title: Dick Nanninga
text: # Dick Nanninga
  
  Dirk Jacobus Willem 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.
  
  