Thomas Myhre
Encyclopedia
Thomas Myhre is a Norwegian
international football
goalkeeper. He currently plays for Kongsvinger, having returned to Norwegian football in July 2007. Myhre has earned 56 caps for the Norwegian national team
, and was a part of the Norwegian squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
and 2000 European Championship
tournaments.
in the Norwegian First Division
, but arrived at Viking in the Premier League
in 1993. The 19-year-old replaced Lars Gaute Bø, who retired at the end of the 1992 season, and immediately established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, playing in every match that season. Myhre was also the number one goalkeeper for the Norwegian U-21 national team
, for whom he reached 27 caps. After missing the entire 1996 season through injury, Myhre returned to form in 1997. He was noticed by English
club Everton
, who bought him for £800,000 in November 1997.
and Paul Gerrard, playing a key role in keeping the club in the Premier League. On 22 April 1998, he made his debut for the Norwegian national team, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen
. Myhre was subsequently selected to represent Norway at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
, where he was an unused substitute for Frode Grodås
.
Following an ankle injury, he was replaced by Paul Gerrard as Everton's starting goalkeeper in the summer of 1999, and the club's financial difficulties contributed to making it hard for him to reclaim his place in the team. A clause in the transfer agreement between Everton and Viking held that further fees of £200,000 should be paid for every 20 matches Myhre played for Everton. As a result, he underwent a string of loan deals
.
in Scotland
in 1999. In 2000, he was loaned from Everton to Birmingham City
to ensure an additional fee wouldn't be incurred for reaching a set number of appearances for Everton. He started well for Birmingham, saving a penalty kick
against Wolverhampton Wanderers in his debut. He played well for Birmingham, and returned to the national team in the spring of 2000, to play at the Euro 2000
.
After Euro 2000, Everton loaned him out to Tranmere Rovers
, as well as Danish
club FC Copenhagen. In November 2001, Myhre permanently left Everton, as he was sold to Turkish
club Beşiktaş
for £375,000. After one season at Beşiktaş, he moved back to England to play for Sunderland
in July 2002. At Sunderland, Myhre was second choice goalkeeper behind Thomas Sørensen
, and was loaned out to Crystal Palace
in October 2003. His stay at Sunderland was plagued by injuries, and he played only one of the Euro 2004 qualifiers for Norway. However, he returned as first-choice goalkeeper in Sunderland after the departure of Sørensen, playing 31 league games in the 2004-05 season, as the club won promotion to the Premier League. He also returned to the national team, playing 11 of the 12 qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
.
However, Myhre's contract with Sunderland ran out in June 2005, and he chose not to prolong it. On 21 July 2005 he moved back to Norway and joined Fredrikstad F.K.
on a free transfer, where he played on a match-by-match basis. He played two matches for Fredrikstad, including an emotional encounter with his former club Viking, before English club Charlton Athletic
signed him on a two year deal on 8 August 2005 following an injury to their goalkeeper Dean Kiely
. Initially second choice goalkeeper behind Stephan Andersen
, Myhre established himself as Charlton's starting goalkeeper in December 2005. Through the rest of the season, Myhre kept 10 clean sheets, and he played more than ten hours without conceding a home goal at The Valley. However, following the departure of manager Alan Curbishley
, he once again found himself second choice goalkeeper at the start of the 2006-07 season, this time in favour of the loaned-in Scott Carson
.
, where he was an unused substitute for Frode Grodås
.
At the 2000 European Championship
(Euro 2000) in June, he played all three games for Norway. Myhre kept clean sheets against Spain and Slovenia
, and conceded only one goal in the tournament - Savo Milosevic
's winner in the match against Yugoslavia.
In an Euro 2008
qualifier against Turkey
on 28 March 2007, Norway were leading 2-0 at half time. In the second half, Myhre couldn't hold a free kick from Hamit Altintop
, and fumbled the ball into his own net. Minutes before full time, another Altintop shot went straight through Myhre's legs, and the game ended 2-2. Although his Norwegian teammates were consoling him, Myhre proclaimed the match his "worst day on the field". The game against Turkey is still Myhre's last game for Norway and would most likely be it as his career is coming to an end.
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...
international football
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...
goalkeeper. He currently plays for Kongsvinger, having returned to Norwegian football in July 2007. Myhre has earned 56 caps for the Norwegian national team
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
, and was a part of the Norwegian squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and 2000 European Championship
2000 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2000 UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2000, was the 11th UEFA European Football Championship, which is held every four years and organized by UEFA, association football's governing body in Europe....
tournaments.
Early career
Myhre started his career with 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...
in the Norwegian First Division
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
, but arrived at Viking in the Premier League
Norwegian Premier League
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
in 1993. The 19-year-old replaced Lars Gaute Bø, who retired at the end of the 1992 season, and immediately established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, playing in every match that season. Myhre was also the number one goalkeeper for the Norwegian U-21 national team
Norway national under-21 football team
The Norwegian national under-21 football team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, is the national football team of Norway for players of 21 years of age or under at the start of a UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign...
, for whom he reached 27 caps. After missing the entire 1996 season through injury, Myhre returned to form in 1997. He was noticed by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, who bought him for £800,000 in November 1997.
Move abroad
Myhre instantly established himself as Everton's first choice goalkeeper ahead of British goalkeepers Neville SouthallNeville Southall
Neville Southall MBE is a former Wales international footballer, best known for his time with Everton. He has been described as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985...
and Paul Gerrard, playing a key role in keeping the club in the Premier League. On 22 April 1998, he made his debut for the Norwegian national team, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. Myhre was subsequently selected to represent Norway at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, where he was an unused substitute for Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås is a football coach and former national football team goalkeeper originally from Hornindal, Norway. Capped 50 times for his country, he participated at the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as being an unused substitute at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Playing career:During his career he played...
.
Following an ankle injury, he was replaced by Paul Gerrard as Everton's starting goalkeeper in the summer of 1999, and the club's financial difficulties contributed to making it hard for him to reclaim his place in the team. A clause in the transfer agreement between Everton and Viking held that further fees of £200,000 should be paid for every 20 matches Myhre played for Everton. As a result, he underwent a string of loan deals
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
.
1997-2001: loans
In the next two years he played for four different teams. He was first loaned out to RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1999. In 2000, he was loaned from Everton to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
to ensure an additional fee wouldn't be incurred for reaching a set number of appearances for Everton. He started well for Birmingham, saving a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
against Wolverhampton Wanderers in his debut. He played well for Birmingham, and returned to the national team in the spring of 2000, to play at the Euro 2000
2000 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2000 UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2000, was the 11th UEFA European Football Championship, which is held every four years and organized by UEFA, association football's governing body in Europe....
.
After Euro 2000, Everton loaned him out to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, as well as Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
club FC Copenhagen. In November 2001, Myhre permanently left Everton, as he was sold to Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
club Beşiktaş
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
for £375,000. After one season at Beşiktaş, he moved back to England to play for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in July 2002. At Sunderland, Myhre was second choice goalkeeper behind Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
, and was loaned out to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in October 2003. His stay at Sunderland was plagued by injuries, and he played only one of the Euro 2004 qualifiers for Norway. However, he returned as first-choice goalkeeper in Sunderland after the departure of Sørensen, playing 31 league games in the 2004-05 season, as the club won promotion to the Premier League. He also returned to the national team, playing 11 of the 12 qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
However, Myhre's contract with Sunderland ran out in June 2005, and he chose not to prolong it. On 21 July 2005 he moved back to Norway and joined Fredrikstad F.K.
Fredrikstad F.K.
Fredrikstad footballklubb is a Norwegian football club from the town of Fredrikstad. With nine league championships and eleven Norwegian Cup wins, FFK is one of the most successful clubs in Norwegian football...
on a free transfer, where he played on a match-by-match basis. He played two matches for Fredrikstad, including an emotional encounter with his former club Viking, before English club Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
signed him on a two year deal on 8 August 2005 following an injury to their goalkeeper Dean Kiely
Dean Kiely
Dean Laurence Kiely is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently goalkeeping coach at West Bromwich Albion. He has won 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland, but has more often than not been on the bench as their substitute goalkeeper...
. Initially second choice goalkeeper behind Stephan Andersen
Stephan Andersen
Stephan Maigaard Andersen is a Danish professional football player, who plays as a goalkeeper for Évian in the Ligue 1...
, Myhre established himself as Charlton's starting goalkeeper in December 2005. Through the rest of the season, Myhre kept 10 clean sheets, and he played more than ten hours without conceding a home goal at The Valley. However, following the departure of manager Alan Curbishley
Alan Curbishley
Llewellyn Charles "Alan" Curbishley is an English football manager and former professional player....
, he once again found himself second choice goalkeeper at the start of the 2006-07 season, this time in favour of the loaned-in Scott Carson
Scott Carson
Scott Paul Carson is an English footballer who plays for Bursaspor as a goalkeeper.He joined the Leeds United football academy in 2002, making his full first team debut for Leeds against Manchester United in February 2004...
.
Return to Viking
In 2007, he moved back to former club Viking. He didn't play as much as he would have wanted with a back injury keeping him out most of 2008. He started the 2009 pre-season well, and played most of the season for the Stavanger-team. His contract with Viking allegedly ended after a late night out in February 2010. Myhre later claimed that Viking was only looking to get rid of him, using it as an excuse. Later revelations are that he was drugged in Marbella. The police in both Stavanger and Spain are now on the case to figure out exactly what has happened.International
Myhre was selected to represent Norway at the 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, where he was an unused substitute for Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås is a football coach and former national football team goalkeeper originally from Hornindal, Norway. Capped 50 times for his country, he participated at the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as being an unused substitute at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Playing career:During his career he played...
.
At the 2000 European Championship
2000 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2000 UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2000, was the 11th UEFA European Football Championship, which is held every four years and organized by UEFA, association football's governing body in Europe....
(Euro 2000) in June, he played all three games for Norway. Myhre kept clean sheets against Spain and Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
, and conceded only one goal in the tournament - Savo Milosevic
Savo Miloševic
Savo Milošević is a retired Serbian footballer who played as a striker.After making a name for himself at Partizan, he signed for Aston Villa, and went on to spend the vast majority of the following decade playing in Spain, where he represented four clubs, amassing La Liga totals of 241 games and...
's winner in the match against Yugoslavia.
In an Euro 2008
2008 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, was the 13th UEFA European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament contested by European nations. It took place in Austria and Switzerland from 7 to 29 June 2008...
qualifier against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
on 28 March 2007, Norway were leading 2-0 at half time. In the second half, Myhre couldn't hold a free kick from Hamit Altintop
Hamit Altintop
Hamit Altıntop is a German-born Turkish professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid in La Liga. He is a versatile midfielder who can play either in a defending or attacking role and on both flanks. He is well known for his flair of long-shot ability, as shown when he played for Schalke 04...
, and fumbled the ball into his own net. Minutes before full time, another Altintop shot went straight through Myhre's legs, and the game ended 2-2. Although his Norwegian teammates were consoling him, Myhre proclaimed the match his "worst day on the field". The game against Turkey is still Myhre's last game for Norway and would most likely be it as his career is coming to an end.