10) Tommy Knarvik
Probably the best Norwegian never to play for United. U21 international Tommy arrived on trial in the summer of 2001 after his release from Leeds United. He made only two league appearances for Leeds, which was considerably more than he made for us. Presumably we couldn't afford him as he went home to Norway and played for some big clubs over there including Brann and Viking. Still currently playing for Bodo/Glimt, with some 250 plus total Tippelagen games to his name.
9) Stig Olav Larsen
One of the first players of the viking invasion of 1997, yet the one who made the least impact. Surprising as he seemed to fit the ideals of at late 90s division three striker - big and strong with little skill. On loan to us from Fana IL in December 1997 he made only 5 appearance, all as sub. Released May 1998
8) Rune Vindheim
A central defender who I always thought was dutch for some reason. Was the only norwegan to arrive at Hartlepool from another English club - Burnley. He'd been plying his trade in his home country with Brann, Sogndal and Fana before arriving at Turf Moor in 98/99. He made only eight appearances for the Clarets, making his debut at Maine Road and his last at in a local derby with Preston. He also managed to net two goals. He came to Pools at the start of 99/00 on a short term contract to cover the injured Gary Strodder, and made his debut in a 3-0 win over Plymouth. He played fairly well in his seven starts without really standing out. Boss Chris Turner tried to sort him out with a longer term deal but negotiations didn't go well, and by that time Strodder was back and Chris Westwood outstanding, so Rune's contract was allowed to expire. He returned to Norway and later became manager of Fana in 2010.
7) Thomas Tennebo
One word to some this lad up. Unfortunate. Yet another player to arrive from Fana in summer 1999, this central midfielder looked very promising in his three week trial. Made a superb debut away at Carlisle and took only three minutes to make the assist for the opening goal. Didn't play much after that, picking up a horrendous knee injury that kept him out the rest of 99/00. He returned to play another ten games of so but didn't look the same and returned home to Fana in 2001. Still turning out for Arstad IL where he's been since 2008.
6) Jon Andre Fredriksen
One of the more recent vikings to play for United. Having played for Rade and Moss, he arrived at Pools from Sarpsborg in summer 2009. A midfielder who could be used in middle or on the left, I saw him play Sheff Wed in a friendly I could tell he wouldn't be with us long. Looked too slight and not strong enough for League One. Didn't see him play again after that, but think I was proven right as he made only 12 appearances before his contract was mutually terminated in October 2010. Returned home to Moss.
5) Tim Sperrevik
A big strong striker gave the Pools defence a torrid time in a pre-season friendly at Fana. He duly arrived on trial at Pools and was given a two year contract. Failed to find the form he had showed playing against Pools and struggled to settle in England. Was given a fair few chances in the team, four starts and 11 subs and scoring just once. 'Spunky' though became a bit of a cult hero of mine though, as he always tried his hardest. Despite failing to settle in this country he picked up the swear words easily, which he showed when he was sent off at Brighton for verbally abusing the ref. Returned home to Fana.
4) Armann Bjornsson
Ok I'm cheating a bit here - Bjornsson is Icelandic - but I was struggling for ten Norwegians, but he's still a Scandinavian. Albeit not the best. I remember being fairly excited when he came to us. Had played for some big Scandinavian clubs in Lillestrom, Bran and FH and had a few international caps to his name, plus I'd signed him once on Champ Man and had done pretty well. Made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Wycombe in 2009. Scored his first goal at Elland Road, Pools only of the game. Unfortunately Leeds scored four. After pre-season 2010 Chris Turner pinned hopes of him becoming the big target man Pools had required for a good number of years, and he started in the first game of the season away at Rochdale. And was shit. By far the worst player in Pools colours. Made only 18 appearances for Pools, scoring three. Was voted in a FourFourTwo supplement recently as Hartlepool's worst ever foreign player. And he made it into my top five. Shows the calibre of the Norwegians who have turned out for us...
3) Rune Lange
Certainly the one of the biggest names to played for Hartlepool and he makes it into the top three on reputation only, not what he did in a United shirt. Was a big name in Norway and had played at the highest level in Turkey with Trabzonspor and in Belgium with Club Brugge. In fact with Brugge he'd netted some 50 odd goals in just over a hundred appearances, winning his sole international cap whilst there. He came to Pools from Valerenga in 2008/09 and the 32 year old target man looked promising in draws with Walsall and Leicester. He scored against MK Dons but his shoulder was badly injured in the same game and that was the end of his Pools career. He returned to fitness but was not offered a new contract. A shame.
2) Martin Hollund
Former U21 international Martin arrived from Brann on a free transfer in winter 1997 and finally put and end to Pools goalkeeping issues. Since 1995 we'd used about ten different custodians. He spent the first month at United without a contract but did enough to convince the board he was worthy of a deal. Made a solid debut in a 2-0 over Barnet, the first of 117 Poolie games between the sticks. A good shot stopper with superb reactions, however was indecisive when coming out to catch crosses. Had a minor blip in 1998/99 when Pools were rock bottom of the league and was suffering with low confidence - boss Mick Tait told Hollund he had no future at Hartlepool, opting to play Tasmanian Simon Miotto instead. Eight games later Tait was sacked and caretaker boss Brian Honour reinstated Hollund and with some solid appearances helped us avoid relegation. Eventually ousted of first team duties by Tony Williams in 2001, he transferred to home country club Lov-Ham as keeper, but also curiously playing as a striker for non league Bremnes IL. Retired in 2007 but due to lack of playing staff was Lov-Hams bench keeper in 2010 and made an apperance as sub in 2011 when their first choice was sent off. Holds the distinction of most appearances for a Norwegian for Pools. A legend.
1) Jan Ove Pedersen
Played only 17 games for Hartlepool but ask any Poolie who saw him play and they'll tell you he was pure class. Regularly features in Hartlepool best XI sides despite his low games tally. Arrived on loan from Brann during the Norway winter break, in order to keep fit and make a push for Norway's World Cup 98 squad. Don't think he ever made it to France but we're pleased he made it to French monkey hangering Hartlepool. A cultured midfielder who'd represented Norway at every international level from U15 to full seniors - 17 caps and a goal at full level - and it showed he was a class act, better than anyone Hartlepool had ever had and arguably have had since. Looked a cut above the shower of shite surrounding him, and was made to look daft at times as the rest of the squad weren't on the same wave length. Still his skills shone through turning Pools fortunes around, as the relegation favourites took the league by storm...and finished 17th. Scored a quality goal at home to Darlo which sticks out in my mind. The fans wanted him to stay but it was never going to happen, and he went home to Brann. Summer 1999 Pools made a rather audacious attempt to bring Peds back, offering him £3000 a week and Brann £50k. But Brann stalled allowing Austrian side Bregnez to table a £60k bid and he promptly joined them, a club he would later go on to manage. The ultimate Hartlepool United cult hero (of any nationality).
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