Kjell Olofsson
Encyclopedia
Kjell Olofsson is a (former) Swedish
footballer
.
club Dundee United
with whom he joined at the start of the 1996/97 season
. Brought in by then manager Tommy McLean
he made his debut as a trialist in the 1-0 victory over Hearts at Tannadice on 26 October 1996, along with fellow Scandinavian Erik Pedersen
. Kjell scored his first goal seven days later in a 3-1 win over Motherwell
at Fir Park
and he instantly became a fan-favourite. In his first season he finished top goal scorer with a total of 13 goals in 28 games. He played his part in impressive wins over both Rangers & Celtic
and United only lost four matches in which he appeared and finished in third place in the Scottish Premier League
, having been promoted from the First Division the previous season.
In his second season (1997–1998) he again finished top goalscorer with 23 goals. The season started promisingly for United, with an early 17-0 aggregate UEFA cup
win over Andorra
n side CE Principat which saw Olofsson score his first, and only, European goal for the club. However despite Kjell's goals United failed to live up to the glory of the previous season and only finished 7th in the SPL. He did, however score both goals in a 2-1 victory over Hibernian
, goals which condemned the Edinburgh side to the humiliation of being relegated to the first division. The season did provide Kjell a medal, sadly for him and United fans it was only a runners up medal in the Scottish League Cup
(they lost a distinctly one-sided final 3-0 to Celtic)
His final season at United (1998–1999) was less successful. He failed to score and United failed to win in the opening six games and this was followed by the sacking of manager Tommy McLean. However he was firmly in the plans of new manager Paul Sturrock
, and in Sturrock's second game in charge (a 2-2 draw with local rivals Dundee
) he netted his first goal of the season. Though 7 days later, in a match that would be United's first win of the season, it would turn sour for Kjell as he received only his second caution and first ever red card in Scottish football in the 3-1 win over St Johnstone
on 26 September 1998. He was suspended for the following game, a 1-0 win over Aberdeen
, though despite the win he was straight back in the team the next week. United fans had to wait another seven games to see his second goal of the season, which came in the 3-0 win against Aberdeen on the 28 November 1998. On 2 January 1999 Kjell scored his third goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Dundee, a game that would trigger Kjell's scoring form as he scored 7 goals in the next 12 games. His final goal for the club came at Pittodrie
against Aberdeen in the 4-0 win on 17 April 1999, while his final appearance was in a 2-1 loss to Celtic on the final day of the season (23 May 1999).
Several years later Kjell made a cameo appearance at Tannadice, dressed as Terry The Terror (the club mascot
) before a home league game.
Olofsson's last known club was the club from which he joined Dundee United - Norwegian
club Moss F.K.
. He retired as a professional player in 2002 and returned to his family's furniture
business. He still plays amateur football at the age of 46 on Tronvik Fk.
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
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Time with Dundee United
Olofsson is perhaps best known for his time with ScottishScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
with whom he joined at the start of the 1996/97 season
Dundee United FC Season 1996-97
The 1996–97 season was the 85th year of football played by Dundee United, and covered the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997. United finished in third place in the league following their promotion from the First Division and qualified for the UEFA Cup in the process...
. Brought in by then manager Tommy McLean
Tommy McLean
Thomas "Tommy" McLean is a Scottish former professional footballer who played for Kilmarnock and Rangers....
he made his debut as a trialist in the 1-0 victory over Hearts at Tannadice on 26 October 1996, along with fellow Scandinavian Erik Pedersen
Erik Pedersen
Erik Stensrud Pedersen is a former Norwegian footballer who played as left back. Pedersen spent most of his career in Norway, but had a spell in Scotland with Dundee United, whose club badge he has tattooed on his right arm....
. Kjell scored his first goal seven days later in a 3-1 win over Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
at Fir Park
Fir Park
Fir Park Stadium is a football stadium situated in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.- History :...
and he instantly became a fan-favourite. In his first season he finished top goal scorer with a total of 13 goals in 28 games. He played his part in impressive wins over both Rangers & Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and United only lost four matches in which he appeared and finished in third place in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, having been promoted from the First Division the previous season.
In his second season (1997–1998) he again finished top goalscorer with 23 goals. The season started promisingly for United, with an early 17-0 aggregate UEFA cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
win over Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
n side CE Principat which saw Olofsson score his first, and only, European goal for the club. However despite Kjell's goals United failed to live up to the glory of the previous season and only finished 7th in the SPL. He did, however score both goals in a 2-1 victory over Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, goals which condemned the Edinburgh side to the humiliation of being relegated to the first division. The season did provide Kjell a medal, sadly for him and United fans it was only a runners up medal in the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(they lost a distinctly one-sided final 3-0 to Celtic)
His final season at United (1998–1999) was less successful. He failed to score and United failed to win in the opening six games and this was followed by the sacking of manager Tommy McLean. However he was firmly in the plans of new manager Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
, and in Sturrock's second game in charge (a 2-2 draw with local rivals Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
) he netted his first goal of the season. Though 7 days later, in a match that would be United's first win of the season, it would turn sour for Kjell as he received only his second caution and first ever red card in Scottish football in the 3-1 win over St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
on 26 September 1998. He was suspended for the following game, a 1-0 win over Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, though despite the win he was straight back in the team the next week. United fans had to wait another seven games to see his second goal of the season, which came in the 3-0 win against Aberdeen on the 28 November 1998. On 2 January 1999 Kjell scored his third goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Dundee, a game that would trigger Kjell's scoring form as he scored 7 goals in the next 12 games. His final goal for the club came at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
against Aberdeen in the 4-0 win on 17 April 1999, while his final appearance was in a 2-1 loss to Celtic on the final day of the season (23 May 1999).
Several years later Kjell made a cameo appearance at Tannadice, dressed as Terry The Terror (the club mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
) before a home league game.
Olofsson's last known club was the club from which he joined Dundee United - Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
club Moss F.K.
Moss F.K.
Moss Fotballklubb is a Norwegian football club, founded on August 28, 1906. They currently play in the Fair Play ligaen, the third highest division in the Norwegian football league system. They played in the Norwegian Premier League between 1937-1939, 1953-1954, 1977-1985 , 1987-1990 , 1996 and...
. He retired as a professional player in 2002 and returned to his family's furniture
Furniture
Furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things...
business. He still plays amateur football at the age of 46 on Tronvik Fk.