From Anfield to salmon fishing - Vegard Heggem's story
Vegard Heggem stands in the River Orkla, shin deep in water, fishing for the Atlantic salmon.
“It is a big fighter,” he says. “If you hook it your heart starts pumping straight away, it is so strong.”
The scene is a world away from the turf of Anfield and the challenges of Premier League football that were once the focus of the Norwegian’s mind, during his spell with Liverpool.
Heggem joined the club from Rosenborg in July 1998 and quickly adapted to life in England, making 61 appearances in all competitions during his first two seasons.
But injuries brought his progress to a cruel halt and the defender featured in only four more matches before bidding farewell to Merseyside and retiring from the game at just 28.
He returned home and it was on the banks of that same river, outside Trondheim, where a new and altogether different career opportunity presented itself.
“When I moved away to play football, I started to think about what to do when my playing days were over,” Heggem explains in episode three of new LFCTV series ‘Added Time’.
“I’ve got a passion for fishing, in particular salmon fishing, so the idea of opening a fishing lodge seemed like a great idea.
“I can’t imagine a better job now than being host for fishermen from all over the world that come here to hunt for Atlantic salmon.”
The former Red has been running Aunan Lodge for the past 13 years, and a little bit of Liverpool exists there too.
Visit the special cabin named Anfield and you find a collection of memorabilia from Heggem’s time at the club, which he refuses to remember anything but fondly.
“There wasn’t much I could have done differently,” he reflects.
“I was really unlucky with injuries. I did my very best to get back playing, I thought the club did everything they could to get me fit.
“But rather than be bitter or regretful about the games I didn’t play, I’d rather appreciate those games that I did play.
“I’ve scored in front of the Kop, what more can you really ask for?”
Episode three of ‘Added Time’ premieres on LFCTV at 7.30pm GMT on Monday, and catch up on the series throughout the week on our official channel and LFCTV GO.
