I've been to Whitley Bay. It's a great place but it's very cold

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Unofficial Newcastle United Football Club BBS : One Thread

Helder in the Journal.

---------------------------

FOOTBALL may be a religion on Tyneside and Sunday's FA Cup semi-final will see more than 30,000 black-and-white worshippers make what has become an annual pilgrimage to Wembley. However, for Portuguese international Helder it will be another uncomfortable day in the life of a deeply religious sportsman as he forgoes a Catholic church service for football. "Portugal is a very religious country and I am very serious about Catholicism," said the classy central defender. "I would rather not play football on a Sunday but it is very difficult for me to avoid. I don't go to church in England because of my job but my friends and family understand." Not surprisingly Helder's hero is not Eusebio, Pele or team-mate Alan Shearer but a religious figure respected and revered throughout the world. "I really admire the Pope," added the quietly-spoken Newcastle star. "He is a very strong person and an example to us all." Should United get past Chelsea and reach a third final in three years, they will not have to look far for someone to lead the post-match celebrations. Helder - Helder Mariano Rodrigues Cristovao, to give him his full name - is a student of Portuguese and Spanish guitar and he added: "It's what I like to do most of all in my spare time but it's the traditional music I prefer - not rock or jazz. "It's difficult for a foreigner to find things to do in a new country straight away when you don't know the area or the people. I spend time with my family and I'm thinking about buying a computer." Helder lives with his partner Guida and two-and-a-half-year-old son Flavio and the family will be glued to their television as Newcastle walk out at Wembley to face their London rivals. The former Deportivo La Coruna defender's relations back home in Estoril will also watch the game live and no doubt his bosses in Spain will be keeping a close eye on the player they allowed to leave on loan this season. "My older brothers both live in Portugal and one plays in the Second Division over there, while the other works in the removal business. All three of us used to play together and Estoril is a big footballing town. "I also used to play volleyball and basketball when I was younger but all I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. I suppose if you are good at one sport you are usually good at others but there was no choice when I had to decide which one to pursue." Helder joined Estoril's youth system as a teenager and was soon snapped up by Benfica. His performances throughout Euro 96 ensured a big money move to Spain but a bad injury saw him sidelined for most of last season and only Bobby Robson's eye for a bargain rescued the experienced centre-half from another campaign on the sidelines. "I was surprised when Deportivo allowed me to join Newcastle on loan and I am still getting used to life in England," added Helder. "Everybody says this but the weather is the biggest difference between here and Portugal or Spain. In Portugal we have very good weather and the days are longer. You can do more in a day and the pace of life is much more relaxed. "In England I have a good house and my family are here so I have been able to settle down quicker than most. "What I miss most about Portugal and Spain is beach life. Both Estoril and Coruna are on the coast and I used to enjoy spending the afternoons resting on the beach. "I've always played my football near the beach and that's still the same now - I've been to Whitley Bay. It's a great place but it's very cold." Helder has been courted by Europe's top clubs for most of his career and when fit has always been an automatic choice. On Sunday he faces the biggest challenge of his career, even before he can consider taking on Chelsea, with no fewer than five players chasing two centre-back berths. "It is tough," said Helder. "But competition can only help the club and whoever plays will do a good job."

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

Answers

I saw that this morning. Seems a decent chap and he's even been to Whitley Bay, bit of a change from Estoril. Seems like he'd fit in nicely for a few years if Bobby decides to keep him.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

Call me suspicious but....

Helder lives with his partner Guida and two-and-a-half-year-old son Flavio

Sounds like he's got a child outside of wedlock to me....deeply religious my arse!

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000


Still depresses me. Ultimately he's saying he'd prefer to play elsewhere. I suppose we have to accept that most players from sunnier climes will struggle to settle in the North East and certainly wouldn't go there as first choice. What are our tactics then? Be very selective with these types, and make sure they're coming for the right reasons, or avoid them totally? I suppose you don't have to love the place wholeheartedly to play good football, and Helder has proved that as have others. But sooner or later the desire to move on will effect their game, and whingers in squads will also effect others. Is it worth trying to sign him permanently?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

Has your penis ever become very small at WB. God that water was cold.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

Hey Dodgy.....it always was.....didn't have to go to WB for that phenomena to occur.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000


Come on ITK; one phenomenon, two phenomena - or have you got something we haven't got (BBC English?)? ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

No BBC not English....the BBC is British, or supposed to be, as we keep getting told!

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2000

Moderation questions? read the FAQ