Phil Bromley and Jarl Ivar Eriksen from Uglan. Photo: Tore Lyngvær

Translated from Norwegian by Jo Haigh.

Phil Bromley from Bolton in the Northwest of England took the long journey to the Northwest coast of Norway to Kristiansund to see KBK’s first match in the top division. Englands biggest KBK fan has been impressed with the changes to the stadium since he was last in town.

“I have had a great weekend in Kristiansund” said Phil to KSU 24/7. “So much has happened to the stadium since the last time I was here, its fantastic. I would have loved to have seen a win for this first match, but sadly it wasn’t to be.”

Phil met many of the players on our visit to the stadium today where many of the players know of him and stopped for a quick chat. This included the new keeper Sean from Ireland who grew up in Norway but is a product of the Arsenal youth system in England and had taken time to talk to him earlier in the weekend.

The first time Phil came to Kristiansund he took a flight to Molde. As soon as he got off the flight he could smell something terrible, when his driver turned up he asked about the smell — “Ah that’s Molde’ was the reply he received.

That’s the first and last time he’s been in Molde, said Phil laughing.

It is obvious that the friendly bloke from England loves KBK and Kristiandsund and has found many friends in Kristiansund. Jarl Ivar Eriksen from “Uglan” has been his tour guide for the trip and now he’s even been to visit Jarls parents and in-laws for a cup of tea, as well as spending time with the rest of the Uglan supporters group. He has even been keeping up to date on the hospital case and shares the dissapointment in how it has been handled.

“We had a small party in Christians Bar on friday, it was in full voice and full of friendly pepole. I had set off from Bolton at 5am and it was very late before I managed to go to bed!” he told ksu247.no.

Phil also spoke on the atmosphere at the game, he couldnt believe that the KBK and MFK supporters mingled in the same stand and in the bar on friday night. “It would never have happened in England” he said, “it would have ended up with a fight.”

Now his short trip is over, he is hoping it won’t be long until he can come back and visit his favorite Norwegian team and town.