Going to Valhall with Fairclough

Hi.
Already down to 12 days left! Time is flying... Work, work, work - welcome to my world. I can’t say I'm bored - never been - impossible to be bored in this business. But stressed... Oh yeah!

I had a good phone chat with Liverpool legend David Fairclough yesterday afternoon. The ex Anfield striker has been a friend for years, a very friendly man; always have time for a chat or a cup of coffee if I come to Liverpool.
Not going to speak about the career of David Fairclough, but he is a legend at Liverpool F.C and his most famous goal came in 1977 against St Etienne at home (quarter final European cup).
For those who need to wipe some dust of their memory cabin, here's a fact file of 'Super Sub': http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/fairclough/

Unfortunately for 10KingsPoker.com, David Fairclough has had to change his plans on the 7th of October. Instead of playing poker, he has to do commentary for LFC.tv when Liverpool reserves face Man Utd reserves. He will come down to the casino after the game though, and our guests will all get the chance to meet him.

Speaking about Fairclough and his good contacts in Norway, I'd like to tell you a story which goes back to February 2006. We were in Oslo discussing a supporters union event, and we scheduled a few meetings with supporter clubs etc. It might surprise a few people, but Fairclough is a very good friend of Kjetil Siem (ex director of Vålerenga and Norwegian Topp Football.) Both have a fantastic network of contacts, and their friendship goes way back. That afternoon Fairclough and I got invited to Valhall (indoor stadium in Oslo) to watch Vålerenga play Hammarby in the Royal League, as Kjetil Siem's VIP guests. I had never met Siem previously, but I've always liked the fella for his charisma, direct approach and he's not afraid of showing feelings.
But listen, I knew Kjetil Siem as a man with close links to the football federation and the national betting company. So I can't say Fairclough's intro of me did me any good. 'Hey Kjetil. Say hello to Allan Aasterud - he works for an online bookmaker company, a real competitor of Norsk Tipping'.
Ha-ha! A fantastic start, or what? Nope... I don’t think Kjetil Siem spoke a single word with me that night.. No, just kidding - fair play to both Fairclough and Siem - I enjoyed spending time in their company. And I did behave. Sort of.

Btw, I met Egil 'Drillo' Olsen, and this was long back before he entered the poker world. Through his good friend and agent, Gunnar-Martin Kjenner, I had previously e-mailed them the main reasons why I wanted our company to sponsor Drillo. The latter was definitely interested, but nothing happened. (A year later, a competitor signed up Drillo.) I just remember Drillo said this to me: Are you a Allan? I thought you were Danish!? For God’s sake, Drillo – I wrote you a document of two A4 pages. Danish? Is my writing really that bad?

While Fairclough was busy writing autographs to supporters, talking about Liverpool and posing in front of the supporters' cameras, I enjoyed a few beers and a very nice buffet. (Well done, Vålerenga - your team isn’t too much to write home about, but the VIP service has always been spot on.)
The match itself ended with a 2-1 win to Vålerenga... Quite boring pre season football, played indoor.

After the game I realized there were a few Swedes in VIP lounge. And this big fella.. Never seen him before. I didn’t hear him talk, just smiling, shaking hands with other guys and lining up for a picture with Fairclough...
Hmm... Swedes... They are funny people... They have come a long way for a boring Royal League game, I thought. And got defeated too.

Anyway, I thought it was time to make a move downtown again; to sum up today’s action and wish Fairclough a safe journey back to UK.
Kjetil Siem must have read my mind. 'Aasterud and Fairclough, follow these gentlemen - there's a taxi waiting for you. Thanks for coming and see you again soon.'

We should follow the 'Swedes'.. Ok, off we go.. It was February, freezing cold and lots of snow. We rushed through the "TV & Media corner", got out of the stadium and made a short cut over to the parking lot. The big guy in front of me... and Fairclough behind me. Hmm.. So let's strike up a conversation. I'm curious what these Swedes were doing here in Oslo. And let's speak English, so David understands him too...
Allan: So how are you, mate?
The big guy: Oh fine... and yourself?
Hmm.. Friendly guy... Not much of a Swedish accent there..
Allan: Boring match, cold weather - but I'm good, thanks.
The big guy: The match was boring. No surprise. So you know Fairclough, right?
Allan: Yeah. A good guy, enjoyed a few business meetings today. Football and beers, never a bad mix although I'm not any fan of Vålerenga...

I continued... while Fairclough must have realized I was kind of lost :-)
Allan: So why are you here on a cold Tuesday night watching boring football?
Fairclough: Allan...
The big guy: You mean, what I do here?
Allan: Yeah... Hammarby fan?
Fairclough: Allan... He is..
The big guy: Ha-ha.. No mate, I'm not Swedish. I just own Vålerenga... !!
Allan turned red faced very quick...

Hmm... What Fairclough actually wanted to say was that .. "Allan, the big guy in front of you is actually Tor Olav Trøim."

Mr. Trøim is the 'right hand' of multi billionaire investor John Fredriksen, who is a mega giant in the shipping world and happens to own Vålerenga Football.

Some key rules for doing networking:
- Pay attention to the people around you
- Make sure you know who they are
- Think before you speak

No harm was done, Trøim is a cool guy and a bunch of us went to downtown Oslo for a few drinks. Later I found out that he was a Man Utd fan! Aaargh, that's an impossible mix; Vålerenga & Man Utd. Speaking about the devil. Ha-ha.
Despite Trøim being a very busy man, well respected and hugely successful, I will definitely try my best to invite to one of future 10KingsPoker tournaments in the UK. Next time I will for sure know his name when this big guy walks through the door! Ha-ha.

Have a nice day.

Allan
www.10KingsPoker.com