IK Start in the period 2005 -2009

The year 2005 marked the 100th anniversary of

- Norway’s independence from Sweden
- Albert Einstein’s publication of the theory of relativity
- The founding of IK Start

2005
Tom Nordlie continued his intense training regimen, and it paid off.

Start showed great effort in the pre-season matches, and in the opening game they swept LSK off the pitch. The strong run continued throughout the spring. The target of 30 points was already reached before the halfway point of the season. The club celebrated its 100th anniversary at the top of the Tippeligaen.

The 2005 season ended with silver, finishing behind Vålerenga after a thrilling final round!

In the Cup, Start were defeated by Vålerenga in the 4th round after extra time.

The team’s top scorer was Marius Johnsen, with 8 goals in 26 league matches.

100

The 100th anniversary was celebrated, among other events with a gathering in Caledonien Hall, featuring speeches and award presentations. The Medal of Merit from the Royal Norwegian Society for Development was presented to Kai Eriksen, and the King’s Silver Medal to Rolf Andresen, among others. See photos in the gallery below. 

2006
In 2006, as Start set out to defend their 2005 silver medals, the season proved turbulent

The high expectations were not met. Start had already finished the 2005 season with an injury-hit squad. During the pre-season leading up to 2006, nearly half the squad was on the injury list. The energy was gone, and recovery was lacking.

Then came the bombshell:
"Idrettsklubben Start, Start Toppfotball AS and Tom Nordlie have today, Friday 21 July, entered into a termination agreement, in which they, among other things, agree that the employment relationship ends. Sincerely, Rune Jakobsen, Board of Directors IK Start Toppfotball, and Tom Nordlie."

The new head coach became Stig Inge Bjørnebye, who quickly stepped in and guided the team to a sixth-place finish

Cup: Start lost to Lillestrøm in the 5th round after extra time and a penalty shootout.

Top scorer: David Nielsen, with 5 goals in 26 league matches.

The junior team, unaffected by the coaching change, became Norwegian champions after defeating RBK’s juniors at Lerkendal. This was the club’s third Norwegian championship in its history.

Saying goodbye to Kristiansand Stadium

2007

And then the new arena opened in 2007…
Read more about the history of Sør Arena’s construction here.

First, Bjørnebye brought in two Brazilians who were expected to make a difference. However, due to injuries in the squad, they were unable to play in their usual positions.

The opening match against Viking ended 1-1 on a pitch that wasn’t firm enough. But the new signings made an impact: Ygor Maciel Santiago, Anthony Annan, and later Ole Martin Årst, Bernt Hulsker, and Martin Borre.

Svein Mathisen took office on April 1 as sports and media director.

However, Bjørnebye had to leave, and Benny Lennartson took over, eventually leading the team to relegation from the beautiful new arena.

In the Cup, Start lost to Haugesund in the 4th round at Sør Arena.
The team’s top scorer was Ole Martin Årst, with 7 goals in 26 league matches.

The juniors, meanwhile, repeated the success of the previous year, capturing the Norwegian Junior Championship.

2008
With relegation came player departures, something that had become a familiar routine at IK Start. New coach Arne Sandstø nonetheless had a squad to work with for the 2008 season.

Alongside Erik Mykland, who worked his way back to a fresh start with Start.

Promotion was secured, but the Cup run ended in the 4th round after a loss to Odd. The team’s top scorer was Geir Ludvig Fevang, with 11 goals in 30 league matches.

2009
Knut Tørum took over as Start’s head coach ahead of the 2009 season.

It was a perfectly balanced season for Start: 10 wins, 10 draws, and 10 losses.
Mads Stokkelien emerged as the club’s top scorer with 10 goals in 30 league appearances. Spring 2009 saw Christian Bolaños make his debut away at Strømsgodset—and in just eight minutes, he had already won the hearts of the fans.

Start finished 9th in the inaugural season of the 16-team top division.

In the Cup, their run ended yet again in the 3rd round, in a heart-stopping penalty shootout against Løv-Ham, which edged out Start by an incredible 16-15. A game that will live long in the memory of everyone at Sør Arena.

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The chairman elected in 2005 was Odd Skuggen (2005, 2006, 2007), followed by Audun Myhre (2008, 2009).

Here is an overview of the final results and league positions during this period. Home matches were played at Kristiansand Stadium and Sør Arena:

• 2005 – 2nd in the Tippeligaen – reached the 4th round of the Cup

• 2006 – 6th in the Tippeligaen – reached the 5th round of the Cup

• 2007 – 13th in the Tippeligaen – reached the 4th round of the Cup

• 2008 – 3rd in the 1st Division – reached the 4th round of the Cup

• 2009 – 9th in the Tippeligaen – reached the 3rd round of the Cup

Previous period—– Back to the opening—– Next time period will come in a while

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