Dick Helling

{{short description|Dutch footballer}}

{{for|the Welsh rugby player|Dick Hellings}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Dick Helling

|image = Persdag bij Ajax, Dick Helling, Bestanddeelnr 928-6999.jpg

|image_size = 150

|caption = Helling whilst with Ajax.

|fullname =

|birth_date = {{Birth date|1950|9|22|df=y}}

|birth_place = Zaandam, Netherlands

|death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|12|30|1950|9|22|df=y}}

|death_place = Krommenie, Netherlands

|height =

|position = Midfielder

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 =

|years1 = 1968–1971

|clubs1 = ZFC

|caps1 =

|goals1 =

|years2 = 1971–1975

|clubs2 = Telstar

|caps2 =

|goals2 =

|years3 = 1975–1977

|clubs3 = Ajax

|caps3 = 21

|goals3 = 0

|years4 = 1976

|clubs4 = → Telstar (loan)

|caps4 =

|goals4 =

|years5 = 1977–1985

|clubs5 = Volendam

|caps5 =

|goals5 =

|years6 =

|clubs6 = Always Forward

|caps6 =

|goals6 =

|totalcaps =

|totalgoals =

}}

Dick Helling (22 September 1950 – 30 December 2018) was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Early and personal life

Helling was born in Zaandam into a middle-class family; he was the middle child of three.

Career

Helling began his career with ZFC, moving to Telstar in August 1971.{{cite web|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010848860:mpeg21:a0190|title=ZFC houdt uitverkoop|date=20 August 1971|accessdate=2 January 2019|language=Dutch|publisher=De Volkskrant}} He played for them until 1975.{{cite web|url=http://www.sctelstar.nl/uncategorized/in-memoriam-dick-helling/|title=In memoriam: Dick Helling|accessdate=2 January 2019|language=Dutch|publisher=SC Telstar}} He next played for Ajax.{{cite web|url=https://www.ajax.nl/streams/actueel/oud-ajacied-dick-helling-68-overleden.htm|title=Oud-Ajacied Dick Helling (68) overleden|date=31 December 2018|accessdate=2 January 2019|language=Dutch|publisher=AFC Ajax}} Whilst at Ajax in 1975 he famously missed a penalty in a European Cup match against Levski-Spartak, resulting in Ajax's elimination from the competition. He made 29 appearances for Ajax – 21 in the league, 3 in the Cup, and 5 times in Europe. He returned to Telstar for a loan spell in 1976. He then spent 8 seasons with Volendam, for whom he scored 48 goals in 218 games in all competitions.{{cite web|url=https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20181230_88159861/oud-voetballer-dick-helling-68-overleden-video|title=Oud-voetballer Dick Helling (68) overleden [video]|date=30 December 2018|accessdate=31 December 2018|language=Dutch|publisher=Noordhollands Dagblad}}{{cite web|url=https://fcvolendam.nl/nieuws/in-memoriam-dick-helling/|title=In memoriam: Dick Helling|date=30 December 2018|accessdate=31 December 2018|language=Dutch|publisher=FC Volendam}} At Volendam he was part of the team which won promotion in May 1983. He ended his career with amateur side Always Forward.

Later life and death

He died on 30 December 2018, aged 68, in a hospice in Krommenie.{{cite web|url=https://www.zaandamsdagblad.nl/sport/voormalig-prof-dick-helling-overleden|title=Voormalig prof Dick Helling overleden|date=31 December 2018|accessdate=3 January 2019|language=Dutch|publisher=Zaandams Dagblad}}

References