Jan Hellström
Encyclopedia
Jan Hellström is a former Swedish
footballer, who played as a striker.
football for IFK Norrköping
(247 games, 102 goals) and Örgryte IS
. He started his career in Örtomta GoIS as a youth, then moved, still in his teens, to IF SAAB from Linköping
.
In 1977, his first season as a senior, in the second division
, Hellström scored three goals in five games. SAAB was relegated and, in the following year, he had his real breakthrough as a senior playing, netting 25 goals. His achievements were soon recognised by clubs in the top level and, in 1981, he signed for Norrköping. Local rivals Åtvidabergs FF
had tried to sign him since 1980, but nothing ever came of it.
After the season 1984 and numerous goals for Norrköping, Hellström suddenly left for Örgryte IS
from Gothenburg
. He commented the move in an interview to Norrköping's fansite gopeking.net:
In 1988, even though his life was well both personally and at work, he eventually agreed on a return to Norrköping, with Tommy Wisell, manager/director at the club, playing an active role in convincing the player. Also during that year, Hellström had a breakthrough in his international career when he played for Sweden
at the Seoul Olympic Games
; he finished the tournament
as the second best goalscorer in the group play with three goals, only behind Brazil
's Romário
(four). Sweden got knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinal 1–2 defeat against Italy
. His total record for the Olympics (including the qualifiers) was eight goals in 15 games.
In the following year, Hellström was crowned the league's topscorer
for the first and only time in his career, with 16 goals, as Norrköping won the league
over Malmö FF
. However, a severe leg injury in left him out of action for a lengthy period, although he continued to play with the club until 1994.
Subsequently, Hellström left for Hagahöjdens BK in the Swedish fourth division, where he remained until 1996. After two short half-season comebacks for Åby IF (in Norrköping
), he ended his active career in 1999.
During his career he was linked to Real Zaragoza
(Spain
) and Iraklis Thessaloniki FC (Greece
) but remained faithful to Norrköping. After retiring, Hellström (considered one of the best players in the club's history) joined the board of directors.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
footballer, who played as a striker.
Football career
Hellström played Swedish top leagueAllsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
football for IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
(247 games, 102 goals) and Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS, also commonly referred to as ÖIS, is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg.-History:The club was founded on 4 December 1887 and participated in the first football match in Sweden on 22 May 1892. Örgryte IS has won 12 national championship titles and one national cup title. After...
. He started his career in Örtomta GoIS as a youth, then moved, still in his teens, to IF SAAB from Linköping
Linköping
Linköping is a city in southern middle Sweden, with 104 232 inhabitants in 2010. It is the seat of Linköping Municipality with 146 736 inhabitants and the capital of Östergötland County...
.
In 1977, his first season as a senior, in the second division
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
, Hellström scored three goals in five games. SAAB was relegated and, in the following year, he had his real breakthrough as a senior playing, netting 25 goals. His achievements were soon recognised by clubs in the top level and, in 1981, he signed for Norrköping. Local rivals Åtvidabergs FF
Åtvidabergs FF
Åtvidabergs FF is a Swedish football club located in Åtvidaberg. The club, formed 1 July 1907 as Åtvidabergs IF, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The club changed to the present name before the 1935–1936 season. The club is affiliated to Östergötlands Fotbollförbund...
had tried to sign him since 1980, but nothing ever came of it.
After the season 1984 and numerous goals for Norrköping, Hellström suddenly left for Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS, also commonly referred to as ÖIS, is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg.-History:The club was founded on 4 December 1887 and participated in the first football match in Sweden on 22 May 1892. Örgryte IS has won 12 national championship titles and one national cup title. After...
from Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
. He commented the move in an interview to Norrköping's fansite gopeking.net:
"My decision to move was based on several factors. I did not feel the club was trying to invest in anything, the club only played the games, did not sign players and did not show any aspiration that they wanted anything. In addition, the football the coach at the time, Lars-Göran Qwist supported, was not a football I could support."
In 1988, even though his life was well both personally and at work, he eventually agreed on a return to Norrköping, with Tommy Wisell, manager/director at the club, playing an active role in convincing the player. Also during that year, Hellström had a breakthrough in his international career when he played for Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
at the Seoul Olympic Games
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
; he finished the tournament
Football at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Final results for the football competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The tournament was held from September 17, 1988 to October 1, 1988.-Medal summary:...
as the second best goalscorer in the group play with three goals, only behind Brazil
Brazil Olympic football team
Brazil Olympic football team represents Brazil in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation...
's Romário
Romário
Romário de Souza Faria , better known simply as Romário , is a former footballer who played striker,manager and current politician where is currently running for a mayor like position in his hometown...
(four). Sweden got knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinal 1–2 defeat against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. His total record for the Olympics (including the qualifiers) was eight goals in 15 games.
In the following year, Hellström was crowned the league's topscorer
Allsvenskan top scorer
The following is a list of top scorers in Allsvenskan, the highest Swedish division of football....
for the first and only time in his career, with 16 goals, as Norrköping won the league
Allsvenskan 1989
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1989.-Overview:The league was contested by 12 teams, with IFK Norrköping winning the championship after the play-offs.-League standings:- Semi-finals :* Örebro SK–IFK Norrköping 1–1, 0–3 '...
over Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
. However, a severe leg injury in left him out of action for a lengthy period, although he continued to play with the club until 1994.
Subsequently, Hellström left for Hagahöjdens BK in the Swedish fourth division, where he remained until 1996. After two short half-season comebacks for Åby IF (in Norrköping
Norrköping
Norrköping is a city in the province of Östergötland in eastern Sweden and the seat of Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County. The city has a population of 87,247 inhabitants in 2010, out of a municipal total of 130,050, making it Sweden's tenth largest city and eighth largest...
), he ended his active career in 1999.
During his career he was linked to Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
(Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) and Iraklis Thessaloniki FC (Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
) but remained faithful to Norrköping. After retiring, Hellström (considered one of the best players in the club's history) joined the board of directors.