MBK Posted 19 June 2007 Share Posted 19 June 2007 Btw in a similiar vein to MA not being mad dog, does anyone agree that Nielsen should not be called casino whatever, given the article below. Nielsen: How I kicked my gambling habit By Steve Pumfrey Leicester City's new goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has today talked about the £1million gambling addiction which nearly wrecked his career. Friend John Laden said that, as a youngster, Nielsen was hailed as “the new Peter Schmeichel - a young man with the footballing world at his feet.†Instead, Nielsen spiralled into an gambling addiction which ruined his chances of full international recognition in his native Denmark. Now, through a book he has co-written with Laden called “1000 on the Redâ€, Nielsen is helping others to come to terms with their problems. And the 29-year-old married father-of-two has vowed: “I will never let my family down again.†Speaking exclusively to the Mercury, Nielsen talked about the addiction which saw him lose £1million to bookmakers and casino owners. He said: “I have no problem talking about it. Telling others has helped me. I know many people with that problem and I don't think they are taking enough care. “I've helped a few guys too. Sometimes they have read the book. It's an honest book and it helped me a lot writing it. “I had some professional counselling. They were very good, but it was 100 times better for me to write the book. My heart is no longer heavy.†Nielsen, who made 398 consecutive appearances for Aalborg before joining City two weeks ago, said he started gambling as an 18-year-old. He had travelled to England a year earlier in 1994 to link up with Millwall, where he stayed for 13 months. “It was maybe, a little too soon for me,†he revealed. “I did not cope well with living alone and being by myself at such a young age.†He returned to Denmark and quickly settled into Aalborg's senior side. But, by then, the gambling had started. “It started not long after I came back from England,†he revealed. “I was 18 and starting to make a name for myself at Aalborg. “It was a small addiction at first but, as I earned more money, I started to gamble more. The more I earned, the more I spent until I was spending more on gambling than I made.†His career on the pitch, though, continued to blossom. He helped Aalborg to the Danish Superliga title in 1999 and was named goalkeeper of the year, a title he has won again since. That earned him Danish under-21 recognition. But he was banned from international football for several years after going to a casino at night during a training camp. It earned him the nickname “Casino Jimmy.'' By 2004, Nielsen had clocked up massive debts with bookies in Aalborg. Lynge Jacobsen, a club director, then offered him a way out. “He was a big support, and he was the first man who knew everything,†said Nielsen. Jacobsen helped Nielsen to clear his debts and then arranged for him to receive professional counselling. “Over an eight-month period, I spoke to a counsellor 10 to 15 times and now I don't gamble. I quit a few years ago.'' Nielsen added: “I would never let my family down again.†Laden said: “We have never done the numbers, but I think Jimmy has lost in the region of £1m but he has paid back every penny. He has not fully lived up to Peter Schmeichel on the pitch, but he is a fine and experienced goalkeeper. “He is also the best penalty-saver in Denmark. Leicester have got themselves a good goalkeeper.†*Midfielder Sergio Hellings, formerly on the books of Ajax and Anderlecht, was expected to complete his move to City later today. Manager Martin Allen said: “There were a few minor hitches about Sergio's contract, but they will be resolved today.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookwhaticando Posted 19 June 2007 Share Posted 19 June 2007 The Danes who so graciously popped over to tell us a few things about Jimmy certainly think we shouldn't call him CJ. Well, most of them did anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 The MKDons debate moved here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daggers Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 After 26 days in charge, City's new manager underlined his desire to improve standards on and off the pitch - and that includes the planting of blue, white and yellow flowers at the club's Belvoir Drive training base! That's what I talking about - City's very own Charlie Dimmock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zingari Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 That's what I talking about - City's very own Charlie Dimmock ray parlours let himself go a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEBIGJOHNSTEADER; Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 That's what I talking about - City's very own Charlie Dimmock Holy shit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AoWW Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 That woman really needs to get a bra. 'Tis not at all nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 That woman really needs to get a bra. 'Tits not at all nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simi Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 that includes the planting of blue, white and yellow flowers at the club's Belvoir Drive training base! I guess that solves the colour of the new away kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zingari Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 That woman really needs to get a bra. 'Tis not at all nice. i think we know who blocked the drains in durham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEBIGJOHNSTEADER; Posted 20 June 2007 Share Posted 20 June 2007 i think we know who blocked the drains in durham Now I really hate Ray Parlour, no thanks MA, I don't want killjoy Ray blocking my drains and flooding my laminate floors courtesy of Topps's Tiles. Thankyou please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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