Lutz Pfannenstiel Talks To Vital

Lutz Pfannenstiel is a formrer Reds trialist and although he didn’t quite make it here, he did make a success of his football career elsewhere. Lutz is set to enter the record books as the first player to play on all five continents. He tells us about how he actually died on a football pitch whilst in England, as well as his time in prison for match fixing in Singapore. He also explains why Bradford is a good holiday destination.

1. Exactly how many teams and how many countries have you played in to date.

If you include loans, short term deals as well as non contract deals I have played for 19 teams in 12 countries, but I could be wrong and forgot something

2. What are your best memories of Nottingham.

Definitely that I had the honour to train with players like Stuart Pearce, Brian Roy, Steve Stone and many others. I loved the city and always will remember New Years Eve spending with Seamous Mac with his family at his pub, the Hemlock Stone.

3. Can you tell us about the Bradford Park Avenue injury and how you received it. How long were you out of football for.

It was a freak injury, but very typical for my career. I only remember the clash and that I saw black and white moving, it was weird. The next real thing was that I woke up in Bradford Hospital. I remember nothing what happened on the field which is good as I was not scared of playing pretty soon after that incident. The first thing I said after waking up in hospital was if we won the game and 1 hour later I said to the manager Trevor Storton (former Liverpool player) if he lets me play the next game in 2 days time. He did not….I was out for 3 weeks only. I seriously believe that i had an after death experience…..Thanks one more time to physio Ray for keeping me on the planet.

4 Do your team mates have a nickname for you. (probably ‘Lucky’ after the game for Bradford PA).

I had many nicknames, but in England they usually just called me “the German.” Lucky would not be a good name for me….trust me.

5. Best and worst moments football wise.

Best moments were definitely the Asian champions league games in front of huge crowds like for example in iran. in front of 100,000. Worst moment was definitly the sad Singapore story, something which will follow me my whole life. It was a very hard time, but I believe I learned a lot about life. It definitly made me a appreciate the simple things in life.

6. Out of all the clubs you’ve played for which one is your favourite.

I have the closest feeling to Baerum SK in Norway where I had 2 stints and its very possible I might well go there again. The people in the club are like my 2nd family. Bradford PA always will be special as I literally died for that club and I was proud about that.I hope my friends in Yorkshire wont forget me. Also Otago United which is managed by Terry Phelan is very close to my heart. Forest is a team which I started to support after I left Nottigham and I am still a big Forest supporter.

7. Have you any ambitions left to fulfil.

Definitely, I want to break the record to have played on all football continents. Only South America left. It all looks like ‘the German’ is heading to Brasil in December, fingers crossed!

8. You more than anyone should be able to recommend a good place to go on holiday.

Where would that be. It depends on what’s your personal taste, but Vancouver is a great place. Singapore is top class for shopping, but to relax and to fish a Norwegian mild summer is a dream….but never forget about Bradford..a very special place.

9. What’s next for Lutz Pfannenstiel.

As I mentioned above Brasil looks very likely, but in the future I want to work as a coach or an agent.Football is the only thing I ever did and I truly love and I cant imagine to work ouside of football.

10. And finally Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston.

Definitely Angelina, not because she’s georgous, but Jennifer Aniston is not my cup of tea at all.

Thanks very much to Lutz for taking the time out and answering the questions. On behalf of everyone at Vital, we’d like to wish him good luck with the rest of his career. Lutz Pfannenstiel, top bloke!