Svein Mathisen (EN)
Svein Mathisen is a former Start player.
Svein Erling Mathisen, with the well-known nickname "Matta" was born on September 30th, 1952, in Sauda. He passed away on January 27th , 2011, in Kristiansand.
Svein made his debut for IK Start in a cup game against Vigør in 1970. In all of his career, he played as an attacking midfielder or as a forward - always wearing jersey number 9. He played 663 matches for IK Start and 327 of those were matches in the top division. With 106 goals, he is the all-time top scorer for Start. He was a big contributor to the club winning the Championship in 1978 and 1980.
His debut for Norway's National Team came against Iceland on July 7th 1975. He played 25 matches for Norway's National Team.
Svein against Neal McLeod and a Rottweiler
Svein played his last official match for Start in 1989.
He studied to become a teacher; he played one season as a professional for Hibernian in Scotland and after retiring as a footballer, he started working as a journalist.
He worked as a journalist and sporting director in Fædrelandsvennen and also worked as a journalist and expert commentator for TV2.
When IK Start offered him the job as a sporting director in 2007, he did not think twice.
