Bærum SK

Bærum Sportsklubb is a Norwegian football club founded 26 March 1910. It is currently playing in the Norwegian Second Division and is chasing promotion to the first division.

History

The club was formed as "Grane Fotballklubb", but quickly changed its name to "Grane Sportsklubb" to include different sporting codes. The club changed its name to "Idrettslaget Mode" in 1946 after a merger with "Sandvika Arbeideridrettslag". It took its current name in 1969. The club comes from Kadettangen in the town Sandvika, the administrative centre of the municipality Bærum outside Oslo. The club's finest hour took place in 2004 when the team beat Vålerenga 3-2 in the third round of the Norwegian Cup.

Bærum have won Norwegian Championships in ice hockey, team handball and bandy, but now operates as a football-only club. The team plays in yellow shirts and black shorts. The away strip is all-white. The club now plays at Kadettangen, the club's spiritual home, after having played its home games at Nadderud stadion for more than 30 years.

Recent seasons

The 2005 season ended with the club landing a disappointing 4th spot in the 2nd Division table behind Sparta Sarpsborg, S.K. Vard Haugesund and Notodden F.K.. In December 2005 coach Arild Stavrum left the club after only one season in charge to take over 2005 Cup winners Molde FK. Jarle Hellesnes was appointed new head coach after Stavrum's departure. In 2006 Bærum secured second place in the league, two points behind Notodden.

The 2007 season was a disappointing one for the club. After good results in pre-season warm-up games and several good signings, the club was rated among the favourites for promotion. However, the team almost collapsed when real points were at stake. The club finished in sixth place, 19 points behind promoted Hødd. The only highlight during 2007 came when the team outplayed and beat Ham-Kam 2-0 in the second round of the Norwegian Cup. Ham-Kam were top of the Norwegian First Division and unbeaten away from home at the time the game took place. Coach Jarle Hellesnes resigned before the season was over, with the resignation taking effect after the last game of 2007. Tomi Markovski, a former youth player for the club, who had led Asker from Division 3 to second place in Division 2 is the club's new head coach.

Notable players

Famous players from the club include Lars Bohinen, Vidar Davidsen, Christer Basma and Thomas Finstad. Most Bærum supporters, however, more fondly remember loyal club legends such as Thomas' father Bjørn Finstad, Kåre Martin Johnsen, Jan Wærø, Tor Vikenes, Steinar Hope and Jostein Johannessen. One of the first Africans in Norwegian football, Peggy Joof from Gambia, played for the club in the 1980s.

2007 squad

External links

* [http://www.baerumsk.no Official site] no icon