Updates on Glimt

Discuss different Glimt-related topics in english.

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Updates on Glimt

Post by Kesseboy »

I suggest we keep a thread like this, so we can fill in some of the latest news on Glimt, in english. Doesn't have to be long bits, just to give a hint of the state of things.
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Post by Kesseboy »

So, I'll go first!

What's most notable of what's going on at the moment is the dire financial crisis at Glimt. Yesterday, a letter was sent out to every address [husstand, noen?] in Bodø, with a list of things that people can do to support Glimt at the moment. There are eight points, to be precice, and a lot of people have spoken out in anger on the discussion forum of the local newspaper, mostly due to the last point on the list being a bank check for people to contribute with money. EDIT: To be precise, Glimt need to raise NOK 3M before the end of the month, in order to obtain the "professional club licence" (profflisens in no.), which is a prerequisite to playing in either of the two top divisions. If the money is not raised and the matter resolved, Glimt will be moved into the 2nd division (3rd level), no matter what league position we might end in.

Glimt beat MS Oslo 5-1 on wednesday, after a performance that caused some controversy on this forum, with people disagreeing wether it was a good performance or not.

The upcoming match against Bryne on Sunday has also been subject to some media attention: as Glimt sold top goalscorer Håvard Sakariassen to Bryne earlier this season, there was a clause included in the transfer arrangement that Bryne would have to pay Glimt a seven-figure sum (in NOK) if Sakariassen plays against Glimt. The football association (NFF) is currently reviewing the matter, suspecting that the clause might be illegal.
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Post by Kesseboy »

Bad transfers is part of the reason, quite a few skilled players have left for nothing or very little. Attendances have been low, but not extremely low, and there haven't been many surges in attendances, they are usually pretty stable. The main problem, though, is that the club has been unable to deal with financial realities earlier -- the problems this season are a result of the inadequate financial efforts of earlier years. There has been a consistent over-reporting of income and a corresponding under-reporting of expences. This has been allowed to pass by NFF earlier, but this year the message was clear: everything must be accounted for, and the finances must be completely in order before the end of september.
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Post by ostogvin »

michzm wrote:Is there a chance they wont be able to make the money and be forced to go down or will there be other ways around it? ie is taking a loan out from a bank to cover it possible....there main sponser was a bank wasn't it???
There is a chance that there will not be enough money, in which case the team will loose the professional license, and be forced down to the third level. In our case down one division. I believe the 3 million NOK necessary will be raised, but the money will naturally not just magically appear.

The current management has taken this issue very seriously, so the situation has improved quite a bit. At the beginning of the year the club needed 10 million NOK in fresh money (or reduced expenses) to secure the license.
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Post by Kesseboy »

The main sponsor is a bank, that is correct, Nordlandsbanken (the Nordland bank), and they have been most gracious and helpful in aiding the club handle their day-to-day financial commitments. Problem is, however, that taking up a loan won't do any good as far as I've understood. One of the problems Glimt have, is that there is no financial reserve (egenkapital), that is -- the club has a sufficient liquidity to not be declared bankrupt, bud doesn't really have any money -- what is there to spend is what has come in recently. Loaning money would only contribute to this and further indebt the club in a way that isn't satisfactory with regard to the licence demands. Being forced down is a very real scenario, unfortunately.
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Post by Kesseboy »

We lost again yesterday, 2-3 against qualifying position rivals Bryne. Glimt fans were outraged by what they saw as unsportsmanly conduct by Bryne's Paul Oyuga, who also scored two goals. Among other things he was stalling for time and cheering in front of the home fans. Now Bryne and Glimt are at level points, but Glimt have a better goal difference, which puts us ahead.

In a game with plenty of heartbreaks, the most frustrating bit--as usual this season--is the way we concede way too easy goals. The defensive part of the game is without strenght and smartness, and we are also unable to capitalize on having the initiative throughout most of games. Where we need six-seven-eight chances to score one, the teams we play seem to only need a very few to get to two or three goals, which makes it kind of difficult to get anywhere.

Although the league table has AaFK at the top, with Strømsgodset in second, followed by Glimt and Bryne, the "local table" for the four top teams is currently like this:

Bryne 5 3 2 0 10-7 11
Godset 5 2 1 2 9-6 7
AaFK 3 1 1 1 5-4 4
Glimt 5 0 2 3 5-11 2

AaFK (Aalesund) is set to meet Bryne, Godset and Glimt in three consecutive games next month, and could easily be in trouble if they should come to lose all three, with the other teams maintaining a good form.

It's a tough job being a Glimt supporter these days, some fear that the qualifying position in the table is slipping, and that we'll be stuck in the Adecco League for at least another year, with all the frustrations and little or no TV coverage. The club has called an extraordinary meeting (årsmøte, anyone?) this friday, to discuss the long term financial strategy, among other things the possibility of taking up a loan (perhaps I was too quick to dismiss the idea in another thread).

On a brighter note, the club turns 90 this tuesday, and this was celebrated throughout the weekend in different ways. To top it all off, DGH (the Golden Horde) presented an excellent TIFO shown here http://www.svartsexy.net/random/90arstifo049ed.jpg (the crew behind it can be seen here http://www.svartsexy.net/random/90arstifo022ed.jpg) The text in the middle reads "real northern Norwegian pride", written in dialect. Especially impressive is the fact that the TIFO committee had their options limited as some of their material was lost due to (of all things) a de-railed train! Unfortunately, the celebrations were cut short as an attendance of 3693 saw Glimt put in a disappointing effort against the league rivals.
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Post by Kesseboy »

Just a brief update, since I should have gone to beed 7 hours ago -- the club's financial situation appears to be resolved. More to come!
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Post by Kesseboy »

What the public knows is just about the following:

The ongoing operation to obtain the NOK 3M needed to obtain a renewed professional club's license has brought in about NOK 900,000 so far, which really isn't bad. The operation will continue until the end of the year though. What really saves the day, though, is that Glimts main sponsor, Nordlandsbanken, together with the municipality (if that's the word for it, the local government) and some companies have provided assurance for a NOK 10M loan to Glimt. This is said to be ten-year term loan, one years exemption from payment, and with lucrative interest terms and so on. It allows Glimt to get rid of expensive short-term debt, and focus on developing the club, rather than running it from day to day.

We're not quite out of the woods yet, the remaining NOK 2,1M are still a necessity. The club isn't saved yet, but things are starting to look up.

Also, there is talk about a change in the sponsor structure. Nordlandsbanken goes from being the "main sponsor" to being what is called a "general sponsor", substantially increasing their spending on the club. Also, three other companies (stated: an energy company, a sports equipment manufacturer, and a mobile phone/tele company) are said to be "main sponsors" from soon, entering with what we can only hope is a substantial amount of hard cash for the club. The hitches, as far as I can see, are the following:

:!: In next year's budget, there is an income post of NOK 3.5M, labelled "transfers". This means that Glimt need to sell players to make the budget.
:!: As things are now, there will only be NOK 500,000 available to retrieve new players before next season, which might be a problem if we're promoted.
:!: One of the new sponsorships might involve selling out the stadium name, which some of us--me included--aren't too happy with.

PS: Just another small update, I don't know if this has been mentioned previously. Our star player, Runar Berg, in a display of generosity, handed out NOK 100,000 the other day.
:!: 50,000 to Glimt, his employer
:!: 20,000 to the childrens department at the local regional hospital
:!: 15,000 to Grand Bodø, a lower-division football club on the men's side, but with a pretty good women's side
:!: 15,000 to Bodø Håndballklubb, BHK, a local hand ball club
He was quoted by the local newspaper saying:
I feel that I can afford this. And it shouldn't be interpreted as me encouraging others to give anything. Everyone should do as he [or she] pleases.
NOK 15,000 might not sound like a huge amount, but particularly for the two latter clubs, who are at best semi-professional, it probably does a lot of good.
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Post by Kesseboy »

I'm not sure how these development leagues work in Australia, but in Norway player development happens along two paths. There are regional leagues for youth teams (such as ages 7-8, 8-9, and so on, up to junior level, I'm not sure about the upper age limit there), and there are the lower divisions. Glimt usually fields a lot of junior players with Glimts 2nd team, who at the moment plays in the 3rd division (4th level, that is). Some junior players are also loaned to teams in the 3rd or 2nd division for matching, and at the moment there are some Glimt players at 2nd division side Steigen.

Some teams have excellent facilities for developing young players, and historically Glimt aren't too bad. Over the last years there haven't been to many local players finding their way to Glimts first side, but quite a few young players have come to us from further away. Recently, it seems that some long-term planning and work has started to pay off, with quite a few Glimt junior players claiming places in the youth national teams. In any case, there aren't a lot of huge talents around--perhaps due to the fact that there aren't a lot of people in this country, and it takes a lot to get really good.

Tom Høgli (native) and Olav Tuelo Johannessen (on loan to us) were regulars in the U21 squad up until now when they're getting too old, Trond Olsen was a regular up until last season, and Ruben Imingen has been picked for the next U21 match. Stefan Johansen scored a goal for the G15 (boys U15) recently, and Andreas Aakre and Alexander Vangen (all native juniors) joined the G17 side for a 4-nation tournament this summer.
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Post by Kesseboy »

Quick update: Trying our best to forget a dismal 3-0 defeat away to Kongsvinger last weekend, we beat Pors at home yesterday, 4-2 in a somewhat unfamiliar setting of a TV match. At the moment we're in third, in the qualification spot, with six points up to Ålesund and three points down to Bryne. We're set to face Ålesund in two games (also a TV match, by the way), and the most optimistic of us (for once including myself) are actually hoping we might catch them and claim the 2nd spot and direct promotion for ourselves. However, despite beating Pors 4-2, the game--particularly defensively--is far from impressive, we are still conceding way to many way to easy goals. Next Saturday we go to Tromsø to face Tromsdalen, who are riding low in the table, but are flying high on form (for instance, they beat Bryne away last week, and even beat league leaders Strømsgodset at home the game before). Won't be easy, but we have to win to avoid the end of the season being way too exciting.
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Post by Kesseboy »

We've had a couple of web-TV games, but this is our first (real) TV appearance of the season. The 1st division (2nd level anyway) isn't what's aired most, no. It's not all free to air, but the games are sent on the channel TV2 (which is available to as good as anyone) and "TV2 Zebra" (which is available to most cable TV subscribers). TV2, along with a major mobile/telephone company called Telenor, bought the rights last year (for a three-year period, I think?) for a staggering NOK 1.000.000.000+, of which one of the agents hired by the FA to seal the deal got away with a whole lot. That represents the corruption dimension of the situation. The same agent is (or was?) also a footballer agent, and had his licence suspended for some shady business with among others George Graham during his time at Arsenal.

Anyway, the game against Ålesund will take us on TV for the second time this year, but will be Ålesund's fifth, I think.

EDIT: Oh, and I might add--there was some extreme wind yesterday. It isn't unusuall, especially at this time of year, in Bodø. The wind must be taken into account at least for the last goal of the game, an own goal resulting in 4-2.
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Post by Kesseboy »

Bummer. We lost 1-0 to Tromsdalen. We were unable to capitalize on our chances, and Tromsdalen scored their goal on a deflection. Now we are waiting for the game between Aalesund and Bryne, due to start at 1600 local time, which will decide if we can breathe easy for a few days regarding the qualification spot, or if we'll be on equal points with Bryne.
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Post by Vassvik »

And so far it doesn't really look goo to be honest... :?
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Post by Kesseboy »

I've been to down to post this, but I guess it should be done if this section is to have anything to it.

We lost 2-0 at home to Aalesund on Sunday, which ensures they will go straight up. It also means that we only have the qualification spot to fight for, but as we lost the game, we also gave away that spot to Bryne. Now things are looking grim; Bryne are three points ahead, but our goal difference is better. Still means that Bryne must not get more than three points less than us over the last two games. I.e. if we lose away to Sogndal (we probably will, because we've been shit away all season), we have to win the last game at home, and Bryne will have to lose both their matches. So, not to be too pessimistic, but it looks like we're in the bog for another year.
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Post by Kesseboy »

Good news and bad news:

The good news first. Glimt will be changing their equipment from Adidas to Diadora, who bring with them a deal that is said to be better than the old Adidas deal. This includes a new home kit (same colours as before), a new away kit (with new currently undisclosed colours), and that the Adidas section of the stadium will be renamed to the Diadora section--unless another, better offer is presented to the club. Also, this means that Glimt will be changing brand of shoes, balls and soforth.

Then, the bad news. The supporters' club, DGH, yesterday issued a letter to the club, raising questions about the professionality of some of the players. The letter states that the supporters expect players to give their best for the club in all aspects. That is--not only in training and in games, but also when it comes to being professional athletes, herein diet and alcohol consumption. Thus far, there have only been two official reactions: Player Stig Johansen has questioned the supporters' love for the club with reference to the timing of the letter (two games left of the season that must be won). Player/coach Erik Hoftun says he is disappointed that this matter wasn't first dealt with through "proper channels". Both state that unprofessional attitudes are not a problem within the club. The supporters now wait to see if their worries will be taken seriously, and what reactions are to come from the rest of the players.
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Post by Kesseboy »

One of the main themes of conflict at the moment is that people at the club--and quite a few people on here--feel that the matter was adressed through the wrong channels. It seems it was sent to the club, but not long before it was published. Why the actions were chosen I don't know, but it's out there now.

It seems, though, that the matter is settled at the moment, with the coaching staff and the board of the supporters' club agreeing not to discuss the matter further until the end of the season.

The releasing factors, I suppose there have been a few, include:
- Hoftun saying to the newspapers that he's sorry for the poor performances (getting back to that in a bit) and seemingly giving up the promotion.
- News being released from the club (Hoftun quoted) that the players scored poorly on physical tests, compared to the start of the season. This, in itself, isn't unnatural as I suppose most would understand, but the results for some players are said to be way below what one would expect.
- The first half of the game against Ålesund was way below any standard that the supporters could accept. Personally, it was probably the worst I've seen of Glimt in at least five years with regard to lack of effort and will.
- Also, losing 6 of the last 9 matches, paired with the news of the players' poor test results, and considering reports of players not being professional with regard to alcohol and diet (I must admit I know nothing of this myself) would have been cause to take action.

I suppose it shines through what I think, but I try to be as neutral in my records of the events. The way I see it, such a letter would probably have little effect after the season, perhaps being dismissed as angry comments by supporters disappointed by an unpleasing final result in the league (like you suggested yourself). Bringing it up earlier would probably lead to the views being slammed by the fact that the club played 13 games in a row without losing this summer. By bringing up the matter now, I suppose the supporters' club want to try and have the players motivated by spite. I.e. "we'll show'em!" if you know what I mean, while also making sure that the views are noticed. But of course, this raises some unrest and unceirtanty. Personally, I can understand the timing being raised as an issue, still I believe that there might be something to it. Some are concerned that this would be poor PR for the club, especially those working on raising the money needed to keep the club still afloat. Again with my personal view, I can understand their frustration, but I'm convinced that the club will benefit from this in the long run.

The latest news tell of the chairman of the board, currently away travelling, saying to the local newspaper that this is a kind of criticism that the club should accept seriously, as it is coming from people who know the club and care greatly for it. Not everyone agrees with him, as you probably understand.

Finally, as has been made clear by DGH, the views are not ment to slam all the players. No names are mentioned, but there is--several times--in the letter stated that they do not wish to criticise the group of players as a whole. There are some players that have been reported not to have met the standards that DGH expect from their players. It is stated to be an expression of concern and love for the club, and keeping that in mind, Stig's latest comment seems rather harsh: quoting another forum user, quoting the newspaper quoting Stig: "There is no "ukultur" (i.e. bad or unfortunate practice) within Glimt. I can honestly not understand what they are doing" and adding "but if they want to piss on us, go right ahead!". Further, he is said to not have any sentiments regarding the origin of the criticism; those being said to be the club's closest of friends. "They can write what ever they want, and I'll take the debate. But not until the season is over. Now we are facing two important games, and I won't bother to spend energy on such a matter".
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Post by Kesseboy »

And oh! Regarding the kits. Diadora are said to design kits for Glimt especially, so none of us mere mortals on here know what they will look like. Only a few of us are trusted with inside info, and I'm not one of them. Diadora have web pages, though, so I suppose you can go there to get an idea. In general, Diadora kits seem to be a tighter fit than the Adidas kits. Colours of the home kits won't be changed, and colours of the away kits are still kept a secret. I've been assured they won't end up baby blue, though. :wink: I also feel pree-ee-eetty sure they won't end up being white- and red-striped. :lol:

As applies to details and sponsors, the sponsor composition for next season I suppose isn't ready yet, but the main sponsor will be the same. Probably the changes to the home kit won't be too great. I don't think they dare mess too much with it.
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