About Dick Nanninga
Lived 1949 – 2015 (aged 66). Dick Nanninga was a Dutch association football player.
Dirk Jacobus Willem "Dick" Nanninga (17 January 1949 – 21 July 2015) was a Dutch footballer who played as a forward. At club level, he played for Dutch sides BV Veendam, Roda JC and MVV Maastricht. He also had a short spell with Hong Kong club Seiko. At international level, he represented the Netherlands at the 1978 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1980.
Career Nanninga earned 15 caps and scored 6 goals for the Netherlands national football team. In the 1978 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina in Buenos Aires, he scored the equalizing goal in normal time, but Argentina went on to win 3–1 in extra time.
In the same World Cup, Nanninga became the first substitute player to be sent off, 7 minutes after coming on against West Germany. He and Bernd Hölzenbein clashed as the Dutch took a free kick and Nanninga was shown the yellow card. He was then reported to have laughed at the referee's decision. Confusion reigned, as he was ordered off.
He is Roda JC's all time topscorer having scored 107 goals in 225 matches for the Kerkrade-based club.
Health issues and death In 2012, Nanninga went into a coma and only regained consciousness five months later. Due to diabetes his left lower leg had to be amputated. In 2014 his right lower leg also had to be amputated. His death was announced on 21 July 2015. National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nanninga goal.
Honours FIFA World Cup: runner-up 1978
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Important facts
People in Dick Nanninga's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Dick Nanninga's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dick Nanninga?
Dutch footballer (1949–2015)
When was Dick Nanninga born?
Dick Nanninga was born on 17 January 1949 in Groningen.
When did Dick Nanninga die?
Dick Nanninga died on 21 July 2015 in Maaseik.
What was Dick Nanninga's occupation?
Dick Nanninga was an association football player.
What nationality was Dick Nanninga?
Dick Nanninga was Dutch.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dick Nanninga. https://biography.guide/dick-nanninga/
MLA: "Dick Nanninga." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dick-nanninga/.
Chicago: "Dick Nanninga." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dick-nanninga/.
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