Henning Boel
Encyclopedia
Henning Boel is a Danish
former football player, who played professionally in the USA and Scotland
. He most notably won the 1970 Scottish Cup
with Aberdeen
, and was inducted into the Aberdeen FC "Hall of Fame" as one of the founding members in 2003. Boel also played 15 games for the Danish national team
.
, for amateur club Ikast FS
in his childhood town of Ikast
. While at Ikast, Boel became a regular in the Danish national team, earning five Under-21 caps and 13 of his 15 full caps from 1965 to 1967. When the professional North American Soccer League
was founded in 1968, Boel moved to the USA, playing three games for Boston Beacons
, then fifteen for the Washington Whips
. As the Danish FA
had a strict rule of amateurism for the Danish national team, Boel was automatically barred from playing any further national team games.
He was recruited by Scottish team Aberdeen
in early 1969, having been spotted during the club's tour of the USA the previous summer. During his time in Aberdeen, Boel became a favourite of the Scottish team's fans, and was a part of the Aberdeen team which won the 1969–70 Scottish Cup trophy, beating Celtic
3–1 in the final, which he himself feels is his greatest footballing achievement.
Boel resumed his international career, albeit briefly, in 1971. When the Danish rule of amateurism was abolished in May 1971, Boel was a part of the first Danish national team composed of professional players. The Danish team lost 0–5 to Portugal
, and Boel played his 15th and last national team game as Denmark lost 1–2 to Belgium two weeks later. An injury sustained in a UEFA Cup
tie against Borussia Mönchengladbach
in 1972 signalled the end of his time in Scotland as he found it difficult to regain his place in the Aberdeen side.
Having recovered from his injury, Boel returned to the Boston area after his time at Aberdeen. He went on to play for the Boston Minutemen
from 1974 to 1975. He later served as public relations
representative and manager for the New England Tea Men
. He finished his career where it started, back in Denmark with Ikast. Following his retirement from the game, he worked in the sports equipment and the telecommunications industries.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
former football player, who played professionally in the USA and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He most notably won the 1970 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
with Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, and was inducted into the Aberdeen FC "Hall of Fame" as one of the founding members in 2003. Boel also played 15 games for the Danish national team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
Playing career
Boel began his footballing career, playing as a defenderDefender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, for amateur club Ikast FS
Ikast FS
Ikast FS is a Danish football club currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division West. In 1999, their first team merged with Herning Fremad, to found FC Midtjylland and Ikast now operates as FCM's reserve team....
in his childhood town of Ikast
Ikast
Ikast is a Danish town in the Region Midtjylland. It has been part of the municipality of Ikast-Brande since 2007. It was the seat of the former Ikast Municipality.-External links:*...
. While at Ikast, Boel became a regular in the Danish national team, earning five Under-21 caps and 13 of his 15 full caps from 1965 to 1967. When the professional North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
was founded in 1968, Boel moved to the USA, playing three games for Boston Beacons
Boston Beacons
The Boston Beacons were a United States soccer team from Boston. In 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League but folded after just one season. The Beacons were actually a relaunch of the United Soccer Association team Boston Rovers. They played their home games at Fenway...
, then fifteen for the Washington Whips
Washington Whips
The Washington Whips were a soccer team based in Washington, D.C. that played in the United Soccer Association. The league was made up of teams imported from foreign leagues. The Washington club was actually Aberdeen F.C...
. As the Danish FA
Danish Football Association
The Danish Football Association is the governing body of football in Denmark. It is the organization of the Danish football clubs and runs the professional Danish football leagues and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in the city of Brøndby and is a founding member of both FIFA...
had a strict rule of amateurism for the Danish national team, Boel was automatically barred from playing any further national team games.
He was recruited by Scottish team Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in early 1969, having been spotted during the club's tour of the USA the previous summer. During his time in Aberdeen, Boel became a favourite of the Scottish team's fans, and was a part of the Aberdeen team which won the 1969–70 Scottish Cup trophy, beating Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
3–1 in the final, which he himself feels is his greatest footballing achievement.
Boel resumed his international career, albeit briefly, in 1971. When the Danish rule of amateurism was abolished in May 1971, Boel was a part of the first Danish national team composed of professional players. The Danish team lost 0–5 to Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, and Boel played his 15th and last national team game as Denmark lost 1–2 to Belgium two weeks later. An injury sustained in a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
tie against Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
in 1972 signalled the end of his time in Scotland as he found it difficult to regain his place in the Aberdeen side.
Having recovered from his injury, Boel returned to the Boston area after his time at Aberdeen. He went on to play for the Boston Minutemen
Boston Minutemen
The Boston Minutemen were a soccer team based out of Boston that played in the NASL. They played from 1974 to 1976. Their home fields included Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy and Sargent Field in New Bedford.Portuguese legend...
from 1974 to 1975. He later served as public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
representative and manager for the New England Tea Men
New England Tea Men
The New England Tea Men were a soccer team based out of Foxboro, MA that played in the NASL from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was Schaefer Stadium....
. He finished his career where it started, back in Denmark with Ikast. Following his retirement from the game, he worked in the sports equipment and the telecommunications industries.