Roald Jensen

Roald Jensen

Personal information
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Winger
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:28, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

Roald "Kniksen" Jensen (January 13, 1943 – October 6, 1987) was one of Norway's best-ever football players. He played for Brann and Hearts in Scotland and died of a heart attack while training with S.K. Brann in 1987. There is a statue of him outside of Brann stadium.

Playing career

Jensen started playing for Brann at the age of 17. The same year he started his first game for Norway. He had a way of playing that had not been seen in Norway before. His incredible ball control, precise shots and passes helped Brann win their first ever championship in 1962. It also earned him the moniker "Kniksen", which translates into English as "dribbler". Brann would repeat their success the following year and win the league again. Jensen became Norway's biggest sports star and a darling of the media. Together with his good friend and team mate Rolf Birger Pedersen he helped Brann dominate Norwegian football in the early 1960s. In total he played 244 games and scored 170 goals for Brann.

Jensen was sold to Hearts in 1965 and stayed there until 1971. His Hearts career was plagued by injuries but he still played 170 games and scored 31 goals. His most important goal was the extra-time winner against Morton in the 1968 Scottish Cup semi-final, however the Maroons lost the resultant final 3-1 to Dunfermline Athletic.

Jensen returned to Brann in 1971 and helped them to win the Norwegian Cup in 1972. He wanted to play longer for Brann but arguments with the management convinced him to retire in 1973. He was only 30 years old.

Roald Jensen is today regarded as the greatest Brann player ever.

The Kniksen award

In his honor, an annual award is given out to Norwegian football players, called Kniksenprisen (The Kniksen award). The award is handed out to the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, manager, and referee in the Norwegian Premier League each year, and is voted on by the players, leaders, coaches, and referees of the Norwegian Premier League. Two additional main awards are given, one to the Norwegian football player of the year (in the Premier League or abroad), and one to "a person, or a team, that over time or in a single year has done something special in or for Norwegian Top Football". The Awards have been handed out annually since 1990. The Kniksen's honour award is recognized as Norwegian football's most prestigious award.

External links

• Appearances at londonhearts.com
• Image Archive at londonhearts.com

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