This is briefly about some of my beloved clubs in football in different countries. As you can read in the travel link, have I been lucky being able to visit many places and stadiums all over Europe. Here are some clubs which really has marked me for life:

Let's start in the heart of England with DERBY COUNTY F.C. - my long life love affair. <

I became addicted to this club at the age of seven. I did not know too much about what the league tables looked like, so my decision was not dependable on that. I still remember I very much disliked Liverpool and Leeds before I turned my eyes to Derby. What really made the decision was a colour photo of Derby legend Roy McFarland from one of the English football magazines. After that, there was no way back. My heart had found a stable position for the rest of my life. I am so glad I didn't choose one of the 4-5 teams which about 95% of all Norwegian footballsupporters choose as their team in England. Those supporters are from now in my terminology called gloryhunters.

I can still remember after the Championship season of 1974/75 they went on and bought my all time favourite player, Charlie George. This man, until then, famous for clinching the double for Arsenal in the 1971 Cup final with a cracking goal in the top corner. This signing proved to be a master stroke. Charlie George got a new lease of life. He scored all kinds of goals, shot penalties with such power the goalkeeper hardly knew what was going on, and he had his own special celebrations after scoring the goals. Derby were on the way to a famous "Double", and then suddenly everything went wrong. His partner upfront, Francis Lee, was banned for the remainder of the season after a fight with Leeds thug Norman Hunter and soon afterwards Charlie George was injured for the rest of season. This happened after Derby were top of the league and already qualified for the semi-finals of the F.A.cup. This proved to be the start of a downfall, and Derby were left without any trophies that season.

Derby were soon on the freefall, and in the beginning of the eighties Derby were relegated to the old third division and in addition facing bankruptcy. That was hard times, but also a time when pride came back in my life. For the second time in my life was I heading to England on Summer holiday. I went with some friends on motorbikes, and my brother and made an arrangement of renting a house for free in the Midlands. Even though there were no matches, I knew I was able to go to the Baseball Ground; the home of football. The ground shown live on telly so many times. It was a bit hard finding it, but as it was Summer the gates were open and we were allowed to enter the stadium, put my feet on the grass and I could walk up the stairs on the terraces and have a view of the stadium. It was very emotional. A dream had come true. I was proud. I knew then and there if I had been a gloryhunter I would never have been able to experience something like this.
 
I also asked someone if it was possible to buy some souvenirs. They said they were sorry as they hardly had anything left as it was Summer and waiting for a new season, but they had a few items in the office. That led to another unforgettable tour. A women took us through the inside of the stadium, and I could see trophy room, pub, changing rooms and manager's door before entering the reception. I could finally get my fingers into some Derby souvenirs and an unforgettable day had come to its end. This was also the start of Derby's recovery. They won promotion two seasons on the row after my visit, and Derby were back in the big time where it belonged.

In the beginning of the nineties Derby were again back in the 2nd division, and I was to make my first visit live for a match. It was a top of the table clash against Ipswich Town. I arrived Derby on the train Friday night, found myself a bed breakfast and went to the ground very early Saturday. I got my fingers on some more invaluable souvenirs. While I was waiting for the match I was reading a remembrance on a former hero, Steve Bloomer, on the wall outside the stadium. While I was doing that I got in touch with some local supporters, and one of them is my friend even today. Friendship lasts. Derby went on to win my first match at the Baseball Ground 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bobby Davison.

The last seasons I've seen them regularly. The first time at the new fantastic Pride Park Stadium was against the scum of Man United. I had a long football week-end trip with a scum supporter, and on a windy, rainy day the Rams played 1-1 after Deon "Neon" Burton had put us 1-0 up with 20 min to go. Unluckily enough did the scummies manage a lucky equaliser 10 minutes from time. 

This was the first of many visits, and when I watched Derby beat Chelsea 3-1 the following season I met again the friend I had met at my first match at Baseball Ground. We had not seen each other for years, and we had lost touch. What a reunion! We have stayed in touch ever since, and he has helped me a lot in my process moving to London. Football and Derby County builds friendship. 

At time of writing this, Derby County under John Gregory has just been relegated to the Nationwide 1st Division, but the Mighty Rams will bounce back! I am also proud of saying that I went to all matches I possibly could in the run in of the relegation season. True supporters follow their team even in hard times.

COME ON YOU RAMS!!!!!

All photos on this page is taken by Bjorge Undheim

Unfortunately not had time yet to write about clubs in Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. To be continued.......  Webmaster.