DJ’S JOTTINGS – NUMBER 5 (Faroe Islands)

 

When colleagues at work found out I was going to the Faroes some assumed I was going to Egypt or some exotic South Sea islands!!  I am sure most football followers at least, will be aware the Faroes are in fact in the North Atlantic between the Shetlands, Iceland and Norway. A week-long trip at the start of June allowed both international grounds to be visited for World Cup qualifiers.

 

I flew from Gatwick to Aberdeen with British Airways and then from Aberdeen to Vagar (Apologies but my keyboard does not allow all the little lines and dots that appear above and through the Faroese alphabet) with Atlantic Airways. You can in fact now fly from Stansted with just a short stopover in Aberdeen. As you come in round the towering island of Mykines, past sea stacks and up a fjord it feels a bit like a Dambusters run.

 

An overnight stay near the airport allowed us to sample the local beer at the Hotel Vagur, as well as the local ‘delicacy’ known as wind dried lamb, or rancid rubber as we christened it. A helicopter flight with breathtaking views over some of the 18 islands that make up the Faroes, then whisked us over to Klaksvik, the 2nd largest town and centre for the Northern islands.

 

Whilst in Klaksvik we visited the ground of KI (Klaksvikar Itrotterfelag) which as with all club grounds in the Faroes has an astroturf pitch. Up till 1986 they all played on sand or mud! KI are the joint most successful Faroese side with 17 league titles to their name and celebrated their centenary last year.  The ground has a sizeable stand with about 10 rows of bench seating.  The only action on while we were there was the annual teachers v. students match and a KI reserve game, all the matches in the top two divisions being postponed due to the internationals. Each of these games was interrupted by outstanding hospitality.  One of the club coaches took us to the local newspaper offices to get old programmes and then back to his house for coffee, cakes and photos of his time working with Andy Irvine at Everton. Later a group of locals including an ex-KI goalkeeper with 17-years service at the club and the only UEFA qualified referee in the Faroes, forced us to go for drinks with them. 

 

The Faroe Islands have had a league competition since 1942 but their Football Association was not formed until 1979 and only in 1988 did they become members of FIFA. There are now 22 clubs, all non-professional and the 5 league divisions include second and third teams of the leading sides. Most clubs have just the one pitch which stage youth, veterans and women’s matches as well as the men’s. When no games are on children are freely allowed to use the facilities. With artificial pitches this is not a problem.

 

On the Saturday it’s Faroes v. Switzerland. A ferry and a bus take us to the Svangaskard National Stadium in Toftir. The ground was opened in 1992 and had the first grass pitch in the islands for nearly 80 years. In view of the extremely changeable weather in these parts the fact that there is practically no cover is a little surprising.  Just a small section for VIP’s and press on the upper level of the central clubhouse / changing room block is the only area protected from the elements. The remainder of the ground has steeply banked seating, about 20 rows along the sides and 5 or 6 at the ends, giving a total capacity of about 5,000. Unlike most internationals, standing to the rear of the seating areas is allowed and the scenic views around the ground are amazing.

 

The Faroes give a fine account of themselves in the match, coming from 1-0 down to level with 20 minutes left. The Swiss are quickly ahead again, but only a fine save denies the home side a second equaliser. A further goal from Alexander Frei sees the Swiss victorious 3-1 in the end. Most of the Faroes’ side are home-based but 4 play in Denmark, 1 in Iceland and 1, Claus-Bech Jorgenson, at Coventry City. Many of the Klaksvik supporters boycott the game because their star striker is omitted from the squad. Tottenham’s Reto Ziegler is in the Switzerland side.

 

The ground of Toftir’s club side B 68, is immediately next to the Svangaskard. This is at the centre of a running track and has open bench seating built into the bank all along the near side.

 

The following day we called in at the ground of IF (Itrotterfelag Fuglafjordur) and watched the second half of their reserve game which is of a surprisingly good standard. The ground is set on a plateau above the town. Most people watch from the road some 40 metres or so above pitch level although there is a narrow area of hard-standing some 10 metres above the pitch. With sea and mountainous slopes beyond it is certainly a ground with a view.

 

The final football action of the trip takes place in the capital Torshavn where approximately 40% of the total population of the islands live. There are three grounds at the sports complex: an astroturf pitch used for training and reserve matches, the Gundadalur Stadium with astroturf pitch, used by Torshavn’s three club sides, HB, B 36 and Fram and the Faroes’ second national ground the Torsvollur Stadium, with grass pitch.

 

The Torsvollur is three-sided with uncovered seating on each side and a total capacity of 6,000. The weather restricts the crowd to about 4,500. A large number of Irish fail to appear as the airport is closed all day. Two planes actually depart Dublin but are forced to divert to Bergen in Norway! The Irish gain a comfortable if unspectacular victory through a dubious penalty converted by Ian Harte and a wickedly deflected Kevin Kilbane shot.

 

Aside from the pitch, the next door Gundadlur Stadium is the more impressive, having three covered stands. The two main club sides, HB (17 times league champions and 25 times cup winners) and B 36 (7 league titles and 3 cup wins) each have their own almost identical stands with clubhouses to the rear, on one side. A modern all-seated stand runs pitch length on the opposite side. Prior to tonight’s match we visit the clubhouses of HB, B 36 and Fram, obtaining programmes from each. While waiting accidentally find ourselves in the sponsors lounge being plied with free food and drink. The Chairman of the Faroyar Bank, who are the main sponsors, introduces himself to us and does not seem at all concerned about our presence there.

 

The craik before the game with the Faroes and Irish sharing their passions for drinking and singing was most enjoyable and overall it was an excellent trip. Off to get some kip now. It’s very difficult to sleep when it never gets dark!!