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Beat Kindler, emblematic goalkeeper of Lausanne between 1991 and 2003, might not miss the centenary festivities. It evokes one of the loves of his life.
Beat Kindler poses in front of the Sainte-Catherine gouille, on the heights of Lausanne, where the LHC lived its first hours.
DR
Beat Kindler was naturally part of the delegation which went on pilgrimage on Thursday in the official LHC bus, on the banks of the Sainte-Catherine gouille. It was there, at an altitude of 900 meters above Lausanne, that an ice rink was built in 1902, before being closed down in 1939 – it was better to plant potatoes in those days. The former Bernese goalkeeper, who has not left the region since his arrival from Lyss in 1991, takes a look at the scene with emotion. The LHC will be exactly one century old on January 23 and for the man nicknamed the Marsupilami, that means a lot.
the LHC which completes its first century, what inspires you?
A club that lives 100 years is extraordinary in itself. And as I participated a little bit in this story (to smile), that means even more to me. Finding myself there (Editor’s note: on the edge of the Sainte-Catherine gouille, where Lausanne hockey had its first hours), to think that there was an ice rink here, it’s incredible – especially when you think of the Vaudoise arena. It is a great pride for me to be part of thiseclub, so loved here in Lausanne.
What’s so special regarding this club?
When I left Lyss for Lausanne (note: in 1991), I was already told that I was joining a big club – even if the two teams were then playing in the LNB. I imagined that the LHC was a cor cike the others, but no… I discovered a club that arouses incredible love among people and supporters. Despite all the shit we’ve been through, for years people were still there regardless. This shows how much the LHC is in the hearts of the people of Lausanne and Vaud. I experienced a lot of emotions here, good or bad.
“Everything I have known here, from the bottom of my heart, no one can take it away from me”
How does it feel to see your jersey hanging for life above the kop?
As I said once more yesterday (note: Wednesday) to my wife, it’s still a real pride to be elected among the six legends of the club, it’s huge for a guy like me, who comes from where he comes from. This jersey removed, it did not allow me to pay for the food. But that means a lot. And all that I have known here, from the bottom of my heart, no one can take from me.
What were the worst and best times?
I’ll start with the worst, so it’s done. The worst for me was in 2001, when Thomas Östlund arrived (note: Swedish goalkeeper transferred from Friborg by coach Riccardo Fuhrer). I had been dismissed and that had affected me enormously. It remains like a big wound for me, almost a feeling of betrayal. It’s hard to feel like you don’t trust someone anymore.
It’s hard, there are so many… There is the rise of 1995 in LNA of cours, one moment extraordinary. It was crazy to share this success, this euphoria with all the people. But once more, great memories, there are many, with the 9000 spectators of Malley.
And today, what is your view of the life of the club?
A lot of things have changed and as everyone knows, I’m not too much in tune with this story of extreme professionalism. But you have to deal with it, that’s how it is. I hope that one day the club will find the right path, with people who are committed for the long term.’institution. Like everyone in Lausanne, I would like the LHC to once once more reach the top of the hierarchy. But for that, everyone has to pull in the same direction.