December 14, 2023 • 9 mins
Dennis Bergkamp was one of the greatest footballers of his generation. By his early 20s, he was a star in the making. But in 1995, Bergkamp's contract negotiations with Arsenal hit a snag when the club learned about his greatest fear - a serious phobia that threatened to disrupt Dennis' football career.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
It's July nineteen ninety four.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
The Dutch national team have just been knocked out of
the FIFA World Cup in the USA. After topping their group.
The Netherlands comfortably defeated Ireland two nil in the round
of sixteen, but the quarterfinals was where their campaign ended,
losing three to two to eventual champions Brazil.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
It was a grueling match.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
In the heat of Dallas, Dutch striker Dennis berg Camp
is exhausted off the back of a difficult season for
his club in Italy. Dennis was spent physically and mentally.
All he wanted to do was go home, But sitting
in his hotel room after the game, Dennis felt sick.
(00:51):
He started trembling. Thoughts of the flight back to Amsterdam
filled him with panic. He basically had to drag himself
onto the plane. This was the beginning of something that
would change dennisburg Camp's football career, a fear of flying. Hey,
(01:17):
welcome to the ballroom where we celebrate the winners, losers
and the weird stuff between.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'm Tony Armstrong.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Dennisburg Camp was one of the greatest footballers of his generation,
and his talent was clear to see from an early age.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
He was just eleven years old when he joined the.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Youth academy at Ayas, the most successful club in the Netherlands.
The young striker eventually worked his way up to the
senior team, becoming a regular starter. By his early twenties,
he'd won a league title and back to back Dutch
Player of the Year awards.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Dennis was a star in the making.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
In nineteen ninety three, he moved to Italy, signing with
Inter Milan for seven pounds, an absolute steal by today's standards.
It was especially good business given the nineties were very
lean years for Inter, but they'd managed to lure one
of the most exciting talents in world football. Dennis Bergkemp
(02:37):
could have easily gone to Juventus or Barcelona, where trophies
were almost guaranteed, but into Milan's style of play and
club culture buddy him over. Dennis's first year in Italy
was a challenging one. Into Milan struggled in the league,
finishing thirteenth on the table. The only silver lining was
(02:58):
winning the Yue for Cup. Then came USA ninety four.
Dennis was already a key player for the Dutch national team,
but not even his brilliance could overcome a classy Brazilian side.
He helped his team fight back from Touneil down drawing level,
but a cracking free kick sealed the win for Brazil
(03:20):
and booked the Netherlands on the next flight home, and
that's when aviophobia, a fear of flying began to emerge
for dennis burg camp. Upon boarding the plane from Dallas
to Amsterdam, Dennis's body felt heavy, like it was made
of lead. It was only when the plane had taken
(03:42):
off and climbed above the clouds that the feeling began
to subside. When he finally got home, Dennis was so
tired that he slept for two days, but still a
general feeling of exhaustion lingered. Preseason training was due to
(04:03):
commence in just ten days, and Dennis asked into Milan
if he could take some extended leave, but his manager
wasn't having it. Dennis pleaded, but no exceptions would be made.
After a medical checkup, Dennis was cleared for training and
as the new season got under way, he was soon
required to fly for matches around Italy, often in small
(04:25):
propeller planes. As Dennis recalled, this was not an enjoyable experience.
They were those nasty little planes that stay in the
clouds and shake all the time. When you looked out,
all you could see was white or gray. Dennis began
(04:45):
to low the way matches. He'd be looking up at
the sky during games, dreading the flight home. It was
impacting his football. He had to do something. Dennis flew
a few more times until he just couldn't take it anymore.
I saw that bone shaker with its propellers standing on
(05:05):
the runway, and I broke out in a cold sweat.
Dennis decided that he'd never fly again. For him, it
was the right thing to do. He felt a weight
lifted off his shoulders, his anxiety subsided, and his football improved,
and most people were understanding. But Dennis's choice to remain
grounded wasn't without its challenges. In nineteen ninety five, Dennis
(05:34):
Berghamp was set to join English club Arsenal. He was
excited about moving to North London and playing in front
of the fans at Highbury Stadium, but contract negotiations hit
a snag when Dennis declared that he was unable to
fly for domestic games. This wouldn't be a major issue,
but for European Cup matches. It meant that unless Dennis
(05:55):
could easily reach the destination by train, he'd be staying
at home. Arsenal respected his decision, but it also meant
Dennis would be unavailable to play in some of the
most important fixtures on the calendar. So the club cut
his wages. If I said a million, Dennis explained, they
automatically deducted one hundred grand. But Dennis didn't care as
(06:20):
long as he didn't have to board another plane ever again.
He'd go to any length to travel to as many
games as possible, whether by car, train or ferry. If
he had to leave a few days earlier to make
it to a match in time, he'd do it. On
the pitch, Dennis was lighting it up, scoring goals and
(06:41):
helping Arsenal win games, but the mystique around him only
grew among fans when his occasional absence from away matches
caused confusion.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
But Dennis was open.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
About his phobia. I've got this problem and I have
to live with it. I can't do anything about it.
It's a psychological thing and I can't explain it. Fortunately,
Arsenal and even the Dutch national team, where overseas travel
was unavoidable, was sympathetic, but the same couldn't be said
of the media. Dennis's phobia was regularly called into question.
(07:15):
He was told he should do something to cure it,
like taking a special course. That annoyed Dennis. There were
even rumors he was afraid of trains two, which he dismissed.
Why has my fear of flying been turned into.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
This soap opera? Surely it isn't such a big deal.
I'm sick of it. It was frustrating, but he tried
to let his football do the talking.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
That's what endeared him to the fans, his sublime skill
and a deadly eye for goal.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Dennis was affectionately named the non flying Dutchman.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Many origin stories have been told about Dennis Bergham's fear
of flying. Separate incidents that speculation says may have contributed
to his phobia engines briefly cutting out midflight, a bomb
thread on board, and a tragic nineteen eighty nine plane
crash where fifteen Dutch footballers were among those who died.
(08:14):
But following his retirement from the game, Dennis made it
clear in his biography it all started in the summer
of nineteen ninety four with those tiny propeller planes in Italy.
When asked about how his aviophobia impacted his ability to play,
(08:35):
Dennis responded, when I stopped flying, it freed me. Dennis
Berghamp finished his career as an Arsenal legend after more
than a decade with the club, a rarity in modern football.
He helped the Gunners to three Premier League titles and
a bunch more trophies eleven years, four hundred and twenty
(08:58):
three games and one hundred and twenty goals. He may
be the non flying Dutchman, but Dennis still reached summer
football's greatest heights. Thanks for hanging out in the poolroom.
(09:30):
This has been an iHeart production. We're going to take
a break for a few weeks, then I'll be back
with more cracking stories.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I'm Tony Armstrong and I'll speak to you soon.
It's July nineteen ninety four.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
The Dutch national team have just been knocked out of
the FIFA World Cup in the USA. After topping their group.
The Netherlands comfortably defeated Ireland two nil in the round
of sixteen, but the quarterfinals was where their campaign ended,
losing three to two to eventual champions Brazil.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
It was a grueling match.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
In the heat of Dallas, Dutch striker Dennis berg Camp
is exhausted off the back of a difficult season for
his club in Italy. Dennis was spent physically and mentally.
All he wanted to do was go home, But sitting
in his hotel room after the game, Dennis felt sick.
(00:51):
He started trembling. Thoughts of the flight back to Amsterdam
filled him with panic. He basically had to drag himself
onto the plane. This was the beginning of something that
would change dennisburg Camp's football career, a fear of flying. Hey,
(01:17):
welcome to the ballroom where we celebrate the winners, losers
and the weird stuff between.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'm Tony Armstrong.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Dennisburg Camp was one of the greatest footballers of his generation,
and his talent was clear to see from an early age.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
He was just eleven years old when he joined the.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Youth academy at Ayas, the most successful club in the Netherlands.
The young striker eventually worked his way up to the
senior team, becoming a regular starter. By his early twenties,
he'd won a league title and back to back Dutch
Player of the Year awards.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Dennis was a star in the making.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
In nineteen ninety three, he moved to Italy, signing with
Inter Milan for seven pounds, an absolute steal by today's standards.
It was especially good business given the nineties were very
lean years for Inter, but they'd managed to lure one
of the most exciting talents in world football. Dennis Bergkemp
(02:37):
could have easily gone to Juventus or Barcelona, where trophies
were almost guaranteed, but into Milan's style of play and
club culture buddy him over. Dennis's first year in Italy
was a challenging one. Into Milan struggled in the league,
finishing thirteenth on the table. The only silver lining was
(02:58):
winning the Yue for Cup. Then came USA ninety four.
Dennis was already a key player for the Dutch national team,
but not even his brilliance could overcome a classy Brazilian side.
He helped his team fight back from Touneil down drawing level,
but a cracking free kick sealed the win for Brazil
(03:20):
and booked the Netherlands on the next flight home, and
that's when aviophobia, a fear of flying began to emerge
for dennis burg camp. Upon boarding the plane from Dallas
to Amsterdam, Dennis's body felt heavy, like it was made
of lead. It was only when the plane had taken
(03:42):
off and climbed above the clouds that the feeling began
to subside. When he finally got home, Dennis was so
tired that he slept for two days, but still a
general feeling of exhaustion lingered. Preseason training was due to
(04:03):
commence in just ten days, and Dennis asked into Milan
if he could take some extended leave, but his manager
wasn't having it. Dennis pleaded, but no exceptions would be made.
After a medical checkup, Dennis was cleared for training and
as the new season got under way, he was soon
required to fly for matches around Italy, often in small
(04:25):
propeller planes. As Dennis recalled, this was not an enjoyable experience.
They were those nasty little planes that stay in the
clouds and shake all the time. When you looked out,
all you could see was white or gray. Dennis began
(04:45):
to low the way matches. He'd be looking up at
the sky during games, dreading the flight home. It was
impacting his football. He had to do something. Dennis flew
a few more times until he just couldn't take it anymore.
I saw that bone shaker with its propellers standing on
(05:05):
the runway, and I broke out in a cold sweat.
Dennis decided that he'd never fly again. For him, it
was the right thing to do. He felt a weight
lifted off his shoulders, his anxiety subsided, and his football improved,
and most people were understanding. But Dennis's choice to remain
grounded wasn't without its challenges. In nineteen ninety five, Dennis
(05:34):
Berghamp was set to join English club Arsenal. He was
excited about moving to North London and playing in front
of the fans at Highbury Stadium, but contract negotiations hit
a snag when Dennis declared that he was unable to
fly for domestic games. This wouldn't be a major issue,
but for European Cup matches. It meant that unless Dennis
(05:55):
could easily reach the destination by train, he'd be staying
at home. Arsenal respected his decision, but it also meant
Dennis would be unavailable to play in some of the
most important fixtures on the calendar. So the club cut
his wages. If I said a million, Dennis explained, they
automatically deducted one hundred grand. But Dennis didn't care as
(06:20):
long as he didn't have to board another plane ever again.
He'd go to any length to travel to as many
games as possible, whether by car, train or ferry. If
he had to leave a few days earlier to make
it to a match in time, he'd do it. On
the pitch, Dennis was lighting it up, scoring goals and
(06:41):
helping Arsenal win games, but the mystique around him only
grew among fans when his occasional absence from away matches
caused confusion.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
But Dennis was open.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
About his phobia. I've got this problem and I have
to live with it. I can't do anything about it.
It's a psychological thing and I can't explain it. Fortunately,
Arsenal and even the Dutch national team, where overseas travel
was unavoidable, was sympathetic, but the same couldn't be said
of the media. Dennis's phobia was regularly called into question.
(07:15):
He was told he should do something to cure it,
like taking a special course. That annoyed Dennis. There were
even rumors he was afraid of trains two, which he dismissed.
Why has my fear of flying been turned into.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
This soap opera? Surely it isn't such a big deal.
I'm sick of it. It was frustrating, but he tried
to let his football do the talking.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
That's what endeared him to the fans, his sublime skill
and a deadly eye for goal.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Dennis was affectionately named the non flying Dutchman.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Many origin stories have been told about Dennis Bergham's fear
of flying. Separate incidents that speculation says may have contributed
to his phobia engines briefly cutting out midflight, a bomb
thread on board, and a tragic nineteen eighty nine plane
crash where fifteen Dutch footballers were among those who died.
(08:14):
But following his retirement from the game, Dennis made it
clear in his biography it all started in the summer
of nineteen ninety four with those tiny propeller planes in Italy.
When asked about how his aviophobia impacted his ability to play,
(08:35):
Dennis responded, when I stopped flying, it freed me. Dennis
Berghamp finished his career as an Arsenal legend after more
than a decade with the club, a rarity in modern football.
He helped the Gunners to three Premier League titles and
a bunch more trophies eleven years, four hundred and twenty
(08:58):
three games and one hundred and twenty goals. He may
be the non flying Dutchman, but Dennis still reached summer
football's greatest heights. Thanks for hanging out in the poolroom.
(09:30):
This has been an iHeart production. We're going to take
a break for a few weeks, then I'll be back
with more cracking stories.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I'm Tony Armstrong and I'll speak to you soon.
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