and was called up for Netherlands U-21 in November 1964,[3] only for a severe injury to spoil his chances.[4]

Managerial career

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Nienhuis managed Veendam during the second half of the eighties, clinching promotion with them to the Eredivisie twice. He later worked as a director at the club, as he did at FC Groningen.[1]

Personal life

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He was honoured as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2000 for his services to football in the Netherlands.[5] His son Evert-Jan also played for Veendam.

Nienhuis died in February 2017 of prostate cancer.[6] Stadium De Langeleegte was renamed Henk Nienhuis stadium in his honour.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b 'Mister Veendam' Henk Nienhuis (75) overleden - AD (in Dutch)
  2. ^ Veendam-icoon Henk Nienhuis (75) overleden - Voetbal International (in Dutch)
  3. ^ a b 'Boertje Nienhuis' was Mister Veendam - RTV Noord (in Dutch)
  4. ^ Henk Nienhuis (75) is overleden - RTV Drenthe (in Dutch)
  5. ^ Oud-voetbaltrainer Henk Nienhuis (75) overleden - NOS (in Dutch)
  6. ^ Dick Lukkien: Henk Nienhuis was een goeie kerel om mee te werken - RTV Drenthe (in Dutch)
  7. ^ Folkers, Martijn (30 January 2018). "Eerbetoon aan voetbalicoon: Langeleegte wordt Henk Nienhuis Stadion". www.rtvnoord.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
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