Rolf Birger Pedersen
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| Rolf Birger Pedersen | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 23, 1939 | |
| Place of birth | Bergen, Norway | |
| Date of death | March 22, 2001 (aged 61) | |
| Place of death | Bergen, Norway | |
| Nickname | Pesen | |
| Playing position | Centre midfielder | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1957-1972 |  SK Brann |
335 (245) |
| National team | ||
| Norway |
15 (5) | |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Rolf Birger "Pesen" Pedersen (September 23, 1939 - March 22, 2001) was a Norwegian footballer and football coach. He grew up near Brann Stadion, and later became one of Brann's most legendary players. He was also caped 15 times for the Norwegian national football team, scoring 5 goals.
Pesen was an creative and goalscoring midfielder, and is considered by many to be Brann's best player in their championship-seasons 1962 and 1963. He never reached the same level in the following seasons, possibly losing his motivation after being so succsessful in his younger years. Nevertheless, his track record in Brann is impressive, with 335 matches and a record high 245 goals in the red jersey.
After his retirement in 1972, Pesen continued his football life as head coach in many of the Bergen-based clubs in the lower divisions. Later he held many different positions in his old club Brann, culminating in his run as chairman of the club. In the late 1990s he was made responsible for Brann Stadion.
In 2000 Pesen was diagnosed with cancer, and for a while it looked like he would pull through, but he had a fallback, and died on March 22, 2001 at the age of 61.
[edit] Trivia
- Pesen is one of very few honourary members of SK Brann.
- Together with Roald "Kniksen" Jensen, Pesen is the most legendary player in Brann's history.
