Around the World Part 3 - Norway

From the sticky heat of Singapore, this week Oz has cast off his Sarong for the thermal comfort of ear muffs, woolly hat & lined gloves. Part 3 of “Around the World” the Everton supporter club series comes from icy Stavenger. MattyOz would like to Introduce Roy Stian Mydland from the Norwegian Branch of the Everton Family. Oz would also like to commend Roy Stian for his efforts and excellent input, as this was the first of the series where language was somewhat a barrier, but as you will note this was conquered and the interview was as follows.

Roy Stian is a Board Member of the official Norwegian branch of the Everton Supporters Club. Roy is also the creator and Webmaster of the clubs official web site.

The Norwegian branch of the Everton family predominately is a Norwegian club, however this club also has Danish based members and Roy went on to say that anyone whom can understand the Norwegian dialect is welcome to come aboard.

To get the ball rolling Roy, would you tell Oz a little about the history and inspiration behind the Norwegian branch of the Global Everton community?

“The ESCNB was established by Jan Roger Henriksen back in the mid 80's. He is no longer active in the supporters club, but he managed to build up a great club with 300+ active members. We still have over 300 members and the number of members is increasing”.

Impressive numbers, what does your organization do to service & further involve its club members?

“We are producing a magazine called the Goodison Roar. The editor of this magazine is Terje Roll Elgsaas. We also arrange tours to Goodison for the members and as mentioned we are running the website, which can be accessed via the following link”. http://www.evertonfc.no/

Typical match days: where, when, time etc, what goes on, where do you watch matches, whom attends, time of day matches are from UK, what happens etc?

“In Norway it is quite common to support an English Football Club. In the70's the TV-channel NRK - Norsk Riks Kringkasting started to show English football matches every Saturday. Now they have lost their rights to a commercial channel. Canal+ shows most of the same matches that are screened by Sky, plus they show Saturday matches too. All the pubs in Norway are also showing the games so it's quite common to meet friends over a pint to see the games there. Local time for kick-off is 16:00”.

Yes it generally seems Evertonians on a universal scale like nothing more than meeting up for a few pints to cheer on their team. For that reason when you are shouting for the Blues what poison do you guys enjoy the most? And honestly tell us about this weather and your climate?

“While watching the games in the pubs we drink beer. The most famous brands of beer in Norway are Ringnes, Tou, Hansa and Mack”. And about that weather? “We do have summer, autumn, winter and spring as you, but I guess we have colder conditions a lot more snow than you have in Britain. The south of Norway is very much the same as in Britain, but up north they have really cold winters -30c sometime”.

Brrrrrr!! A far cry from the balmy outdoor atmosphere those poor souls in Singapore have to endure! However, back to issues of a football nature, where does the game rank in your homeland? And could you add anything on Local Norwegian football?

“Football is without a doubt the most popular sport in Norway. The biggest Norwegian football clubs are Rosenborg, Viking and Vaalerenga. Viking is my favourite Norwegian club and I'm a season ticket holder at Stavanger Stadion. They play on Sundays and the season is from April to October so it doesn't clash with the Premier League”.

We are all aware of the impact Norwegian Footballers have had on the premiership in recent years, who are the names that receive a lot of focus back home?

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Steffen Iversen, Eirik Bakke, Tore Andre Flo, John Arne Riise and of course Thomas Myhre who played for my local club Viking before joining Everton”.

No doubt those are Handles well known by all premiership fans. What then of other English clubs in Norway, who else are Norwegians screaming for? Are their other supporters clubs?

“The biggest supporters clubs in Norway are Man.Utd, Liverpool and Leeds. Spurs, Everton and Newcastle are a bit smaller, but they are all active. But it's quite interesting that almost every English football club has a Norwegian supporters club”.

Roy lists his current Everton Favourites as Gravesen, Yobo and of course Wayne Rooney.

On that note Oz then asked for a view on the Duke & David Moyes. Roy went on to reply that the-“Last time I was at Goodison was in September vs. Blackburn Rovers. This lad is amazing. Let's hope he can keep his feet on the ground and he will be great for us”.

He truly is amazing, and what about the Gaffer?

“I think what Moyes has done to the club is nothing short of a miracle. He has few resources and has created a competitive team with what he has. I think he is getting the best out of each player and is building a team around that. What WS did was the exact opposite I think. WS was a man that just "steadied the ship”.

On a personal note Roy what are your greatest EFC memories and do you have any all time favourite players?

“'I’ve been an Evertonian since the mid 80's but I do not really remember the Glory days quite much. I was young then. My best Everton-memory has to be The FA-Cup victory in 95“.

Who’s top on you’re list of past Evertonian’s?

“My all time favourite would have to be Neville Southall. And the spirit of Joe Parkinson was tremendous”.

So there it is another insight into the Global Everton family. Once again MattyOz would like to thank Roy Stian for his time, accessibility and openness.

With a 300 strong member base, Everton Football Club is truly well supported in both Norway & Denmark. Oz has noted many common bonds amongst Evertonians the World over, noticeably the “passion & dedication” of supporters from all walks of life in many a far-flung corner.

The subsequent and for now final segment of the supporters club series will next be conveyed to readers from Chicago Illinois, the home town of recent prolific goal scorer and Everton new boy Brian McBride. MattyOz will be touching down and shooting the breeze with the secretary of the Official North American Everton Supporters club, once again stay tuned.

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