Berry Nieuwenhuys

Berry Nieuwenhuys, (born 5 November 1911), died circa 1984), and was a football player predominantly for Liverpool.

Life and playing career

Born in Kroonstad, Free State Province, South Africa, Nieuwenhuys played for Boksburg F.C and Germiston Calies before Liverpool manager George Patterson signed him in September 1933. He made his debut, wearing the famous number 7 shirt, in a First Division match on September 23 at White Hart Lane. It proved to be a day to remember for Berry as Liverpool ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Tottenham. He opened his goalscoring account a week later on September 30, again, in a league game but this time at Anfield. The goal would go a long way towards making Berry a Liverpool legend as the opponents for the day were local rivals Everton. Nieuwenhuys' 32nd minute strike along with Adolf Hanson's 60th minute and Sam English's 80th minute goals gave Liverpool a 3-2 win. Nicknamed Nivvy, Nieuwenhuys was a slim Outside Right and was just one of a number of South African players signed by the Reds over a period of 3 decades. In fact he immediately linked up with fellow countryman Gordon Hodgson.

Along with his incredible pace and quicksilver feet Nivvy could also hit a venomous shot and he would often be seen cutting in from the wide berth to unleash an unstoppable strike at goal. By the end of his first season at Liverpool he weighed in with a very respectable 10 goals. He followed this up with 11, another 10, consecutive 13's and before scoring 16 in the 1938-39 campaign.

During the Second World War he served in the Royal Air Force and guested for both Arsenal and West Ham United.

After the war Nieuwenhuys returned to Anfield and played 15 times, hitting the net 5 times, during the championship winning season of 1946-47. His team mates during this era included Jack Balmer, Bill Jones, Albert Stubbins, Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley.

Nivvy left Liverpool in 1947, returning to the South Africa where he took the post of Assistant Golf professional to World Golf Hall of Famer Bobby Locke at the Transvaal Country Club.

Nieuwenhuys played 260 times on the wing for the Anfield club' Nivvy's knack for finding the back of the net helped him to a total of 79 goals, a goal every 3.2 games, not bad considering a striker is happy if he gets 1 in 3.

Berry died aged 74 in 1984 forever a Liverpool legend.

The name is pronounced " Nivvenhows " - from The Football Who's Who 1935.

Career details

* Liverpool F.C (1933 - 1947)† - 260 appearances, 79 goals - Football League (level 1) championship winners medal (1947)

External links

* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/nieuwenhuys/ Official player profile at Liverpoolfc.tv]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=781 Player profile at LFChistory.net]