Claus: I thought about suicide after my alcohol battle.

[Pancake]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2068699/Gary-Speed-death-I-thought-suicide-says-Claus-Lundekvam.html

 

Not seen it on here.

[scott_saints]

He was an alcoholic before he retired, judging by the amount of times he was seen in town wasted!

 

Glad he seems to have turned things around though.

[Danish Saint]

http://www.nattogdag.no/smilegift/5167/n-d-moter-claus-lundekvam?q=N&D%20møter%20Claus%20Lundekvam

 

Also an article in the Norwegian Press about this:

 

Google translated:

Hello, Claus! What do you eat?

 

- There is a Thai-stuff. It works if you have a lot of dressing. But I've had enough now.

 

But there's plenty left on the plate!

 

- It tends to be that way. I do not eat as much of the time. I eat rather frequently throughout the day.

 

Is there anything like that low-carb plan?

 

- No, you know what! No low-carbon in the farm.

 

We played against you in the media tournament in football the other day. We must admit we were a little smånervøse when we saw line-up to the other side, and that we put up the strategy accordingly. But if we are to be completely honest, Claus: We do not think that you were sooo good?

 

"Mini was very good he is! He is underrated.

- I understand. I'm just a shadow of myself on the football field. But I think that's okay, I've accepted that life as a really good football is over, now I play just for fun. Thus, it has never been appropriate for me to step down with the football in lower divisions here in Norway, as some colleagues of mine have done.

 

We are so young that the curves are still pointing upwards. How does it feel to wake up every day and be a little less football than you were the day before? Or is it just that the problem of soccer players in luck, they do not know - or want to understand - that they are over the top?

 

- For my part, I was injured so that his career was a very sudden and natural finish. But yes, I see many examples of football players who do not realize that they are a paler version of who they once were. It is NOK an admission that sits deep in many people. My best years were aged 28-30, there is NOK rule too many stops. Attackers often burn up the powder even earlier.

 

Yes, you have stated that Robbie Fowler is perhaps the most toxic tip you've ever met. But he stopped the to be good before he was out of their teens!

 

- Yes, but there it was all a lot about professionalism then, or lack thereof. But to end ... where I have not seen before. It would thus have to be Thierry Henry, at the height of his career, that is, around 2002/2003. He had a combination of intelligence and speed, which was quite tricky to deal with. There are many quick tips, but they are not all that smart, and when they can not get through.

 

I remember that you tackled Harald Martin Brattbakk at waist height, and not even bothered to wait for the referee's red card before you were half-way through a shower. Was it the combination speed / intelligence that was a little overwhelming at that time also?

 

- Oh, that's one of my darkest moments on the court. It was the game we lost 10-0 at Lerkendal. The plan was to go out on the path to revenge 0-9 defeat two years in advance. Instead, we get 0-3 in the face for ten minutes or something. The whole team collapsed and roll the curtain went down. I managed to score the own goal as well. I can laugh about it today, but just barely. It hurts yet.

 

The battle also had a slightly spicy side drama all the time RBK mustered some Trond Egil Soltvedt after a much debated shift from just fire. Care two elaborate?

 

- Uh, yes, there was some drama there. But it should be noted that this particular RBK vintage was pretty unstoppable. Skammelsrud, Berg, Staurvik, Iversen, Brattbakk, Beach ... yes, and the Mini, then!

 

Seriously!? Taking the Mini in the company there? It was certainly ... the word we are looking for ... collegiate of you.

 

- Mini was very good he was, and also a player type we are little spoiled in this country: målfarlig wing. He scored the hat-trick in the game we're talking about. Many people underestimate the Mini today.

 

A few months later insert from the sinking ship in Bergen and reported moving to Southampton. There you will meet the course NIGHT & DAY favorite player Matthew Le Tissier. Can you say anything about his position in the port city of Southampton?

 

- What shall I say? He is a God there. Nothing less. He was also an illustrious player. I must be so humiliating to call myself privileged to have the opportunity to play with such a player. There is also something about the timing. As a player is Matthew a kind of luxury accessory that no longer fit in the Premier League. Now everything is much faster, proffere and more streamlined, all players must adapt to a system. With Matthew it was more the reverse: the team had to adjust to him.

 

A little sad that there no longer room for such characters in the Premier League? We believe that Eric Cantona had not received the contract today ...

 

- A bit sad is that. On the other hand, the level has never been higher; football as played today is a whole lot better and faster than that recorded ten years ago.

 

Those who know him, why did not confirmands Le Tissier braces?

 

- No, say it. But that makes two of us. My teeth are almost as bad.

 

Another God-substitute in Southampton's alleged fellow citizen and R'n'B scene's answer to Robbie Fowler, the somewhat ruined music artist Craig David. Explain!

 

- Very nice guy! He was involved in some training with us in the nineties, before his career took off and he was really great. We always got VIP tickets to the shows of his, so I have seen my mite Craig David concerts, to put it that way. The most famous Southampton supporter today is just the drummer from Coldplay, Will Champion.

 

It is a bit more schwung of music and soccer links in England than in Norway, what? Oasis and Manchester City, Stone Roses and Manchester United, Elton John and Watford. Here at home it is ... what, Wig Wam and Fredrikstad?

 

Excuse me a moment. I'll just cry a tear.

 

- Do not forget Rod Stewart and Birmingham. I was at home with him once, in the garden, he has a football field ...

 

... Type of five-a-side?

 

- No, an entire football field. Large garden. We trained there a few times, the entire team. Fun theme, where he Rod Stewart.

 

There you will have us believe! What do you prefer on TV?

 

- I lose myself completely in the British sense of humor, so it is not so much Norwegian television. Instead, it got me a whole bunch English channels. Top Gear is probably my favorite. I have a thing for fast, nice cars. Had at least. I lost the patch over there ...

 

How do you deal with substance abuse problems in your day? Can you for example take a glass of beer in merry company, as they say?

 

- No, I'm an alcoholic and must accept it. It is the tenth beer that is the problem, it is the first. There is a daily struggle, and something I still working to reconcile myself with. Sometimes I ask myself if I can have real fun again. When you grew up in Austin and in the football community, alcohol is a very natural fit and is associated with many good memories. Now I accept that I will never drink a beer again. It is something I have to rely on me to fight with the rest of your life.

 

So when TV 2 goes on channel collection at some mountain hotel, then you will find it wiser to stay home?

 

- No, I'm with. It is important to me, a kind of principle. I am a social creature, I refuse to miss events just because others drink alcohol there.

 

You are far from the first football player who has landed a little late. The list is long as a bad year, and it is certainly the big unknown. It seems that English football in particular, are especially vulnerable. Thinking about it?

 

- I was admitted to Tony Adams Clinic, so I have included talking to him about it. Paul Merson is another I have shared experiences. I met Gascoigne other day too, for that matter. All conditions turned the up a few notches in the Premier League: wages are higher, egos are bigger, the admiration of the fans are more extensive, doped is more accessible. This amount of funds, opportunity and inflated self-image is a scary combination.

 

You have stated that you want to start a clinic for Norwegian athletes who have substance abuse problems at the end of career. This fall, fronts a new e-learning initiative with "social drugs" as a theme, a collaboration between the player organization NISO and Anti-Doping Norway. Tell!

 

- I do not think people are properly aware of the problem this is also at home. I was tremendously positive inquiries and feedback after I stood up with my addictions, but also a cry for help. There are too many people hit the wall when playing career is over. The project of NISO and Anti-Doping Norway is about helping them.

 

Every time we look at football broadcasts for TV 2, we are instead sitting to long rough spell of ... wait, wait, not Julie Strømsvåg, but ... skjortekragene yours! Although we have not format to pull it off, but for readers who believe they qualify: Where do you buy them? Or, maybe costume belongs to the store to the TV 2?

 

- Hah! Well, it so happens, I come from the island Selbjørn in Austin, a real shopkeeper municipality. Some Sunnmøre, only that it lies in Hordaland. I think you know that it is the municipality in Norway with the highest density of millionaires.

 

Why?

 

- Fish. You'd only known how much money there is in fish. Do you know how much money there is in fish?

 

No.

 

- My brother is a fisherman.

 

Okay, your parents do?

 

- My dad is a teacher. Mom is a hairdresser.

 

Teachers, assistant. Big shout-out to you! We think you deserve much better pay.

 

- But back to the shirts: One of these fishermen began importing Italian shirts, so when he asked me if I could use them on TV. And it seems I was perfectly fine, I think they were fine. So he sends me new shirts all the time. You can buy them at Clover House, I know.

[Lighthouse]

It's a cruel business really. Most of the top players have been obsessed with playing for as long as they've been able to walk. After 35 years of nothing but training and playing matches, suddenly everything stops. I guess to some life must seem empty and pointless.

[Fan The Flames]

Many sportsmen claim they miss the camaraderie, a group of lads together having a laugh. Cricket has a suicide rate twice the avergae, these guys spend a lot of time together and they miss it afterwards.

 

I work for a mental health NHS Trust and know that depresssion is a terrible thing and not something that 'tuff men' have to suffer alone. There are lot's of services out there that can be tapped into so if you feel bad see your GP or go to A&E.

[buctootim]

Think this line from Claus sums it up: "in the Premier League: wages are higher, egos are bigger, the admiration of the fans are more extensive, dope is more accessible. This amount of funds, opportunity and inflated self-image is a scary combination".

[paris]

Good for him a day at a time .......

[JRM]

there seems to be an assumption that Gary Speed was suffering from depression which seems strange as no evidence to suggest that, also he wasn't having to cope with being out of the game.

 

as for claus, he showed a lack of mental discipline allowing himself to be drawn into the heavy drinking and smoking, it was a lifestyle choice and i can't feel too sorry for footballers earning as much in a week as i do in a year, if they want to experience stress they should try to provide for a family on a low wage, or work for a week in A&E, after that football might not seem to bad after all

[buctootim]

there seems to be an assumption that Gary Speed was suffering from depression which seems strange as no evidence to suggest that, also he wasn't having to cope with being out of the game.

 

as for claus, he showed a lack of mental discipline allowing himself to be drawn into the heavy drinking and smoking, it was a lifestyle choice and i can't feel too sorry for footballers earning as much in a week as i do in a year, if they want to experience stress they should try to provide for a family on a low wage, or work for a week in A&E, after that football might not seem to bad after all

 

Odd. Claus seems to have shown more mental discipline than Gary Speed. He is still here after all.

[JRM]

Odd. Claus seems to have shown more mental discipline than Gary Speed. He is still here after all.

 

i didn't say he hadn't , but he showed poor discipline to become an alcoholic and blame it on the ease within the lifestyle of a footballer.

 

he has been given great opportunity in life and has chosen to waste a lot of it on drink and drugs

[Fan The Flames]

there seems to be an assumption that Gary Speed was suffering from depression which seems strange as no evidence to suggest that, also he wasn't having to cope with being out of the game.

 

as for claus, he showed a lack of mental discipline allowing himself to be drawn into the heavy drinking and smoking, it was a lifestyle choice and i can't feel too sorry for footballers earning as much in a week as i do in a year, if they want to experience stress they should try to provide for a family on a low wage, or work for a week in A&E, after that football might not seem to bad after all

 

I'm sorry you are confusing stress and mental health issues, no footballer is asking for sympathy for a stressful life. Robert Enke walked in front of a train not because his life was stressful but because he was ill. Mental helath issues like depression and alchaholism do not discriminate and unfortunatley having a lot of money can indeed be a contributory factor. Also if you think mental discipline is the thing that stops you becoming ill you are very wrong.

[Nutwood2]

I'm sorry you are confusing stress and mental health issues, no footballer is asking for sympathy for a stressful life. Robert Enke walked in front of a train not because his life was stressful but because he was ill. Mental helath issues like depression and alchaholism do not discriminate and unfortunatley having a lot of money can indeed be a contributory factor. Also if you think mental discipline is the thing that stops you becoming ill you are very wrong.

 

Very well said!

[JRM]

So Claus is saying he was mentally ill? that is why he was down the casino drinking, smoking and laughing most nights? ok then.

 

and we still don't know why Gary Speed committed suicide.

[Fan The Flames]

So Claus is saying he was mentally ill? that is why he was down the casino drinking, smoking and laughing most nights? ok then.

 

and we still don't know why Gary Speed committed suicide.

 

The fact that Claus has had to seek help from a rehab centre suggests that his problems were quiet deep and as he classes himself as an alcholic then yes he has a mental health problem. Just becuase he had some fun times when drinking shouldn't detract from the issue, anyone who watched Gazza the other night could plainly see that he had been through a terrible time, although a lot of the times 'on it' would have been great.

 

No we don't know why Gary Speed died but no one on here was linking it to depression.

[Made in Southampton]

The one thing I've found with people’s views on mental illness is just how wrong they can be. I remember when Stan Colloymore first came out and said he'd suffered with depression. Everyone including myself said "How can a footballer earning his sort of money and his lifestyle be depressed" and "he needs a real job, then he'd know about depression".

 

Only since I've educated myself do I realise how utterly wrong I was. Unfortunately there is a stigma that still exists with depression and a lot of this comes with the fact that the general public still don’t understand it. Recently there was a Mirror reporter on Talksport talking about a cricketer (name escapes me) which had left the tour because of depression. He came out with some old garbage that made me really angry about being a sportsman and having depression don’t go hand in hand.

[johnnyboy]

The one thing I've found with people’s views on mental illness is just how wrong they can be. I remember when Stan Colloymore first came out and said he'd suffered with depression. Everyone including myself said "How can a footballer earning his sort of money and his lifestyle be depressed" and "he needs a real job, then he'd know about depression".

 

Only since I've educated myself do I realise how utterly wrong I was. Unfortunately there is a stigma that still exists with depression and a lot of this comes with the fact that the general public still don’t understand it. Recently there was a Mirror reporter on Talksport talking about a cricketer (name escapes me) which had left the tour because of depression. He came out with some old garbage that made me really angry about being a sportsman and having depression don’t go hand in hand.

 

Trescothick ?

[saints-cris]

The one thing I've found with people’s views on mental illness is just how wrong they can be. I remember when Stan Colloymore first came out and said he'd suffered with depression. Everyone including myself said "How can a footballer earning his sort of money and his lifestyle be depressed" and "he needs a real job, then he'd know about depression".

 

Only since I've educated myself do I realise how utterly wrong I was. Unfortunately there is a stigma that still exists with depression and a lot of this comes with the fact that the general public still don’t understand it. Recently there was a Mirror reporter on Talksport talking about a cricketer (name escapes me) which had left the tour because of depression. He came out with some old garbage that made me really angry about being a sportsman and having depression don’t go hand in hand.

 

can only be Trescothic or Yardy?

[Made in Southampton]

Yardy I think. It was recent.