IK Start

Norwegian football club

Football club

IK Start

Full name| Idrettsklubben Start
Founded| 19 September 1905; 119 years ago (19 September 1905)
Ground| Sør Arena
Kristiansand
Capacity| 14,563
Head coach| Azar Karadas
League| Norwegian First Division
2024| 1\. divisjon, 12th of 16
Website| http://www.ikstart.no/

Home colours

Away colours

|

Idrettsklubben Start (or simply IK Start, translates to The sports club Start) is a Norwegian football club from the city of Kristiansand that currently plays in the Norwegian First Division, the second tier of the Norwegian football league system. The club was founded on 19 September 1905. The club's current head coach is Azar Karadas. The team plays in yellow jerseys, black shorts and socks at home, and black jerseys, yellow shorts and socks away.

They play their home matches at Sør Arena, the club's own football stadium, opened in 2007. Before moving to Sør Arena, IK Start played their games at Kristiansand Stadion. The team's official supporter club was called "Tigerberget", until 2017, when the IK Start board decided to no longer have an official supporter club.

## History

[edit]

Start were Norwegian champions in 1978 and 1980. They participated in the European Cup in 1979 and 1981, as well as being qualified for the UEFA Champions League 2006–07. The years since 1995 have been turbulent, but recent investments have given greater expectations for the future. In 2004 they won the Norwegian 1. divisjon and were promoted to the top flight.

In 2005 they reached second place, following Vålerenga, after a strong comeback season in the Tippeligaen. For this, Start earned a place in the UEFA Cup 2006\.

In 2006, after beating Skála of the Faroe Islands in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, and Drogheda United of Ireland in the second qualifying round (after penalties), they reached the first round of the UEFA Cup, where they were knocked out by Ajax of the Netherlands.

2007 was a bad year for Start, with problems working as a team and management issues. It led to a disappointing 13th place, leading to Start's relegation to 1\. divisjon. In 2008 the club got financial problems. The local government saved the club from bankruptcy. The financial difficulties has plagued Start for several seasons, due to the financial crisis and the Norwegian footballteams overspending, Start being no exception. The last couple of seasons, Start has downsized and saved money, for example by changing the turf on Sør Arena, the hopes being that the savings will keep the wheels turning in Start.

Ahead of the 2009 season, Knut Tørum was appointed head coach of Start. The next two seasons, Start was positioned at the lower half of Tippeligaen although achieving some strong results, like being the only team to beat Rosenborg in 2009, at Rosenborgs homeground Lerkendal, delaying their gold celebration. On 22 June 2011, Start had 13 points in 12 matches, and Tørum decided to resign hours before a cup-match against Strømsgodset, a match Start won without Tørum. Mons Ivar Mjelde replaced Tørum as head coach, but was not able to save Start from relegation. Start started the 2012 1. divisjon in strong fashion, leading the division and winning important matches and won promotion at the end of the season.

Start defeated Stabæk 4–1 on 4 July 2015. From 12 July 2015 to 18 September 2016, Start played 39 consecutive games without a win in Tippeligaen.[1] This is the longest run without winning a single game across any top division in Europe.

## Badge

[edit]

Former logo of IK Start, used between 2018 and 2021.

Since the club was founded in 1905, the club badge had been a blue and white pennant. In November 2017, the badge was replaced with a more modernised version in all black.[2] The new crest was in use for four years, before Start decided to return to the old one in March 2022.[3]

## Honours

[edit]

* Eliteserien:
* Winners (2): 1978, 1980
* Runners-up (1): 2005
* Third place (7): 1973, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1992
* Norwegian Cup:
* Semi finalist (7): 1975, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2006, 2011, 2018
* 1\. divisjon:
* Winners (4): 1968, 1972, 2004, 2012
* Promotion: 1958–59, 1988, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2017

## Recent history

[edit]

Season  |  | Pos.  | Pl.  | W  | D  | L  | GS  | GA  | P  | Cup | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2002 | Tippeligaen | ↓ 14 | 26 | 2 | 5 | 19  | 21 | 72 | 11 | Fourth round  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2003 | 1\. divisjon | 9 | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14  | 53 | 50 | 40 | Third round  |
2004 | 1\. divisjon | ↑ 1 | 30 | 24 | 2 | 4  | 71 | 28 | 74 | Third round  | Promoted to the Tippeligaen
2005 | Tippeligaen | 2 | 26 | 13 | 6 | 7  | 47 | 35 | 45 | Fourth round  |
2006 | Tippeligaen | 6 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9  | 29 | 32 | 37 | Semi-final  |
2007 | Tippeligaen | ↓ 13 | 26 | 6 | 8 | 12  | 34 | 44 | 26 | Fourth round  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2008 | 1\. divisjon | ↑ 3 | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5  | 58 | 34 | 59 | Fourth round  | Promoted to the Tippeligaen
2009 | Tippeligaen | 9 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10  | 46 | 52 | 40 | Third round  |
2010 | Tippeligaen | 8 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10  | 57 | 60 | 42 | Quarter-final  |
2011 | Tippeligaen | ↓ 15 | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18  | 39 | 61 | 26 | Semi-final  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2012 | 1\. divisjon | ↑ 1 | 30 | 20 | 6 | 4  | 71 | 35 | 66 | Fourth round  | Promoted to the Tippeligaen
2013 | Tippeligaen | 9 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12  | 43 | 46 | 38 | Quarter-final  |
2014 | Tippeligaen | 12 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 15  | 47 | 60 | 35 | Fourth round  |
2015 | Tippeligaen | 14 | 30 | 5 | 7 | 18  | 35 | 64 | 22 | Second round  |
2016 | Tippeligaen | ↓ 16 | 30 | 2 | 10 | 18  | 23 | 59 | 16 | Third round  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2017 | 1\. divisjon | ↑ 2 | 30 | 16 | 7 | 7  | 57 | 36 | 55 | Second round  | Promoted to the Eliteserien
2018 | Eliteserien | ↓ 15 | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17  | 30 | 54 | 29 | Semi-final  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2019 | 1\. divisjon | ↑ 3 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 6  | 54 | 31 | 62 | First round  | Promoted to the Eliteserien
2020 | Eliteserien | ↓ 15 | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15  | 33 | 56 | 27 | Cancelled  | Relegated to the 1\. divisjon
2021 | 1\. divisjon | 9 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12  | 59 | 59 | 38 | Fourth round  |
2022 | 1\. divisjon | 3 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 8  | 63 | 38 | 54 | Fourth round  |
2023 | 1\. divisjon | 5 | 30 | 12 | 10 | 8  | 49 | 30 | 46 | Third round  |
2024 | 1\. divisjon | 12 | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13  | 45 | 57 | 35 | First round  |

Source:[4]

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 8 March 2025[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  NOR | Storm Strand-Kolbjørnsen
2  | DF |  NOR | Fredrik Pålerud
3  | DF |  NOR | Altin Ujkani
4  | MF |  NOR | Sivert Sira Hansen
5  | DF |  TUN | Omar Jebali
6  | DF |  NOR | John Olav Norheim
7  | FW |  LBR | Emmanuel Gono (on loan from AIK)
8  | MF |  NOR | Mathias Grundetjern
10  | MF |  CMR | Stève Mvoué
11  | MF |  NOR | Eirik Schulze
12  | GK |  NOR | Herman Seierstad Johnsen
13  | DF |  GER | Sebastian Griesbeck
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

15  | FW |  NOR | Marius Nordal
16  | MF |  SWE | Tom Strannegård
18  | MF |  NOR | Mikael Ugland
19  | DF |  NOR | Deni Dashaev
20  | FW |  NOR | Håkon Lorentzen
21  | MF |  NOR | Sander Sjøkvist
22  | DF |  NOR | Adrian Eftestad Nilsen
27  | FW |  NGA | Gift Sunday (on loan from Bodø/Glimt)
44  | FW |  SWE | Salim Nkubiri
45  | GK |  DEN | Jacob Pryts
-- | FW |  NGA | Terry Benjamin

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | DF |  NOR | Benjamin Sundo (to Arendal Fotball)
1  | GK |  NOR | Jasper Silva Torkildsen (to FK Haugesund)
17  | FW |  NOR | Sander Richardsen (To Flekkerøy IL)

### Coaching staff

[edit]

Position  | Name

|

Head coach |  Azar Karadas
Assistant coach |  Jóhannes Harðarson
Goalkeeping coach |  Alexander Aaser
Fitness coach |  Jamie Steel
Physiotherapist |  Pål Erik Pedersen
Sports coordinator |  Øyvind Evjen

### Former head coaches

[edit]

IK Start coaching history from 1947 to present

* Håkon Hertzberg (1947–48)
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1954 – Dec 31, 1955)
* Håkon Hertzberg (1956) ·
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1957 – Dec 31, 1957)
* Håkon Hertzberg (1958–60)
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1961 – Dec 31, 1961)
* Håkon Hertzberg (1966)
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1967 – 1968)
* Karl Durspekt (1970)
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1971 – Dec 31, 1974)
* Tor Røste Fossen (1975–77)
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1978 – Dec 31, 1981)
* Svein Hammerø (1982) ·
* Karsten Johannessen (1 Jan 1985 – Dec 31, 1985)
* Brian Green (1986–87)
* Karsten Johannessen (1988 – Dec 31, 1989)
* Steve Perryman (1995)
* Teddy Moen (1 Jan 1996 – July 7, 1996)
* Karsten Johannessen (8 July 1996 – Dec 31, 1996)

* Jan Halvor Halvorsen (1 Jan 1999 – June 30, 2002)
* Guðjón Þórðarson (1 July 2002 – Dec 31, 2002)
* Bård Wiggen (2003)
* Tom Nordlie (1 Jan 2004 – July 14, 2006)
* Stig Inge Bjørnebye (15 July 2006 – Sept 5, 2007)
* Benny Lennartsson (Sept 9, 2007 – Dec 31, 2007)
* Arne Sandstø (1 Jan 2008 – Dec 31, 2008)
* Knut Tørum (1 Jan 2009 – July 9, 2011)
* Mons Ivar Mjelde (10 July 2011 – Sept 4, 2015)
* Bård Borgersen (Sept 4, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015)
* Steinar Pedersen (1 Jan 2016 – Sep 29, 2017)
* Mick Priest (30 Sep 2017 – Dec 1, 2017)
* Mark Dempsey (1 Dec 2017 – May 18, 2018)
* Mick Priest (18 May 2018 – 1 June 2018)
* Kjetil Rekdal (1 June 2018 – 2 April 2019)
* Jóhannes Harðarson (2 April 2019 – 14 June 2021)
* Sindre Tjelmeland (14 June 2021 – 9 January 2024)
* Azar Karadas (8 February 2024 – )

## European record

[edit]

Season  | Competition  | Round  | Club  | Home  | Away  | Agg.

|
|
|
|
|
|

1974–75 | UEFA Cup | First round  |  Djurgården | 1–2  | 0–5  | 1–7
1976–77 | UEFA Cup | First round  |  Wacker Innsbruck | 0–5  | 1–2  | 1–7
1977–78 | UEFA Cup | First round  |  Fram | 6–0  | 2–0  | 8–0
Second round  |  Eintracht Braunschweig | 1–0  | 0–4  | 1–4
1978–79 | UEFA Cup | First round  |  Esbjerg | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–1
1979–80 | European Cup | First round  |  Strasbourg | 1–2  | 0–4  | 1–6
1981–82 | European Cup | First round  |  AZ | 1–3  | 0–1  | 1–4
2006–07 | UEFA Cup | First qualifying round  |  Skála | 3–0  | 1–0  | 4–0
Second qualifying round  |  Drogheda United | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–1 (11–10 (p))
First round  |  Ajax | 2–5  | 0–4  | 2–9

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Start med sin første seier siden 4. juli i fjor: – Det kom en tåre i øyekroken". tv2.no (in Norwegian). TV2. 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
2. ^ Haus, Line (13 November 2017). "Start snur etter supporterstorm – endrer logo". NRK (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
3. ^ "Tilbake til blå og hvit vimpel". NRK (in Norwegian). 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
4. ^ "IK Start". NIFS (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
5. ^ "Start sin spillerstall" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to IK Start.

* Official website (in Norwegian)
* Menigheden – official fan club (archived 10 March 2016)

* v
* t
* e

IK Start

Grounds|

* Kristiansand Stadion
* Sør Arena
* Sørlandshallen

Seasons|

* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Norwegian First Division teams

Current (2025)|

* Aalesund
* Egersund
* Hødd
* Kongsvinger
* Lillestrøm
* Lyn
* Mjøndalen
* Moss
* Odd
* Ranheim
* Raufoss
* Skeid
* Sogndal
* Stabæk
* Start
* Åsane

* v
* t
* e

Eliteserien teams

Current (2025)|

* Bodø/Glimt
* Brann
* Bryne
* Fredrikstad
* HamKam
* Haugesund
* KFUM
* Kristiansund BK
* Molde
* Rosenborg
* Sandefjord Fotball
* Sarpsborg 08
* Strømsgodset
* Tromsø
* Vålerenga
* Viking

Former (active)|

* Aalesund
* Asker
* Birkebeineren
* Borg
* Brodd
* Djerv
* Djerv 1919
* Donn
* Drammen
* Egersund
* Eik Tønsberg
* Flekkefjord
* Fram Larvik
* Freidig
* Frigg
* Fyllingen
* Geithus
* Gjøvik-Lyn
* Grane
* Greåker
* Halsen
* Hamar
* Haugar
* Holmestrand
* Hødd
* Hønefoss
* Jarl
* Jerv
* Jevnaker
* Kongsberg
* Kongsvinger
* Kvik
* Kvik Halden
* Larvik Turn
* Lillestrøm
* Lisleby
* Lyn
* Mandalskameratene
* Minde
* Moelven
* Moss
* Mjølner
* Mjøndalen
* Nationalkameratene
* Neset
* Nessegutten
* Nordlandet
* Nordnes
* Nymark
* Odd
* Orkanger
* Os
* Pors
* Ranheim
* Raufoss
* Rollon
* Sandaker
* Sandefjord BK
* Sandnes Ulf
* Sarpsborg FK
* Selbak
* Skeid
* Skiens Grane
* Skiold
* Skreia
* Slemmestad
* Snøgg
* Sogndal
* Solberg
* Sparta Sarpsborg
* Sprint-Jeløy
* Stabæk
* Start
* Stavanger
* Steinkjer
* Storm
* Strindheim
* Strømmen
* Tistedalen
* Torp
* Urædd
* Vard
* Vardal
* Varegg
* Verdal
* Viggo
* Vigør
* Vikersund
* Voss
* Ørn Horten
* Ålgård

Former (defunct)|

* Berger
* Braatt
* Brage
* Clausenengen
* Drafn
* Falken
* Fjell
* Fredensborg
* Fremad
* Gjøa
* Hardy
* Kapp
* Kragerø
* Kristiansund FK
* Mesna
* Nydalen
* Rapid
* Skien
* Strong
* Tønsberg-Kameratene
* Tønsberg Turn
* Ulefoss
* Veblungsnes
* Årstad

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[Agg.]: Aggregate
*[(p)]: penalties
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template