Borge Thorup (1943-2026)
All at Greenock Morton Football Club were saddened to learn of the passing of former player Borge Thorup, who spent two spells at Cappielow, initially between 1966 & 1969, before returning for the 1971/72 season. Borge played the majority of his 65 games for Morton as a full-back or midfielder, but was also occasionally utilised as a striker.
By Niall McGilp
He was one of two future Morton signings who first played at Cappielow for Bronshoj Boldklub in a March 1964 friendly match. 15,000 fans subsequently saw the teams meet again in June of that year, in Copenhagen, during Morton’s close-season Danish tour.
During those years, several Danish internationals joined Morton: Erik Sorensen, Kai Johansen and Carl Bertelsen turning professional on signing, whilst others, such as Jorn Sorensen, Flemming Nielsen and Leif Nielsen, arrived at Cappielow as professionals having previously moved to France, Italy and the USA.
In November 1966, Borge joined “the Danish invasion”, signing for Morton; he was an established Danish Under-23 international and had received a full cap v Greece the previous year. He made his debut for Morton in a midweek friendly at Coventry city, winning praise for his performance from Morton boss Hal Stewart.
He joined a squad that included Erik Sorensen, John Madsen, Per Bartram and former Bronshoj team-mate Preben Arentoft. Morton were recovering from a surprise relegation the previous season, and they did so in style, setting a new points record and a lowest-ever Goals Against Column for Division Two – conceding just 20 goals in 38 matches. Borge and his team-mates celebrated a convincing Championship success and return to Division One.
Over the following seasons, Morton re-established themselves in the top flight and qualified for Europe, and in September 1968 faced Chelsea in the first round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (the equivalent of today’s UEFA Conference league). Borge played in both games and although Morton were ultimately well beaten in the first leg in London, they competed heroically in the return leg at Cappielow, with Thorup, deployed as a striker, netting Morton’s first ever European goal after 6 minutes.
He moved to Crystal Palace later that season for a reported £10,000 transfer fee; Morton players Tony Taylor, John Loughlan and later Per Bartram also signing for them around that time.
Borge Thorup was later to rejoin Morton for 1971/72 season; he started the season by netting 5 times in two pre-season matches v Glentoran and Ards in Northern Ireland, later scoring in league matches v Celtic ad Dundee United. He left Morton at the end of that season.
Borge Thorup met and married Donna and they settled in Dunoon, running a guest house there. He died peacefully at Ashgrove Care Home in the town on 30th August, aged 82, with his family at his side. The sincere condolences of everyone at Greenock Morton go to his wife Donna, children Kim and Kjeld and their families and friends.
