Leif Nielsen (1942-2026)

Greenock Morton Football Club has learned of the passing of our former goalkeeper and Danish international, Leif Nielsen, on 11th June 2026. He was 84 years of age and played for Morton in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Leif was a superb goalkeeper, who originally played for BK Frem in Denmark, making 164 appearances between 1961 and 1967. He became Denmark’s international goalkeeper in 1964, succeeding Morton’s first Danish signing, Erik Sorensen, and made 28 international appearances for his country between 1964 and 1967. He was Denmark’s keeper at the 1964 European Championship Finals in Spain.

In 1968, Leif turned professional, joining the Houston Stars in the North American Soccer League. He played there for one season (1968) and kept 10 clean sheets in 30 games.

In January 1969, Hal Stewart brought Leif to Morton, and over almost 2 years, he played 76 times for Morton in all competitions, keeping 20 clean sheets. Leif was tall and agile and featured for Morton in some big games, including the 1969 Scottish Cup run to the semi-finals v Celtic, and Texaco Cup ties v West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers the following season.

He suffered what proved to be a career-ending knee injury at Kilmarnock on 24th October 1970; he bravely tried to play on, but was unable to do so, George Anderson eventually having to take over in goal.

Leif has suffered from dementia in recent years and spent the last 9 months in a nursing home for people with dementia in Skovlunde, Denmark.

Leif was widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers ever to play for Morton.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.