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Claus delighted with Saints farewell
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| Claus Lundekvam |
Claus Lundekvam said he leaves Saints a happy man after his emotional farewell against Celtic last night.
Just under 19,000 fans turned out at St Mary's to see Gordon Strachan's Scottish champions defeat Jan Poortvliet's young side 2-0 meaning the big Norwegian should recoup all of the £250,000 he forked out to stage his testimonial which drew a line under his 12 seasons at the club.
Lundekvam, watched by family, friends and former teammates such as Antti Niemi and Wayne Bridge, came on for the final eight minutes of the game to a rapturous reception.
But after struggling through even that short spell with the ankle injury that has forced his retirement and having had the chance to say his proper goodbyes to the fans he adores he left the stadium satisfied.
He said: "There are no loose ends.
"I can be walking away now very happy and I have no second thoughts about it now.
"This is my goodbye and I'm very happy with how it's turned out to be.
"I know now it was absolutely the right decision to retire and for my head that was important too. I couldn't do this any more.
"I wanted to have that little competitive game again.
"I was straight into it, looking at the back four, pushing up and down.
"It's not as good fun when you can't move as well as you'd like to though but I wanted to do it for the last time."
Full story: See today's Daily Echo.
2:13am Saturday 19th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Billy 2 Baps, Waiting for my Whistle on 3:53am Sat 19 Jul 08
Claus you are a legend who is going to be missed, Thank you so much for organising last night so we could give you a proper send off.
Claus you are a legend who is going to be missed, Thank you so much for organising last night so we could give you a proper send off.
Posted by: ozzy saint, adelaide on 4:49am Sat 19 Jul 08
Well done Claus,you are a Saints legend.Hope everyone had a great night.Did the Celtic fans create a good atmosphere and behave themselves not like their rivals.Cant wait for the new season bring on Cardiff
Well done Claus,you are a Saints legend.Hope everyone had a great night.Did the Celtic fans create a good atmosphere and behave themselves not like their rivals.Cant wait for the new season bring on Cardiff
Posted by: daren on 7:19am Sat 19 Jul 08
i agree was a great night ,shame more didn,t turn up i was in the cetic end and was aparty atmosphere right till the end aas ever as will fuham will be today (on my way soon!!)
and yes we were well behaved and stayed right til the end to acknowledge claus , well done you will miss him hail hail
i agree was a great night ,shame more didn,t turn up i was in the cetic end and was aparty atmosphere right till the end aas ever as will fuham will be today (on my way soon!!)
and yes we were well behaved and stayed right til the end to acknowledge claus , well done you will miss him hail hail
Posted by: andy, maybush on 8:49am Sat 19 Jul 08
You were a true saint claus. Thankyou for being so loyal to our club. you will go into the saints legends hall of fame.Maybe someone at sms will give you a coaching job!! GOOD LUCK AND THANKYOU.
You were a true saint claus. Thankyou for being so loyal to our club. you will go into the saints legends hall of fame.Maybe someone at sms will give you a coaching job!! GOOD LUCK AND THANKYOU.
Posted by: Mick, warsash on 10:01am Sat 19 Jul 08
My first visit for 3 years and i was not dissapointed, felt the thrill of live football again. I will be coming back. Thank you Claus
My first visit for 3 years and i was not dissapointed, felt the thrill of live football again. I will be coming back. Thank you Claus
Posted by: Chris, Soton on 10:19am Sat 19 Jul 08
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?
Posted by: gerry, bournemouth on 11:03am Sat 19 Jul 08
Another great party night with the celtic fans theyre friendly ,boisterous, vocal,loyal,and can behave themselves anywhere,unlike theyre local rivals,and the saints fans (who turned up)were equally as vocal ,great night and good luck to klaus.[[quote]quote[/quote]
Another great party night with the celtic fans theyre friendly ,boisterous, vocal,loyal,and can behave themselves anywhere,unlike theyre local rivals,and the saints fans (who turned up)were equally as vocal ,great night and good luck to klaus.[
quote
Posted by: brizlllll, premier on 11:20am Sat 19 Jul 08
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
Posted by: ossiesaint, at the bar on 11:24am Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]brizlllll[/bold] wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans[/quote] Big house in Chilworth ocean going Yacht 3 years full pay for nothing, thats why I did not go!
brizlllll wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
Big house in Chilworth ocean going Yacht 3 years full pay for nothing, thats why I did not go!
Posted by: Mark on 12:15pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Good match, i think it was more of a competitive friendly but the match was for one made person
GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU CLAUS.
Good match, i think it was more of a competitive friendly but the match was for one made person
GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU CLAUS.
Posted by: Mark on 12:16pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Mark[/bold] wrote:
Good match, i think it was more of a competitive friendly but the match was for one made person GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU CLAUS.[/quote] I meant made for one person
Mark wrote:
Good match, i think it was more of a competitive friendly but the match was for one made person GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU CLAUS.
I meant made for one person
Posted by: Saint on 12:48pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Good night!
Good to see you and Svensson back together again! Only wish it could be for the coming seasons.
Claus you are a Saints legend! Don't stay away, and lets hope the club can find a position for you. Or get on sky next to Le Tiss and get that useless big nose scouse off the panel!
Good night!
Good to see you and Svensson back together again! Only wish it could be for the coming seasons.
Claus you are a Saints legend! Don't stay away, and lets hope the club can find a position for you. Or get on sky next to Le Tiss and get that useless big nose scouse off the panel!
Posted by: Bill, Southampton on 4:31pm Sat 19 Jul 08
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium).
Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium).
Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....
Posted by: welcome, Romsey on 4:33pm Sat 19 Jul 08
ossiesaint, or should that be the green eyed monster. fantastic night for everyone lucky to be there. The testimonial committee organised a truly amazing night, they should all be very proud of themselves.
ossiesaint, or should that be the green eyed monster. fantastic night for everyone lucky to be there. The testimonial committee organised a truly amazing night, they should all be very proud of themselves.
Posted by: the Truth Master, in the Real World on 6:51pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]brizlllll[/bold] wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans[/quote] Mmmm, dont tell me, let me guess, you are an inbred, pikey, skanky, fish-fuck1ng skate!
Typical pompey tw@t!
"small town"? Southampton is a city and its larger than your sh1thole of a place!
"10,000 jocks turn up? What a nobhea@d you are. Once a again typical skate bullsh1t! You must be related to that other waste of space crew 657.
"here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans" - translate please.
brizlllll wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
Mmmm, dont tell me, let me guess, you are an inbred, pikey, skanky, fish-fuck1ng skate!
Typical pompey tw@t!
"small town"? Southampton is a city and its larger than your sh1thole of a place!
"10,000 jocks turn up? What a nobhea@d you are. Once a again typical skate bullsh1t! You must be related to that other waste of space crew 657.
"here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans" - translate please.
Posted by: saints fan, southampton on 6:57pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]brizlllll[/bold] wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans[/quote] Can tell you weren't there you tw*t as about 2,500 celtic fans turned up which is still great for a friendly!! Where did you get your 10,000 jocks turning up from. about 16,000 saints fans where there and we made up for the ones who couldnt be bothered to say thanks to claus great atmosphere good game. Be ashamed those people who call them selves saints fans!!!!
brizlllll wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
Can tell you weren't there you tw*t as about 2,500 celtic fans turned up which is still great for a friendly!! Where did you get your 10,000 jocks turning up from. about 16,000 saints fans where there and we made up for the ones who couldnt be bothered to say thanks to claus great atmosphere good game. Be ashamed those people who call them selves saints fans!!!!
Posted by: Neil, Bitterne Park on 8:31pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Chris[/bold] wrote:
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?[/quote] Chris.
I totally agree.
Me and my lad had a great time.... was also glad no one was sat in my seat in the Northam.
My dedication was also on the 1st dedication page of the program as well which was nice.
Chris wrote:
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?
Chris.
I totally agree.
Me and my lad had a great time.... was also glad no one was sat in my seat in the Northam.
My dedication was also on the 1st dedication page of the program as well which was nice.
Posted by: Neil, Bitterne Park on 8:34pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]brizlllll[/bold] wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans[/quote] Fish anyone?
10,000 jocks? where did you get that info?
Still, 19,000 and you get SO MANY more for a prem game dont you NOT.
brizlllll wrote:
what a disgrace from a small town in hampshire 10,000 jocks turn up 9,000 sa-nts disgrace sorry claus here you had to pay for the pitch as well and you are out of pocket about somes them up fans
Fish anyone?
10,000 jocks? where did you get that info?
Still, 19,000 and you get SO MANY more for a prem game dont you NOT.
Posted by: Ken Jeans, Highcliffe,Dorset on 9:22pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Chris[/bold] wrote:
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?[/quote] I totally agree Chris what more do you need to get you to come,this man has been as important as Matt Le Tiss to this club,it was a privilege to have been there.I hope this doesnt put "killer" off signing again! I have my ticket and will be supporting my team for the 64th season.
Chris wrote:
19,000 is a disgrace! Any Saints fan that didn't go last night should be ashamed of themselves. Where were the 10,000+ that came to the Shef Utd game?
I totally agree Chris what more do you need to get you to come,this man has been as important as Matt Le Tiss to this club,it was a privilege to have been there.I hope this doesnt put "killer" off signing again! I have my ticket and will be supporting my team for the 64th season.
Posted by: saintsteve on 9:24pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Claus, you deserved much better. Interesting to see Celtic fans causing bother among themselves and a few of them being ejected early on. Add to this the airing of their terrorist songs and its a real conundrum as to why the press give them such an endorsement - I suspect collusion.
Claus, you deserved much better. Interesting to see Celtic fans causing bother among themselves and a few of them being ejected early on. Add to this the airing of their terrorist songs and its a real conundrum as to why the press give them such an endorsement - I suspect collusion.
Posted by: Sean O'Rourke on 9:10pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]about 16,000 saints fans where there ????[/bold][/quote]
that is rubbish as we wer given 6,000 tickets and yes we sold out (by the way biggest away support ever in that stadium) also there wer many celtic shirts amongst the southampton fans.
although you did not have a lot and it is not good no selling out your stadium as you say he was a legend but your a decent bunch
oh yer we were not fighting amonst our selfs some women brought in a Portsmouth flag and we pulled her out so that should clear it up for you
about 16,000 saints fans where there ????
that is rubbish as we wer given 6,000 tickets and yes we sold out (by the way biggest away support ever in that stadium) also there wer many celtic shirts amongst the southampton fans.
although you did not have a lot and it is not good no selling out your stadium as you say he was a legend but your a decent bunch
oh yer we were not fighting amonst our selfs some women brought in a Portsmouth flag and we pulled her out so that should clear it up for you
Posted by: jude carter-murphy, southampton on 8:33am Mon 21 Jul 08
a great night claus, well done to the celtic fans for turning up in force, bhoys you are welcomed at st marys any time
a great night claus, well done to the celtic fans for turning up in force, bhoys you are welcomed at st marys any time
Posted by: celtic daz on 8:48am Mon 21 Jul 08
we (celtic) took nearly 12,000 to fulham on saturday now thats dedication for you and the only thing that started the rival singing was the saints fans singing god save the queen
we (celtic) took nearly 12,000 to fulham on saturday now thats dedication for you and the only thing that started the rival singing was the saints fans singing god save the queen
Posted by: Murphatsoton, Southampton on 11:40am Mon 21 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium).
Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....[/quote] It was the saints fans that began the racist chants and as a joke one of the Celtic fans raised a Pompey Flag. That's when it got a bit pushy. I was born and raised in Soton but if can't take a joke you should be a Saints supporter, [bold]after all you only have to look at the boardroom.[/bold]
Bill wrote:
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium).
Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....
It was the saints fans that began the racist chants and as a joke one of the Celtic fans raised a Pompey Flag. That's when it got a bit pushy. I was born and raised in Soton but if can't take a joke you should be a Saints supporter,
after all you only have to look at the boardroom. Posted by: Kate, Andover on 1:49pm Mon 21 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium). Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....[/quote] I agree, they didn't do them selves any favours. Getting thrown out at a friendly - that's clever!
I didn't hear the chanting that led to the ejections but we had a lot of Celtic fans in our stand who were generally behaving like idiots.
It's not like there wasn't any room in the Northam end, why sit with us and cause problems? Surely it's best to sit with your own fans??
Anyhoo, I'm glad it was such a good night for Claus and great to see the old faces like Franny & LeGod!!! You can tell he's now played for a while!! LOL!!
Bill wrote:
A good game, marred only by the sectarian and racist chants from some Celtic fans (which resulted in a number of them being forcibly removed from the stadium). Celtic football team may be a decent bunch, but their fans are obnoxious, big-headed thugs, as you may witness from some of the responses (to come!) to this post ....
I agree, they didn't do them selves any favours. Getting thrown out at a friendly - that's clever!
I didn't hear the chanting that led to the ejections but we had a lot of Celtic fans in our stand who were generally behaving like idiots.
It's not like there wasn't any room in the Northam end, why sit with us and cause problems? Surely it's best to sit with your own fans??
Anyhoo, I'm glad it was such a good night for Claus and great to see the old faces like Franny & LeGod!!! You can tell he's now played for a while!! LOL!!
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