– Hello, “Papi!” I just wanted to tell you that you have become a grandfather now.
The phone call from South Africa has burned into Per Mathisen’s memory.
It was Emille Baron who called him. He had just become a father for the first time. He wanted to tell the Norwegian who was closest to him.
The man who had taken care of him in Norway. The man who saved him from several scandals. And not least, the man who took him into his own family.
Because when things stormed at their worst around Emille Baron, it was usually the then chairman of Lillestrøm Sports Club, Per Mathisen, who came to the rescue.
IMPORTANT MAN FOR LSK: Per Mathisen has been an important supporter for Lillestrøm for a number of years. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen
He does not hide that Baron liked to have fun, which several times resulted in negative newspaper reports.
“Baron punished for noise in the city” and “Baron in trouble” are just some of the titles that were written in Norwegian newspapers.
It was at home with him, his wife Ayna, children Yvonne and Morgan, as well as the dog Cindy, that Emille Baron found peace.
Mathisen felt a responsibility for the young goalkeeper. After all, he was only 19 years old when Lillestrøm brought him from South Africa.
– Eventually the relationship between Emille and our family became so close that he lived with us for a period. He also celebrated Christmas with us one year. We tried to include him, says Mathisen to TV 2.
– He called our children sister and brother.
THE FAMILY: Emille Baron with Per Mathisen’s children Yvonne and Morgan. The dog Cindy has also made her way into the picture. Photo: Private.
Mathisen also helped Baron buy a house and take driving lessons.
For twelve years, Mathisen was chairman of the board in Lillestrøm. He has also been one of the club’s most important financial supporters over the past 20 years.
Through his company Åkrene Mekaniske Verksted, he has sponsored the club for a number of years. He has also financed several player purchases and spent large sums on the club’s training facilities.
WARM: It was at home with the Mathisen family that Emille Baron found peace. Here with Ayna and the dog Cindy, whom Baron named Lion. Photo: Private.
– Very sad
Like the rest of Fotball-Norge, Per Mathisen woke up on Saturday to TV 2’s case about what Baron’s life is like today.
He was aware that the former LSK hero has been struggling, but he did not know how bad things actually were for him.
– It is very sad. I have been somewhat informed about his situation, but it has been a few years since the last time. It’s just a shame and sad, says Per Mathisen to TV 2.
– He was a good boy and I still think he is. I have to say that the pictures I saw in the case, they were tough to look at.
CHANGED: – He was an athlete. Emille was not among those who trained the most, he was a natural talent, says Per Mathisen about Emille Baron. Photo: Frode Hoff / TV 2
He is moved by how the LSK community quickly mobilized and started a spiel for Baron. Mathisen himself has contributed a considerable sum.
At 19:00 on Saturday, over NOK 600,000 had been collected for the former LSK goalkeeper and his family. Money LSK and the Kanari fans together will ensure that it comes forward.
– It says a lot about the LSK environment, but it also says a lot about Emille’s status in the club. I have given a little myself too. I spent a lot of money on that boy when he was here, but there was no compulsion in it. It was something we wanted to do, we thought he was a great boy, says Mathisen.
VISIT: TV 2 visited Emile Baron in Johannesburg in February. Photo: Frode Hoff / TV 2
Hope Baron understands that many people are thinking of him
When TV 2 met Baron in Johannesburg in February, he spoke frankly about periods of depression and attempts to take his own life.
Mathisen hopes the involvement can make life easier for Baron and his family.
– I hope that Emille understands that there are many people who think of him and care. I hope he can think about the fact that he has two sons, who he can perhaps have a little better opportunity to follow up, and be a good father to.
– It is important that he sees that he has good friends in the LSK environment and those he has met along the way.
CLUB HERO: Emille Baron won a place in many LSK hearts during the period he played for the yellow jerseys. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB
Got the silver for Baron
Mathisen has a memory full of Baron stories, but there are a few moments that stand out.
Among other things, when LSK came second in the series and were awarded silver medals.
– He came up to me and said that I should have the medal. He believed that he would never have received that medal if it wasn’t for me, says Mathisen, who still has the medal at home.
He also remembers very well when Baron came and told him that he could not stay long in Lillestrøm.
– His big dream was to play for Liverpool. He expressed that quite clearly to us, that he was not going to stay long in Lillestrøm, because of that.
