Per Svein Bostrøm (EN)

Per Svein Bostrøm (born 1946) is the announcer for IK Start. He has spent over 50 years as a stadium announcer and has witnessed countless matches.

On August 6, 1972, Per Svein Bostrøm took his place as Stadium Announcer at Kristiansand Stadium for the first time. It all began when he complained about the outdated music being played during matches. The response he received was simple:
“Go ahead, do something about it.”

He showed up as a disc jockey, but when the scheduled announcer didn’t turn up, he took the microphone – and never gave it back. Since then, he’s been the voice of IK Start for over 50 years, through more than 30 coaching changes, countless players, and historic moments.

The Highlight?

“The victory over Eintracht Braunschweig in the UEFA Cup in 1977,” he says.
A German powerhouse featuring none other than Paul Breitner – a World Cup winner with West Germany. But it was Start who triumphed at home – a magical evening at Kristiansand Stadium and an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and announcer alike.

Three players made a particularly strong impression on him:
Svein Mathisen, Erik Mykland, and Christian Bolaños.

“They had something truly special.”

Much has changed in the announcer role. In the past, you could show up just half an hour before kickoff. Today, the job demands hours of preparation and strict adherence to guidelines from the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF).

“But it has to be professional – and I like that,” says Per Svein.

Few people know that he has held numerous board positions and even wrote match reports for Start’s youth division during the 1960s and ’70s – on a typewriter. Currently, he serves as deputy chair of the Senior Council.

For his contributions, he was awarded the Gold Badge in 1995 and named an Honorary Member in 2010.

Outside of football, he had a long career at Jøtul, where he resigned as regional sales manager after 28 years.

Per Svein Bostrøm is more than just an announcer.
He is a living encyclopedia, a witness to history, and a cornerstone of the club’s legacy. IK Start is proud to have him as part of the family – and hopes he’ll continue to inform and inspire us at many more matches as a stadium announcer.