Glenn Helder
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Glenn Helder | ||
| Date of birth | 28 October 1968 | ||
| Place of birth | Leiden, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | 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 | ? | (?) |
| 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) |
| National team | |||
| 1995 | Netherlands | 4 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Glenn Helder (born 28 October 1968) is a former Dutch footballer who played as a winger. Helder was a product of Ajax Amsterdam's youth system, who played for Arsenal together with clubs in Holland's top flight being Sparta Rotterdam, Vitesse Arnhem and NAC Breda as well.[1]
Career
Born in Leiden, Helder played for Sparta Rotterdam as well as Vitesse Arnhem of the Eredivisie before joining Arsenal on 14 February 1995, making his debut in a 1–0 home win against Nottingham Forest on 21 February. He was the final signing made by George Graham, who left a week after his arrival. Helder with Arsenal made 27 league appearances plus 12 as a substitute, with him scoring his solo goal for the club which came in a 3–2 win over Middlesbrough[2][1] In late 1996, just after the appointment of Arsene Wenger as manager, Arsenal sent him on loan to Benfica where he sustained a serious injury. Returning to the club, he found that he had been replaced by Marc Overmars in the summer of 1997 and was thus unable to break back into the first team.[1]
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. Soon afterwards he returned to Breda in a second spell at the club before moving on to MTK Hungária FC of Hungary. He returned home to trial with FC Dordrecht, of which proved to be unfruitful. Helder eventually signed for RBC Roosendaal in 2000 with him ending his career at that of TOP Oss in 2003.[1]
In an interview in 1999 he stated that during his stay at NAC he tried to commit suicide because of problems resulting from compulsive gambling.[3] However, he continues to gamble, and is sometimes seen playing poker on the British Five television station, representing the Netherlands.[4] He also represents Arsenal in Masters Football tournaments.
In July 2006, Helder made a surprise appearance for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp's final ever game, a testimonial against Ajax.
In his Dutch international footballing career, Helder earned four caps altogether for the Ons Oranje.[5]
Personal life
Subsequent to his retirement from the game, Helder took up music and is currently an experienced and well known instrumentalist especially in the role of a percussionist.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Glenn Helder:Profile". Arsenal.com.
- ↑ Benkley, Stephen (13 January 1996). "Helder holds court". London: The Independent. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ↑ Kuper, Simon (30 May 1999). "Helder gambled with his life". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ↑ Glenn Helder: Hendon Mob Poker Database
- ↑ "Glenn Helder:Profile". Ons Oranje.nl.
- ↑ "Glenn Helder: Percussionist". Hard Soul.nl.