Glenn Helder

Glenn Helder (born 28 October 1968) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger.

Glenn Helder
Personal information
Full name Glenn Helder
Date of birth (1968-10-28) 28 October 1968
Place of birth Leiden, Netherlands
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Oranje Groen
UVS
Ajax Amsterdam
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1993 Sparta Rotterdam 93 (9)
1993–1995 Vitesse Arnhem 52 (12)
1995–1997 Arsenal 39 (1)
1996 → Benfica (loan) 11 (1)
1997–1998 NAC Breda 3 (0)
1998 Dalian Wanda FC 0 (0)
1998–1999 NAC Breda 3 (0)
1999–2000 MTK Hungária FC 9 (1)
2000–2002 RBC Roosendaal 0 (0)
2002–2003 TOP Oss 10 (1)
2009–2010 DOTO 3 (0)
Total 223 (25)
International career
1995 Netherlands 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He notably played in the Premier League for Arsenal, in the Eredivisie for Sparta Rotterdam, Vitesse Arnhem and NAC Breda. He also played in Portugal for Benfica, in China with Dalian Wanda FC and in Hungary with MTK Hungária FC before finishing his career back in the Netherlands with RBC Roosendaal, TOP Oss and DOTO. He was capped four times by the Netherlands.

Since retirement, he has been a professional Poker player, musician, welder and stand-up comedian.

Playing career

Born in Leiden, Helder played for Sparta Rotterdam and Vitesse Arnhem of the Eredivisie before joining Arsenal on 14 February 1995. He made his debut for Arsenal in a 1–0 home win against Nottingham Forest on 21 February 1995. Helder was the final signing made by Arsenal's then manager George Graham, who left a week after Helder's arrival. Helder made 27 league appearances for Arsenal, plus 12 as a substitute, and scored a solo goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Middlesbrough.[1][2] In late 1996, just after the appointment of Arsène Wenger as manager, Arsenal sent Helder on loan to Benfica where he sustained a serious injury. On his return, Helder found that he had been replaced by Marc Overmars, who signed for Arsenal in the summer of 1997. Helder was unable to break back into the first team.[2]

Helder then moved to NAC Breda in his native Netherlands and, after a short spell there, he went to play in China for Dalian Wanda FC.[3] Soon afterwards he returned to Breda for a second spell at the club before moving on to MTK Hungária FC of Hungary. He then returned home to trial with FC Dordrecht, which proved to be unfruitful. Helder eventually signed for RBC Roosendaal in 2000 and two years later moved to TOP Oss. He retired one year later.[2] In July 2006, Helder made a surprise appearance for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp's final game, a testimonial against Ajax.[2] Helder appears regularly in Masters footballing tournaments and soccer clinics.[4][5]

International career

In his Dutch international footballing career, Helder earned four caps altogether for the Oranje.[6]

Personal life

In a 1999 interview, Helder stated that during his stay at NAC he tried to commit suicide because of problems resulting from compulsive gambling.[7] However, he continues to gamble, and is sometimes seen playing poker on the English Five television station, representing the Netherlands, most notably in the PartyPoker.com Football & Poker Legends Cup.[8]

After his retirement from professional football, Helder took up music, gaining recognition as a percussionist.[9] He also became a stand up comedian.[10]

References
  1. Benkley, Stephen (13 January 1996). "Helder holds court". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  2. "Glenn Helder:Profile". Arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016.
  3. "英文名: Glenn Helder". sodasoccer.com. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  4. "Wigan Athletic legends return for charity match". ITV.com.
  5. "Glenn Helder bij voetbalclinic van Heroes for Heroes in Bergen op Zoom". Bndestem.nl (in Dutch).
  6. "Glenn Helder:Profile". Ons Oranje.nl. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016.
  7. Kuper, Simon (30 May 1999). "Helder gambled with his life". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  8. "Glenn Helder: Hendon Mob Poker Database". Pokerdb.The Hendon Mob.com.
  9. "Glenn Helder: Percussionist". Hard Soul.nl.
  10. "Oud-voetballer Glenn Helder vol humor en zelfspot". Metro Nieuws.nl (in Dutch).
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