BRANN YO-YO

Clubs that have erratic records was the theme yesterday and today with European matches in mind, I thought I would pursue a Norwegian club from Bergen called (once) Ski-og Fodbold Klubben Brann (the club catered for skiers, ice hockey and more activities). Founded by a bunch of lads in a local cafe, on the 26th September 1908, Brann is one of the more popular clubs in the country having an extraordinary "yo-yo" record similar to Sunderland or Newcastle in England. The Norwegian league was set up in 1937 and was known as the Norgesserien (Norwegian League). It then became the Hovedserien (The Main League) until 1962. Then the 1 Divijion until 1990 when a sponsor deal changed the name to Tippeligaen. This ended in 2016 when the sponsor was lost. Remember their season runs from April to November in any year.

In 1917 the club Moved to their Brann Stadion and played a Norwegian National side to celebrate. Their first title of any sort was the 1923 Cup Final beating Lynn 2-1.

It all began in 1959-60 when the club was in the Hovedserien or the Main League in Norway. They won promotion next season and then won the league title for two years running with super star winger Roald Jensen, who later went to Hearts. Two seasons later after winning the championship twice consecutively, the club went down! Having found themselves in the relegation zone, Brann lost their last match 0-1 to Raufoss, the bottom club, and had to drop to the second division.

Between 1979 and 1986 the club went up and down for eight years, (relegated in 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985), winning promotion each time and avoiding relegation in 1987. This was, at the time, a record for a "top flight" club. Only Aris of Cyprus bettered that yo-yo period from 1997 with ten years of ups and downs.

The club then gained stability remaining in the top flight until 2014 and were runners up last season 2016, qualifying for the Europa League with Sarpsborg 08. Winners Rosenborg play in the Champions League.

In 1996-7 they club won through to the European Cup Winners quarter-finals in 1996-7.

Brann won the Eliteserien (the latest name for the top division) in 2007, bettered only by Rosenborg who have 20 titles and are present title holders.

Here is the club history on their website which has got lots of pictures and even a cartoon.
http://www.brann.no/english/club-history
ps If you get a map of Norwegian Eliteserien clubs have a look at where Tromso come from compared to the other division opponents.