IK Start in the period 1985 -1994

in the year 1985 The Live Aid concert was held in Philadelphia and London to raise funds for famine victims in Ethiopia, and 38 people died in riots before the European Cup final at Heysel Stadium.
In October 1985, a-ha reached the top of the U.S. charts with the single “Take on Me.”

Also iIn 1985, Karsten Johannesen took over a IK Start team that was struggling to find success.

The following two years saw Englishman Brian Green struggle without success. After the 1987 season, Start were relegated.

In the Norwegian Cup:

• 1985: eliminated in the 2nd round

• 1986: reached the quarterfinals (5th round)

• 1987: eliminated in the 2nd round
  A period marked by inconsistency.

Then Karsten Johannessen returned and eventually managed to lead the team to second place in the 2nd division and victory in the qualification play-offs for the 1st division in 1989. The club barely managed to stay up the following season. This year also marked the first season for Erik Mykland and the last for Svein Mathisen.

In the Cup:

• 1988: reached the semifinals (6th round) against Rosenborg

• 1989: eliminated in the 3rd round

Top Scorers for Start:

• 1985: Arve Seland – 11 goals in 22 league matches

• 1986: Arve Seland – 12 goals in 22 league matches (also top scorer in the Eliteserien)

• 1987: Claus Eftevaag – 6 goals in 22 league matches

• 1988: Sten Glenn Håberg – 20 goals in 22 league matches

• 1989: Frank Strandli – 9 goals in 22 league matches

1990
Brede Skistad took over at Kristiansand Stadium, a coach who left a lasting mark on Norwegian football, particularly through his work in developing young talents.

From 1990 to 1994, Brede Skistad served as head coach of IK Start. Under his leadership, the club achieved two bronze medals in the Tippeligaen, in 1991 and 1992, and the team came close to winning the league title. He worked with talents sIuch as Tore André Dahlum, Frank Strandli, and Erik Mykland, players who would go on to have a significant impact on Norwegian football in the 1990s. Claus Eftevaag, Pål Lydersen, and Morten Pettersen were also part of the squad in the 1990 season.

The top scorer for Start in 1990 was Tore André Dahlum, with 20 goals in 22 league matches. “Totto” was also the top scorer in the Eliteserien that season.

Before the 1991 season, the 1st Division was renamed the Tippeligaen.

1991 marked the first year of professional football in Norway. Read more about what this meant for Start.

Many Start players represented the national teams in 1991:
In the match against Italy on June 5, Tore André Dahlum and Pål Lydersen played as Norway defeated Italy A 2–1.
On the U21 team, which won 6–0 against Italy, six Start players were in the squad: Claus Eftevaag, Erik Mykland, Tommy Svindal Larsen, Morten Pettersen, Frank Våge Skårdal, and Frank Strandli.

Norwegian Cup results:

• 1990 – eliminated in the quarterfinals (5th round)

• 1991 – eliminated in the 4th round

• 1992 – eliminated in the 4th round

• 1993 – eliminated in the 3rd round

• 1994 – eliminated in the 4th round
  Ullevaal Stadium remained out of reach.

Top scorers for Start:

• 1991: Morten Pettersen, 9 goals in 22 league matches

• 1992: Frank Strandli, 16 goals in 22 league matches

1993
In the 1993 season, Start finished ninth in the league, only one point above the relegation playoff spot. However, the juniors delivered. Start won the Norwegian Junior Cup, with players such as Steinar Pedersen, Tom Berhus, and Bernt Chr. Birkland in the team, coached by Teddy Moen. In the final at Kristiansand Stadium, Molde was defeated 1–0 after extra time.

A new style of play began to take shape at the stadium, characterized as “Mackerel Football.”

Top scorer for Start in the 1993 season was Frank Strandli, with 7 goals in 22 league matches.

1994
Permanent squad numbers were introduced in Norwegian football starting with the 1994 season. Previously, it was common for the starting players to wear numbers 1 to 11, and these numbers could vary from match to match.

1994 Season
Erik Ruthford Pedersen led the team during the autumn season of 1994 while Brede Skistad was undergoing treatment. Start finished in fourth place and reached the 4th round of the Norwegian Cup. Petter Belsvik was the top scorer, netting 16 goals in 22 league matches.

Club Chairmen (1985–1994)

• 1985: Erik Svendsen

• 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991: Leif Strømme

• 1988, 1989: Sverre Hornnes

• 1992–1994: Erik Stallemo

International Context:

In 1994, the Channel Tunnel was opened, and Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa. The 17th Olympic Winter Games were held in Lillehammer, Norway.

Final Results and League/Cup Placements (1985–1994)
Home games were played at Kristiansand Stadium.

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Sources: Start i hundre, Alt om Start in Fædrelandsvennen, nifs.no, Soccerway.com, IK Start annual reports, personal notes, and articles summarizing match results throughout the season