Pedersen: I'll never regret staying at Blackburn Rovers
2:10pm Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
PROFESSIONAL footballer, businessman and pop star. There is more than meets the eye to Blackburn Rovers stalwart Morten Gamst Pedersen.
He arrived at Ewood Park from Norway as a relative unknown some eight years ago.
Now, approaching 100 international caps and more than 300 Rovers appearances, he is still going strong in his English career.
Loyalty is a rare commodity in today’s footballing world of big money, fast cars and agents, but Pedersen has shown more than most by staying faithful to the club who gave him his big break.
It is not as though he hasn’t had the opportunity to leave the club either.
Pedersen remains coy on links with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in the past.
But, with his trademark smile, he is the first to admit things could easily have been very different.
He said: “There are not many players who have stayed at a club for so long. The main thing is I have been playing all the time. There have been a few managers but I have played under every one.
“I am not going to say everything I know but I know there were clubs watching me and big clubs. At the time we did well here, we were two points from the Champions League.
“They offered me a new contract and maybe I showed some loyalty by signing.
“There is not so much loyalty in football, maybe I should have been like some other footballers and not be the best guy and left.
“But I have had a good time here, I never regret being here.
“I could have left under Hughes, there were offers. I could have left when I was with Sam Allardyce as well when I was a free transfer. I had loads of opportunities to leave here but I have had a good time here.
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money.
“I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs.
“I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia. I was excited at that moment at Blackburn though because we did well. Sam came in and we went up to 10th. We did well and I felt staying was the right thing to do.
“I liked Sam as the manager and he was a big part of that decision.
“I have always been treated well and I like the people. It has always been a family club from day once since I came in.
“People have always taken care of me and I try to pass that to other people coming in.”
The 31-year-old was one the first of the current crop to commit himself to the club following last season’s Premier League rele-gation and, contracted until 2014, he is desperate to be part of an immediate return.
Few would have predicted the career at Rovers that was to follow though when he quickly found himself on the fringes of things upon his arrival from Tromso.
“I signed on a Thursday night and made my debut against Manchester United on the Saturday,” he said. “Then I went with the national team and on Monday morning I got a call saying Souness has gone to Newcastle. I can’t use the word I said but I was thinking straight away, ‘What now?’.
“I returned and Tony Parkes was in charge for a game against Newcastle and I got subbed at half time. Then Mark Hughes came and in a game against Portsmouth I got tackled and I went off and Matt Jansen came on and scored.
“That was that, I didn’t play for three months.I was coming in and smiling every day though.
“I had played 20 months non stop without a break. Mark Hughes said I need to get used to the Premier League and I wasn’t ready for it.
“When I came back I did well and since I have been playing most of the games.
“It was a good time and extremely fun to play. The way we played I was like a wing/striker. I was always in the box. I would love to score more goals again but systems change. I am always involved in goals and that is a big part.”
Pedersen may not have regrets about still being Ewood but he can’t help looking back on his career and reflecting on a number of ‘what if’ moments.
Especially an FA Cup semi final against Chelsea, where Pedersen missed a golden opportunity to fire Rovers into the final.
“I don’t know how we didn’t beat Chelsea,” he said. “If that had gone in we would have won the game.
“This is a good club and has always treated me well. There have been ups and downs, we have been close to Champions League, in semi finals, and we have been relegated. There has been Europe.
“Relegation is the low point. That is not fun. We went down once with Tromso and it was a really tough time financially. We went straight back up again, kept every player.
“To win the league was a great feeling.
“If we got promoted here it would be one of the best moments. The Premier League is where we want to be. It is a big part of the club, we all know Blackburn are one of the few clubs to have won it.
“I will always be proud of saying I am from Blackburn and when I go back to Norway everyone knows I am a part of Blackburn because I have always been an ambassador for them.
“Of course I have had arguments with managers and players but it is not important for me to put everything in the press. Every manager knew what I was about and I would just be honest.
“I don’t agree with everything they do and they don’t agree with everything I think. But it is important we work together.
“It has not always been a song and a dance here. It has been tough at times but in the end I have had a really good time.
“There were times when I thought I might not be here but I never gave up. Even when I was out of contract I always gave everything because I won’t let my friends down.
“You want to give everything back to the fans who supported you. Blackburn will always have a special place for me.”
Pedersen has a range of interests away from football. He formed a Norwegian boyband The Players, alongside fellow footballers Freddy dos Santos, Raymond Kvisvik, Kristofer Hæstad and Øyvind Svenning, to release a hit single in aid of the Soccer Against Crime campaign.
He also has an active interest in property.
“Football has been a part of my life. I like other things, I have other companies back in Norway. I think it is important you have something else other than football,” he said.
“Too many players just sit and do nothing. There has to be a life after football and you have to be ready. I’m not saying you should take your attention away from football but you have to realise there is life after it.
“You have to look after your money, invest. I like property, I think it is very interesting and I am lucky to have people around me who do the same and I learn from that.
“I want to do things after football.
“Media is very interesting. I still enjoy my football and want to play for as long as I can stay fit though.”
Comments(41)
Come on u Blues
says...
2:50pm Mon 15 Oct 12
The measure of the man, he has the same birthday date as my daughter, obviously not the same year. By chance Pedders is her favourite player, this year I sent him a blank birthday card. He signed it and sent back, plus a picture of himself. Lets just say it made my daughters birthday - Top Man.
MxMave
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2:56pm Mon 15 Oct 12
givet82
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2:57pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler
says...
3:00pm Mon 15 Oct 12
And then you woke up.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
StLedge
says...
3:35pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:You're an idiot!
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...." And then you woke up. Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
GAZHAY
says...
3:39pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:What a muppet you are!!!!
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...." And then you woke up. Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
RUinsane
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3:45pm Mon 15 Oct 12
handsj14
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3:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12
janus1947
says...
3:55pm Mon 15 Oct 12
GAZHAY wrote:He's probably a mate of Saville, after all he's from the same county. The name gives it away
FannyTickler wrote:What a muppet you are!!!!
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...." And then you woke up. Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
whittleblue
says...
3:56pm Mon 15 Oct 12
SilverFox424
says...
4:13pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:What a complete fool you are !
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...."
And then you woke up.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
MGP is a credit to himself and the club, you cannot say that about many
peely
says...
4:25pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Rovers1975
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4:34pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:****
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...."
And then you woke up.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
Whydidtheybanme?
says...
4:41pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:Pr!ck
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...."
And then you woke up.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
Good honest article from Peders - hope the form returns.........
forever blue and white
says...
4:57pm Mon 15 Oct 12
FannyTickler wrote:A bit different then being a legend at mummy and sisters bedtime eh Fanny!
“There was loads of interest and I had loads of offers. I could have gone to loads of places. I could have earned more money. I could have gone to different leagues, I could have gone to other Premier League clubs. I had offers from every big league in Europe, I had offers from Asia...."
And then you woke up.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, a legend in his own bedtime.
Go and drag your knuckles on the floor somewhere else.
Gazzrover
says...
5:05pm Mon 15 Oct 12
I also think this maybe a little dig at Shebby to give him a bit of respect after Shebbys comments about him
merlinrabbit
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6:02pm Mon 15 Oct 12
toz73_asfc
says...
6:12pm Mon 15 Oct 12
i am sometimes embaressed to say i support rovers coz of DIVS like you lot...
steve kean...??? before he was forced out we was top of the league pushing for prootion, look a us now, VENKYS!!!!!!!!!!!! appoint someone now for f**k sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kazluvsrovers
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6:24pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Lets hope you are given the chance to show the fans again just how brilliant you can be.
OnePostThenTheOther
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6:37pm Mon 15 Oct 12
willhelmrover98
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8:15pm Mon 15 Oct 12
level
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8:50pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Brfc24138931
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10:01pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Watershadow
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10:37pm Mon 15 Oct 12
globetrot
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10:37pm Mon 15 Oct 12
globetrot
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10:38pm Mon 15 Oct 12
SimonGarner
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11:54pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Loyal to the end, keep at it.
RespectTheK-Dog
says...
1:12am Tue 16 Oct 12
Yes it has.
It has always been a huge joke at Blackburn. Especially now in these exciting times.
Roverthere
says...
4:48am Tue 16 Oct 12
SimonGarner wrote:Is this the End? it could be!
Gamst is a good lad...
Loyal to the end, keep at it.
alphajono
says...
7:21am Tue 16 Oct 12
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bburnrover
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8:56am Tue 16 Oct 12
Justjes
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9:04am Tue 16 Oct 12
walshy2866
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9:55am Tue 16 Oct 12
Went on a little too much about his chances to leave etc , just took the edge off a player who I've always admired for his loyalty, but the Scandinavians do tend to ramble on.
He'll always be remembered for that winner against the inbreds in the cup, right in front of their fans.
Hope he gets a chance to recapture his form this season, because for me he is still a different class that most of that squad.
eddie the eagle
says...
12:24pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Rovers 1495
says...
12:57pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Watershadow wrote:Post it on his site, he'll read that ...
MGP do you know how truly rare you ar? You gave us loialty when others turned away from us. You spoke out and said you were staying when others left for bigger clubs. You will never read this I know but I have to say thank you for being one of the very few who know what loialty means.
http://gamst.co.uk/e
n
greenscreener
says...
1:58pm Tue 16 Oct 12
eddie the eagle wrote:How wrong you are to question his commitment. Nobody at Rovers covers more ground than MGP. Even when he's having a bad day, and sometimes his distribution in open play is just awful, he always does more than a shift.
Lifes a bit to easy for Pedersen,he has good skills but cant' beat a man and lacks pace.He always looks like there is more to give but the will to go the extra mile is'nt there.
If you are looking for lack of will then look to the 'captain'.
Jansen_10
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3:39pm Tue 16 Oct 12
I do still have nightmares of that miss against Chelsea though!!
Major Tom
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3:50pm Tue 16 Oct 12
midas
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4:20pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Champagne for Avriwun
says...
10:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Roversmad says...
2:33pm Mon 15 Oct 12