Flemming Nielsen (1934 – 2018)

It was with great sadness that we at Greenock Morton Football Club learned of the recent passing of former player Flemming Nielsen aged 84.

Nielsen played for the club between January 1965 and May 1966 and was one of the highest-profile members of our celebrated ‘Danish Invasion’.

He arrived at Cappielow boasting 26 caps for Denmark, a silver medal from the 1960 Olympics in Rome, in which he scored in the final against Yugoslavia, and a Coppa Italia winners’ medal with Italian club Atalanta.

In joining Atalanta from AB in 1961, Flemming sacrificed his international career with the strictly amateur Danish side to turn out in almost 100 games for the Bergamo outfit, scoring eight times.

He also represented the Italian League, notably playing alongside Denis Law and John Charles against the Scottish League in front of a crowd of 68,000 at Hampden in 1961.

Out of contract at Atalanta, Nielsen was attracted to Greenock by the community of Danish players at Cappielow and would go on to make 35 First Division appearances and score three goals in his time with the Ton.

He returned to Denmark and played with B93 for another year before becoming a sports journalist and author following his retirement from football.

A talented player who was skillful on the ball, packed a powerful shot, and stood at over 6 feet tall, he is fondly remembered by those who saw him play for the Ton.

Everyone at Greenock Morton extends our sincere condolences to Flemming’s family and friends at this sad time.

Image (Left to right): Jorn Sorenson, Erik Sorenson, Kai Johansen, Carl Bertelsen, Flemming Nielsen