Berry Nieuwenhuys

Berry Nieuwenhuys

Berry Nieuwenhuys in 1933
Personal information
Date of birth	(1911-11-05)5 November 1911
Place of birth	Boksburg, Transvaal, South Africa
Date of death	12 June 1984(1984-06-12) (aged 72)
Place of death	Johannesburg, South Africa
Playing position	Outside-right
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Boksburg
	Germiston Callies
1933–1947	Liverpool	239	(74)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Berry Nieuwenhuys, (5 November 1911 – 12 June 1984) was a South African footballer who played predominantly for Liverpool, which he was contracted to from 1933 to 1947. He retired in 1947, returning to South Africa to be employed at the Transvaal Country Club.

He occupied the position of outside right, akin to an advanced winger, but could play on the opposite flank. Nieuwenhuys became noted for his pace, technical skill, power of shot, and adeptness at heading. He made 260 appearances, scoring 79 goals - 74 of which had been amassed in the league. He attained double figures in goals scored in six consecutive seasons in the 1930s. The Second World War disrupted his career, forcing him to guest with Arsenal and West Ham while he served in the Royal Air Force.

Many supporters found his surname unpronounceable, so he was often referred to by the diminutive "Nivvy".

Born in Boksburg, Transvaal Province, Nieuwenhuys worked as an engineer and played for his hometown side Boksburg FC and the Germiston Callies before signing for Liverpool in September 1933. He became one of nine players from Boksburg to participate in the English and Scottish leagues during the 1930s. Liverpool, in particular, fielded at least six South Africans during the decade, including prolific goalscorer Gordon Hodgson. He debuted against Tottenham on 23 September, in a First Division fixture at White Hart Lane, as a replacement for Harry Taylor on the right wing. It proved to be an auspicious beginning, with Liverpool defeating Tottenham 3-0. He contributed to two of the goals, through his accurate crosses to Alf Hanson and Sam English. He registered his first goal a week later, on 30 September, against city rivals Everton. His 32nd-minute strike, along with Hanson's 60th minute and English's 80th-minute goals, gave Liverpool a 3–2 win.