Sandefjord Fotball
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| Full name | Sandefjord Fotball | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Guttane (The Boys) | ||
| Founded | September 10, 1998 | ||
| Ground | Komplett.no Arena Sandefjord Norway | ||
| Capacity | 9 000 | ||
| Chairman |  Roger Gulliksen | ||
| Manager |   Patrick Walker | ||
| League | Adeccoligaen | ||
| 2007 | Tippeligaen, 14th | ||
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Sandefjord Fotball is a Norwegian professional football club, founded on September 10 1998. The club plays its home games at Komplett.no Arena, located in Sandefjord, Vestfold.
Reaching the Adeccoligaen (the 1st division) in 1999, the club made quick progress and soon settled as a strong competitor for promotion to the Tippeligaen (the premier league). Finishing third in the 1st division both in 2002 and 2003 they qualified for play-off matches, but lost both times. In 2004 they finished fourth, but the 2005 season finally proved a success. Placing second, Sandefjord earned automatic promotion to the highest division.
The club performed surprisingly well in their first Tippeligaen season, finishing 9th in the table and reaching the cup final. However, the 2007 season was a disaster and they finished last and were relegated to the Adeccoligaen.
Halfway through the 2008 season in the Adeccoligaen, Sandefjord Fotball occupy 3rd spot in the table with 31 points. New to this season in the Adeccoligaen is that the top three teams in the division earn promotion to the Tippeligaen and Sandefjord Fotball are currently on course to secure one of the promotion spots.
History
Sandefjord Fotball were formed by parent clubs IL Runar and Sandefjord Ballklubb in 1998. They replaced IL Runar in the 2nd division in 1999, and secured a promotion to the 1st division. The club made quick progress and soon settled as a strong competitor for promotion to the Tippeligaen. Finishing third in the 1st division both in 2002 and 2003 they qualified for play-off matches, but lost both times, against SK Brann and Vålerenga IF. The 2003 play-off was lost after some controversial decisions by referee Jonny Ditlefsen that all were in Sandefjords disfavor. After manager Tom Nordlie left after the play-off games, Sandefjord Fotball hired Arne Dokken as their new coach. He was fired after just one season. In 2004 they finished fourth, but the 2005 season finally proved a success, with Tor Thodesen as their new coach. Placing second, Sandefjord earned automatic promotion to the highest division, where they finished 9th in their first season.
The 2007 season ended badly and they finished last and were relegated to the Adeccoligaen. The players went to the board of directors together and requested the hiring a new coach. Instead of firing Thodesen, the board kept him. After a bad start of the 2008 season, they finally fired Thodesen and hired Patrick Walker. The team played better after this, and he moved the team from a relegation place to a promotion place in the table in eight games.
Colours and Badge
Sandefjord Fotball's colours are blue. They play in blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks. The club changed their badge before the start of season 2006. This was mainly for press purposes. The old badge had a yellow field as well as the blue and red. The new badge only has the colours red and blue.
Stadium
Sandefjord Fotball play their home games at Komplett.no Arena. Komplett.no Arena was opened July 21st 2007, and cost about 100 million NOK. This is an all modern stadium, with a capacity of about 9 000. Record attendance was set during the opening game versus FC Lyn Oslo July 21st 2007. 8 103 people attended this game. In the future it is planned to expand the stadium to a capacity of 12 500. Field measurements are 105 x 68 meters.
Before Sandefjord Fotball started to use their new home arena, Komplett.no Arena, they used to play their home encounters at Storstadion. Sandefjord Fotball played their home games at Storstadion from 1999 to 2007. As the stadium itself did not live up to the standards one could expect from a modern football stadium, it was finally decided to build the new and modern Komplett.no Arena and start a new and exciting chapter in the young clubs history.
Players
Current squad
As of August 25, 2008. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Players out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Youth squad
As of July 16, 2008. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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See also Sandefjord Fotball Reserves.
Current staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Patrick Walker
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| Assistant manager |  Kaz Sokolowski
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| Goalkeeping Coach | Hans Petter Olsen
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| Development Coach | Petter Lo Presti
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| Youth Development Coach | Morten Kampevold
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| Physio | Espen Strøm-Normann
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| Arbitrator | Tor Vidar Hem
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Notable former players
Despite the clubs tender age it has produced and developed the talents of players such as:
Jon Midttun Lie- Geir Ludvig Fevang
- Jørgen Jalland
- Magne Sturød
- Trym Bergman
- Jan Fredrik Bjørntvedt
- Frode Fredriksen
- Tommy Knarvik
- Vadim Demidov
- Tom Kristoffersen
Andreas Augustsson- Jacob Augustsson
- Andreas Tegström
Ole Tobiasen
Tomas Sobotzik
Adriano Munoz
Managers
- Trond Skrede 1999-2001
- Tom Nordlie 2002-2003
- Arne Dokken 2004
- Tor Todesen 2005-2008
Patrick Walker 2008-present
Supporters
Sandefjord Football supporters are called "Blåhvalene". They was established in 1999.
Records and statistics
| Accomplishment | Record |
|---|---|
| Best cup performance | Final in 2006 (lost 0-3 against Fredrikstad) |
| Best league position | 9. place in Tippeligaen 2006 |
| Most appearances | Samuel Isaksen (202 appearances) |
| Most goals in one season | Tom Helge Jacobsen (17 goals) |
| Most goals for the club | Tom Helge Jacobsen (59 goals) |
| Record attendance | 8 103 against FC Lyn Oslo July 21st, 2007 |
| Highest average attendance | 6 098 in Tippeligaen 2007 |
| Biggest league win | 9-1 against Vard Haugesund in 1st Division 2004 |
| Biggest league loss | 0-6 against Sogndal in 1st Division 2000 |
| Biggest cup win | 8-0 against Flint in 2002 |
| Biggest cup loss | 2-5 against Romerike Fotball in 2001 |
Local heroes at the team
Several players from Sandefjord and its vicinity have played for the club. For the time being it is only Fredrik Thorsen who is both a first team player and from Sandefjord. Past players such as Jon Midttun Lie, Geir Ludvig Fevang, Jan Fredrik Bjørntvedt and Vadim Demidov were all local lads from Sandefjord and played through the ranks of Sandefjord Fotballs parent clubs.
Honours
- Adeccoligaen:
- Runners-up (1): 2005
- Play-off (2): 2002, 2003
- Norwegian Second Division:
- Winners (1): 1999
- Norwegian Football Cup:
- Runners-up (1): 2006
Recent history
Season Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA Pts. Cup Notes 1999 2nd 1 22 13 9 0 59 21 48 2nd round Promoted to First Division 2000 AL 11 26 8 4 14 35 53 28 3rd round 2001 AL 7 30 13 5 12 59 54 44 2nd round 2002 AL 3 30 18 6 6 65 38 60 3rd round Lost play-off match to Tippeligaen 2003 AL 3 30 19 4 7 71 41 61 3rd round Lost play-off match to Tippeligaen 2004 AL 4 30 15 6 9 60 32 51 Quarter finals 2005 AL 2 30 19 5 6 58 37 65 3rd round Promoted to Tippeligaen 2006 TL 9 26 9 5 12 37 47 32 Final 2007 TL 14 26 4 4 18 26 53 16 2nd round Relegated to Adeccoligaen
References
- Template:No icon "NIFS.no - Statistics". Retrieved December 9.
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External links
- Official site (in Norwegian)
- Blåhvalane (The Blue Whales), official fanclub
- Webcam from the new stadium
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