Sandnes FK
Encyclopedia
Sandnes Fotballklubb was a Norwegian
association football club from Sandnes
. It existed from late 1997 to early 2004, and was in the end incorporated by Ulf-Sandnes to form Sandnes Ulf
. A cooperation between several Sandnes-based clubs, it played some time in the Norwegian Second Division, and had won promotion to the Second Division when it ceased to exist, but struggled with bad economy.
It played in the 2001 Norwegian Second Division
, but was relegated to the Third Division after that season. As a result, the other clubs stopped backing Sandnes FK. Sandnes FK tried their luck on their own in the 2002 season.
In early 2003 many started advocating a new merger in the city. In February 2003 people came forward with a wish to merge Sandnes FK and Ulf-Sandnes, with support from Sandved IL, and to hire Benny Lennartsson
as head coach. In March an "intensjonsavtale" was signed between the two clubs. The plan received a blow in April, when Benny Lennartsson declared himself unavailable, as his wife had unfortunately not been hired at Stavanger University College. The plan was not scrapped, but it was said that the plan depended on either Sandnes FK or Ulf-Sandnes winning promotion. Sandnes FK won their Third Division group, whereas Ulf-Sandnes was relegated. This increased the keenness of both parts to cooperate. Talks started after the season. In late 2003 the mayor of Sandnes stood forward in advertisements, donning the Sandnes FK jersey, to gather popular and commercial support for a new club.
By early 2004, plans had been made, and approved by the board of directors in both clubs as well as the Football Association of Norway
. First, the annual convention in Sandnes FK would take place on 9 February, and agree to discontinue the club and grant Ulf-Sandnes its spot in the league system. On 10 February, Ulf-Sandnes would change its name to "Sandnes Ulf" to carry on a certain legacy from Sandnes FK. This was agreed to, and Sandnes FK ceased to exist.
The economy of Sandnes FK was never in the best of shapes. In July 2003 the club barely escaped bankruptcy. The economy improved after the merger.
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...
association football club from Sandnes
Sandnes
is a city and municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren.-History:Sandnes was separated from Høyland as a municipality of its own in 1860, and gained city status the same year...
. It existed from late 1997 to early 2004, and was in the end incorporated by Ulf-Sandnes to form Sandnes Ulf
Sandnes Ulf
Sandnes Ulf is a Norwegian football club from Sandnes, Rogaland. They currently play in the Adeccoligaen, the second highest division in the Norwegian football league system. Sandnes Ulf is the biggest football club in Sandnes, but has traditionally been in the shadow of regional greats Viking FK...
. A cooperation between several Sandnes-based clubs, it played some time in the Norwegian Second Division, and had won promotion to the Second Division when it ceased to exist, but struggled with bad economy.
History
Sandnes FK was founded in January 1997 as an umbrella club for eleven teams in the Sandnes district. FK Haugesund was an inspiration.It played in the 2001 Norwegian Second Division
2001 Norwegian Second Division
The 2001 season of the 2. divisjon, the third highest football league for men in Norway.26 games were played in 4 groups—changed from the 8 groups in 2000—with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Tollnes, Åsane, Oslo Øst and Lørenskog were promoted to the First Division. Number twelve,...
, but was relegated to the Third Division after that season. As a result, the other clubs stopped backing Sandnes FK. Sandnes FK tried their luck on their own in the 2002 season.
In early 2003 many started advocating a new merger in the city. In February 2003 people came forward with a wish to merge Sandnes FK and Ulf-Sandnes, with support from Sandved IL, and to hire Benny Lennartsson
Benny Lennartsson
Benny Lennartsson is a Swedish football coach.He has managed Örebro SK, Lyngby FC and Bristol City among others.-References:...
as head coach. In March an "intensjonsavtale" was signed between the two clubs. The plan received a blow in April, when Benny Lennartsson declared himself unavailable, as his wife had unfortunately not been hired at Stavanger University College. The plan was not scrapped, but it was said that the plan depended on either Sandnes FK or Ulf-Sandnes winning promotion. Sandnes FK won their Third Division group, whereas Ulf-Sandnes was relegated. This increased the keenness of both parts to cooperate. Talks started after the season. In late 2003 the mayor of Sandnes stood forward in advertisements, donning the Sandnes FK jersey, to gather popular and commercial support for a new club.
By early 2004, plans had been made, and approved by the board of directors in both clubs as well as the Football Association of Norway
Football Association of Norway
The Football Association of Norway is the governing body of football in Norway. Current FIFA World Champions It was formed in 1902 and organises the men's and women's national teams, as well as the Norwegian Premier League.The team are enjoying their best ever spell thanks to World Player of the...
. First, the annual convention in Sandnes FK would take place on 9 February, and agree to discontinue the club and grant Ulf-Sandnes its spot in the league system. On 10 February, Ulf-Sandnes would change its name to "Sandnes Ulf" to carry on a certain legacy from Sandnes FK. This was agreed to, and Sandnes FK ceased to exist.
The economy of Sandnes FK was never in the best of shapes. In July 2003 the club barely escaped bankruptcy. The economy improved after the merger.