Now it seems that, after a career between the sticks, former Denmark shot-stopper Thomas Sorensen has become restless and wants to make up for his relative inactivity. This summer, the 39-year-old will cycle 3600 miles across the USA to raise money for a Danish children’s charity. Joined by his wife Maria and a support team, he will head through ten states in 52 days, from Oregon to New Hampshire.
“I knew I was coming to the back end of my career. Two years ago I started developing this idea about a cycling trip across the USA,” Sorensen said in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
“I took the decision last summer when I signed my last contract with Stoke. Part of those negotiations were that I would offset some of my wages to cover the cost of the trip so that every penny that came in would go directly to the kids and nothing on expenses.
Obviously I’ve used this year to prepare, football has been my first priority all the way through. I feel very good going into the summer.”
With just six rest days on the trip, Sorensen will average around 85 miles per day, with some severe terrain on the way. The Rocky Mountains stand in his way, and at the peak of his journey he will climb to around 3000 metres.
“It’s a serious undertaking and I’ve got a support crew of three people, a mechanic, a masseur/chiropractor and a cycling coach as well,” Sorensen said. “It has to be done properly and I feel really ready. We’ve prepared well, but a lot of things can happen!”
Around 30 friends and family will help raise awareness for the charity, and Sorensen’s effort, by joining the goalkeeper and his wife at varying stages of the journey. But it is only he and Maria who will make the full crossing, with the incredibly varied North American landscape sure to offer up some memorable moments.
“Going through Wyoming, the ‘wild west’, going into Jackson Hole and riding through Yellowstone National Park, it’s going to be pretty special,” a clearly excited Sorensen said. “I just want to make sure we’ve got the bear spray with us in case we get chased out! All the great plains, the scenes from ‘Dances With Wolves’ and everything. There’s going to be a lot of history there, with Native American reservations and rodeos
Some have wondered whether Sorensen’s playing career is history too, but it seems the Dane, despite his incredible undertaking this summer, is optimistic about continuing his playing days after leaving Stoke City.
“I’m obviously considering my options,” Sorensen said. “Taking the decision to do the bike trip is a stumbling block for some things as I’ll be cycling when others are coming back for pre-season and everything.
But I’ll come back tremendously fit, probably the best shape I’ve ever been in. I feel like I have a lot to offer. If that opportunity is there then I could see myself playing for another couple of years. If it doesn’t then I’m well aware that might be the end of it.”
Either way, the Dane can already look back with pride on an impressive career. His achievements include over 12 years of service to his national team, appearing at Korea/Japan in 2002 and South Africa 2010, as well as representing Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke in the English Premier League. At the beginning of his time with Denmark, he was handed the gloves by the legendary Peter Schmeichel.
“I think from the beginning I tried to not imitate what [Peter] had done but do things my own way, be my own person,” Sorensen said.
“I think I got a lot of respect for that. With time I established myself and created my own persona instead of being the guy that came after Peter Schmeichel.
“It was great, first of all, being in Japan (in 2002) - they staged a great World Cup. We played tremendously well, beat the reigning world champions France.
The England game (going out in the Round of 16) was a big disappointment for everyone, but in total we had a great trip and it was probably one of the best Danish teams I’ve played in. That side had a lot of really big players, everyone was at the top of their game, playing at big clubs. It’s definitely one of the highlights of my career, for sure.”
Sorensen recalls the 2010 finals as “a disappointment”, with Denmark heading out after the group stage, but he thinks the future is brighter for the country, starting between the sticks with Peter’s son Kasper. “I know him very well, he’s one of my good friends, so I can tell you he’s a different person to his dad, very down-to-earth,” Sorensen said.
“He’ll be very successful as well. It’d be great if he could play for the next ten years and get close to his dad’s record (of 121 caps).
"As for the team in general, now all of the development work that has been done in Denmark is coming through.
Christian Eriksen has taken on the leading role and I think they’re going in the right direction. Hopefully now they’ll qualify for the EUROs and I think you’ll see Denmark back to their best come the next World Cup. I think they’ve got a bright future.”
And thanks to Sorensen, the future will look bright for hundreds of children at home in his native Denmark as well as his adopted country England, thanks to his remarkable journey this summer. KidsAid help children admitted to hospital during their stay, ‘to bring joy and smiles during these frightening experiences'.
“I think it’s important to lead the way and inspire people because some people do listen and take notice,” Sorensen said of his charitable venture.
“Everyone can help. It doesn’t need to be as huge as what I’m doing. People can help on a daily basis. If everyone just does a little bit, it goes a long way. Hopefully this can get people thinking about doing their own thing.”
--fifa—
