Lundekvam facing 6 months jail

[lambertsrightleg]

Claus was just on Norwegian telly. Checked in on the "Tony Adams clinique?" in the middle of May.

 

He was talking openly about going into a dark place when his career ended. Needed a substitute for the footie. Started to drink heavily and doing drugs.

 

Honest interwiew, had some difficulties talking about it. Close to tears at the end of it when thinking of what sort of man he had been in this period.

 

such a shame. anybody know what drugs he was on?

[St_Tel49]

Would Claus get into anyones top Saints side? I would put players like Mark Wright, Dave Watson even Andrew Davies above him.

I'm speechless.

[saintkiptanui]

I'm speechless.

As am I.

[Seany S]

such a shame. anybody know what drugs he was on?

 

Lots of cocaine.

[norwaysaint]

Claus was just on Norwegian telly. Checked in on the "Tony Adams clinique?" in the middle of May.

 

He was talking openly about going into a dark place when his career ended. Needed a substitute for the footie. Started to drink heavily and doing drugs.

 

Honest interwiew, had some difficulties talking about it. Close to tears at the end of it when thinking of what sort of man he had been in this period.

 

Yeah, there was an article about it in my local paper.

 

http://fotball.bt.no/england/article171541.ece

[Jonnyboy]

E?

Yeah, there was an article about it in my local paper.

 

http://fotball.bt.no/england/article171541.ece

 

transaltion...

[bugenhagen]

First translated by Google, and then by me :

 

"Claus Lundekvam (37), former national player for his country and pro in English club Southampton, has had tough years behind him. Now he gets help for his problems on Tony Adams' clinic - Sporting Chance Clinic - in England.

 

Lundekvam was last year sentenced to community service after driving with alcohol in his blood, and has struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, it emerges in an interview with the Norwegian TV-channel TV2. May 17 he decided to seek help, and let himself into the clinic.

 

- Misguided

- I was misguided and in a black hole for some time, where I saw no way out. I booked a flight to Rio de Janeiro and felt that the whole world was after me. I just wanted away, I wanted to escape, I wanted to destroy myself, "said Lundekvam in an interview on TV 2 on Tuesday night.

 

- But I knew that it would kill me. Because this would have killed me. I give 100 percent no matter what, even when it comes to drugs, "said Lundekvam, who admits having used both alcohol and cocaine in order to" fill a gap, "as he calls it.

 

He also says he was hospitalized twice and was starting to get heartproblems on one occasion.

 

- I took it to extremes.

 

Now Claus Lundekvam looks on the brighter side of life.

 

- I can talk about it, I'm here and I get help. It is heavy, but I'll get through.

 

The centreback went from Brann to Southampton in 1996. He made around 420 appearances for Southampton - just over 300 in the Premier League.

 

Support from Semb

He also had 40 caps for Norway, most of them under former manager Nils Johan Semb.

 

- Claus ended up in a difficult situation. The positive is that he has taken a step, and is under treatment, "Semb told Dagbladet.

 

Semb thinks it helps that Lundekvam is open with his problems.

 

- It's a long and tough road, but openness is a good sign. There are some others who have been in the same situation. But there are many professional football players, and only a few that end up in trouble, "he said.

 

- For Claus sake, I hope he gets himself out of the problems. He is getting good help, "said Semb."

Edited 8 June, 2010 by bugenhagen

[corsacar saint]

You have to admire anyone,who seeks proffessional help, good luck Claus.

[liebherr driver]

Ive been doing coke for 15 years, but Im not addicted. I just like the smell.

[buctootim]

I personally don't give a f*ck what Claus does in his own time.

 

I have, 2 infact (lost people to drink driving), and an unborn cousin, in probably one of the most public incidents which killed 11 people..

 

Well as long as you are consistent and not posturing in any way I guess thats fine

[StuRomseySaint]

Well as long as you are consistent and not posturing in any way I guess thats fine

 

Not really, just because my family have been directly affected by drink drivers, doesn't mean I am going to judge a Saints player on what happens in their private life.

 

I might think he is a **** for doing so privately, but he is still a Saints legend/good servant and I don't give a fook what he does now, he is not a Saints player anymore and my memories of him remain on the pitch.

 

So... I stand by what I said.

Edited 9 June, 2010 by StuRomseySaint

[buctootim]

Not really, just because my family have been directly affected by drink drivers, doesn't mean I am going to judge a Saints player on what happens in their private life.

 

I might think he is a **** for doing so privately, but he is still a Saints legend/good servant and I don't give a fook what he does now, he is not a Saints player anymore and my memories of him remain on the pitch.

 

So... I stand by what I said.

 

But you can be a great player and still be a ****wit. If MLT turned out to have been a kiddy fiddler he would still have been the greatest ever (probably) Saints player but also a total slimeball. Gascoigne was a great player and a ****ed up individual. They arent mutually exclusive.

[StuRomseySaint]

But you can be a great player and still be a ****wit. If MLT turned out to have been a kiddy fiddler he would still have been the greatest ever (probably) Saints player but also a total slimeball. Gascoigne was a great player and a ****ed up individual. They arent mutually exclusive.

 

Well I see them as completely seperate.

 

Lee Hughes is one of the best strikers outside the Premiership and I would welcome him to Saints.

 

Maybe it's because I don't make an emotional bond with anyone ( ok apart from Matty ) , so don't link what they do in their private life to what they do on the pitch.

[NickG]

its what football is all about - variation in how we rate players.

 

personally he would be far from a legend, probably not in my top 5 CBs since I have been watching. Also his poor form (due to lack of personal discipline?) had direct impact on our stay in prem.

 

Hope he sorts out his personal life.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

Most of us like a drink but have the discipline of work to keep us operational. How many of us would be in the priory if we had cash in the bank and nothing to do?

 

Claus must have been one of the longest serving foreign imports of any club. I liked him then and he is one of us. Saints was his club. If I saw him tomorrow I would tell him as much and buy him a drink - albeit an elderflower cordial. Get well soon Claus and thank you.

[dune]

But I knew that it would kill me. Because this would have killed me. I give 100 percent no matter what, even when it comes to drugs, "said Lundekvam, who admits having used both alcohol and cocaine in order to" fill a gap, "as he calls it.

 

He's no different to a lot of people I know and have known in this respect. I hope he gets through it and isn't criminalised because he needs support - not prison. He needs to move away from the area and the drug users he's mixed with and find new interests such as coaching.

[scotty]

But you can be a great player and still be a ****wit. If MLT turned out to have been a kiddy fiddler he would still have been the greatest ever (probably) Saints player but also a total slimeball. Gascoigne was a great player and a ****ed up individual. They arent mutually exclusive.

 

thats a good point because its notable how many great players really are total c*nts off the pitch. Some of them need that arrogance to be the players they are. For every great player who is regarded as a nice guy there is another who's generally thought of as highly unpleasant.

[david in sweden]

do you class him as a legend? Decent player, nothing close to legend in my book.

 

 

Can you re-define legend.?

 

He is one of only 9 Saints players to have made over 400 apps. and the only non-British player ever to have done so.

 

He was a part of some of the best central defensive partnerships we've had in the last 30 years...and retained by a myriad managers whilst many others fell by the wayside.

 

Monkou / Lundekvam

Lundekvam / Richards

Lundekvam / Svensson

 

He also received a couple of horrific injuries " in the cause" and seldom shrank from a tackle. He also played over 40 games for Norway and captained them on several occasions in what was quite a good international side at the time. I think that speaks for itself.

 

While I don't condone any of his "off -field" misdemeanors, he is obviously a sad man with problems, but has my respect for his performances on it.

[StuRomseySaint]

Here is my definition of a legend.

 

Someone who has recieved England honours whilst at SFC

 

Someone who has earnt a testimonial

[NickG]

Can you re-define legend.?

 

He is one of only 9 Saints players to have made over 400 apps. and the only non-British player ever to have done so.

 

He was a part of some of the best central defensive partnerships we've had in the last 30 years...and retained by a myriad managers whilst many others fell by the wayside.

 

Monkou / Lundekvam

Lundekvam / Richards

Lundekvam / Svensson

 

He also received a couple of horrific injuries " in the cause" and seldom shrank from a tackle. He also played over 40 games for Norway and captained them on several occasions in what was quite a good international side at the time. I think that speaks for itself.

 

While I don't condone any of his "off -field" misdemeanors, he is obviously a sad man with problems, but has my respect for his performances on it.

 

someone who I remember as one of the best in the position since I have been watching- not him

 

someone whose memory is not tainted with poor form in our relegation season - not him.

 

Personal choice but to me, a million miles away from being a legend on or off the pitch.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Most of us like a drink but have the discipline of work to keep us operational. How many of us would be in the priory if we had cash in the bank and nothing to do?

 

Claus must have been one of the longest serving foreign imports of any club. I liked him then and he is one of us. Saints was his club. If I saw him tomorrow I would tell him as much and buy him a drink - albeit an elderflower cordial. Get well soon Claus and thank you.

 

There's no excuse for having nothing to do when you have cash in the bank, other than stupidity and/or laziness.

 

In his case I have a good idea which one of those is nearer the mark.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Can you re-define legend.?

 

He is one of only 9 Saints players to have made over 400 apps. and the only non-British player ever to have done so.

 

He was a part of some of the best central defensive partnerships we've had in the last 30 years...and retained by a myriad managers whilst many others fell by the wayside.

 

Monkou / Lundekvam

Lundekvam / Richards

Lundekvam / Svensson

 

He also received a couple of horrific injuries " in the cause" and seldom shrank from a tackle. He also played over 40 games for Norway and captained them on several occasions in what was quite a good international side at the time. I think that speaks for itself.

 

While I don't condone any of his "off -field" misdemeanors, he is obviously a sad man with problems, but has my respect for his performances on it.

 

An average player lucky enough to have been partnered by centre backs who were experiencing their own purple patches.

[Baldsaint]

Here is my definition of a legend.

 

Someone who has recieved England honours whilst at SFC

 

Someone who has earnt a testimonial

 

Although I agree to a certain extent, as someone with a few years under his belt one of my all time favourite players is Brian O'Neil and is, in my book, a legend.

 

Claus, I agree, is not.

[Neilza]

An average player lucky enough to have been partnered by centre backs who were experiencing their own purple patches.

 

Deluded, simple as.

[david in sweden]

An average player lucky enough to have been partnered by centre backs who were experiencing their own purple patches.

 

No player is " lucky enough " to play 400+ games (most in the Premiership)

Only CL survived the " cull " of a dozen successive managers, and only Chris Baird (ignored by most in thst time) were still around afterwards.

 

I fully endorse the praise of performance of those " more agressive " CH's mentioned but I think they might say that they performed well / and looked as good as they really were.. BECAUSE they played alongside Claus and not despite it.

[david in sweden]

Although I agree to a certain extent, as someone with a few years under his belt one of my all time favourite players is Brian O'Neil and is, in my book, a legend.

 

Claus, I agree, is not.

 

 

While I agree with you that Brian O'Neil was a player EVERYONE enjoyed watching (I certainly did) anyway, and worthy of consideration for the L title.Brian did not play for England (not while he was at Saints anyway) ..at any level ..and his barely 4 seasons (and 171 games) doesn't even get him in the top 40 of first team appearances for Saints...but his bad disciplinary record can matched only by.. Mark Hughes (in his brief stay) and David Prutton ..of whom too much has been written previously.

[NickG]

Not sure I would confidently pick him over many/any of those - certainly not the bold ones

 

Waldron

Wright

Nicholl

Watson

Ruddock

Richards

Svennson

Monkou

Osman

[Gemmel]

Here is my definition of a legend.

 

Someone who has recieved England honours whilst at SFC

 

Someone who has earnt a testimonial

 

Carlton Palmer??

[farawaysaint]

Carlton Palmer??

 

Le Tiss, Claus earned many more caps than LeGod though and a testimonial I love the guy.

[david in sweden]

Not sure I would confidently pick him over many/any of those - certainly not the bold ones

 

Waldron

Wright

Nicholl

Watson

Ruddock

Richards

Svennson Svensson ?

Monkou

Osman

[/color]

 

He wasn't available for selection when many of these were with Saints, and we generally played with TWO central defenders.

Given the defenders we had in the period 1996-2006..who would you have played as second CH instead ?

Edited 13 June, 2010 by david in sweden

[NickG]

not sure what you mean.

 

Point I was making, sorry if it wasn't clear, is that I would not personally class him as a legend as since I have been watching there have been about 7 or so better CBs for saints.

 

Nor does he come across as a "character" in the Charlie George, Benali, Golac etc.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

If he was that good, why did he only get 20 caps for Norway in his 10 odd years here? Wouldn't have taken a lot to have been a regular in Norway's team, would it? When he played alongside a leader he was ok. As soon as he had to offer that leadership himself he went missing. He's always seemed a bit thick to me.

[sadoldgit]

Fully agree. Claus was okay but ceratinly not a legend and had an awful season the season we went down.

[Noodles34]

Can you re-define legend.?

 

He is one of only 9 Saints players to have made over 400 apps. and the only non-British player ever to have done so.

 

He was a part of some of the best central defensive partnerships we've had in the last 30 years...and retained by a myriad managers whilst many others fell by the wayside.

 

Monkou / Lundekvam

Lundekvam / Richards

Lundekvam / Svensson

 

He also received a couple of horrific injuries " in the cause" and seldom shrank from a tackle. He also played over 40 games for Norway and captained them on several occasions in what was quite a good international side at the time. I think that speaks for itself.

 

While I don't condone any of his "off -field" misdemeanors, he is obviously a sad man with problems, but has my respect for his performances on it.

 

except the Boro equaliser in the 2 goal giveaway that got us relegated?

[Gorgiesaint]

Claus fined £500 with £100 costs for his assault back in April.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8230467.Lundekvam_pleads_guilty_to_assault/?ref=mr

[NickG]

shame - makes for a sad and pathetic figure.

[Master Bates]

Claus fined £500 with £100 costs for his assault back in April.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8230467.Lundekvam_pleads_guilty_to_assault/?ref=mr

 

Echo reporting at its finest:

 

Ms Rogers, who organised the Miss Southampton beauty competition, visited Lundekvam at his Chilworth house where he was in drink.

 

Which drink was he in? and where? the bath tub or the swimming pool?

[harvey]

--/

[harvey]

Echo reporting at its finest:

 

Ms Rogers, who organised the Miss Southampton beauty competition, visited Lundekvam at his Chilworth house where he was in drink.

 

Which drink was he in? and where? the bath tub or the swimming pool?

 

That's how they talked in the olden days.

[NickG]

Echo reporting at its finest:

 

Ms Rogers, who organised the Miss Southampton beauty competition, visited Lundekvam at his Chilworth house where he was in drink.

 

Which drink was he in? and where? the bath tub or the swimming pool?

 

don't think can blame echo for this one mate- its term used sometimes , often by lawyers, for being drunk.

Edited 22 June, 2010 by NickG

[Master Bates]

don't think can blame echo for this one mate- its term used sometimes , often by lawyers, for being drunk.

 

Guess we'll let them off then.

[saint boggy]

That's how they talked in the olden days.

you should know.

[harvey]

you should know.

 

Sink me Saint Boggy!!!!!!!!!, take that back or I shall give you a damned good thrashing I'll be bound.

[SaintRobbie]

Claus on drugs? Explains alot really.