Ribe, Jutland, was the main attraction for this years summer holliday, doing different walks and wanderings. Staying at a manor in Grodinglund, out on the countryside, a few miles away from the city of Ribe, known as the oldest in Denmark.
No special relations to the area, just a bit of info about it being nice, friendly and old fashion. Then to end up following The Night Watchman, and visiting Men at Sea, made good memories of a very friendly and lovely place, that also included a lot of other special happenings.
Always when travellilng you know there is a football team in the area, also this time stopping the car just a walk outside Blue Water Arena, the home of Esbjerg fB. Martin Braithwaite, just recently joining Brazilian club Gremio, with a past at Barcelona and Espanyol, was born in Esbjerg and played for fB from 2009 to 2013. The club turns 100 years this year and their history is one of very many up’s and down’s as life just now is a bit up, but far from where they like to be, being stranded in the 2nd tier, promoted last season from the 3rd. This makes their history one to dive deep into as we go as far back as the 1948 Olympics in London.
The Football tournament in the 1948 London Olympics had their winners in Sweden, Denmark gets the bronze medal, after defeating Great Britain in the bronze final. The Danish squad had one player from Esbjerg fB, Viggo Jensen. He was, 28 years of age, a physically strong midfield player with great fitness and tackling ability, as well as flair and technique.
Great Britain had a team of amateur players from England, Scotland and Wales, but that did not stop professional clubs in England being drawn and attracted to the Swedes and Danes in this Olympic football tournament. Esbjerg’s, Viggo Jensen, was one of the players that made a move to England and became a legend over years at Hull City. He played for The Tigers from 1948 to 1956, stopping his tally of Danish caps on only 15, as he turned professional. He never changed club in England and appeared 308 times in the league, scoring 51 goals.
Esbjerg fB continued their life in Danish amateur football, but sill possibly very proud of Viggo Jensen, as he returned to the club and became their head coach in 1956. The club reached their peak in the 1960’s, this time under the command of Austrian maestro, Rudi Strittich. Jens Peter Hansen and Carl Emil Christiansen are also names special from this era. Esbjerg fB became Danish league champions in 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965, they came close in 1968, but ended runners-up. In 1969 the had to see themselves relegated, waiting five years for their return to the top flight.
Rudi Strittich returned to the club in 1976, being the head coach of Denmark from 1970 to 1975, being the one giving Morten Olsen his debut in the full national team. When returning to Esbjerg fB, Strittich became influential in a new successful era, having players such as goalkeeper Ole Kjær and midfielder Jens Jørn Bertelsen. Two players that are legends in special perspective at this football club. Esbjerg fB won their last Danish league championship in 1979, ending runners-up in the 1978 season. Cup winners in 1976, building on that one single cup winners medal from 1964.
The club had their up’s and down’s during the 80’s, 90’s as most seasons were in the top flight, but certain years having a turn in the tier below. This continued until the 2020’s with a special round of good results in the seasons between 2012 to 2017, also winning the Danish cup for a third time in 2013. In charge was Jesse Thorup. a former player, who had played for the club from 1998 to 2005. Thorup is today in charge of Bundesliga club FC Augsburg. The up and coming Thorup left Esbjerg fB to take charge of Denmark U.20 national team. He has since been in charge of Midtjyllad and Belgian clubs Gent and Genk, then a two year stay at Copenhagen, before making his move to German Bundesliga in 2023.
Esbjerg fB has seen only one season in the top flight since 2020, and later even being relegated to the 3rd tier of Danish football, but turning 100 years this year, they are back in the 2nd tier. A turbulent time for the club that at one time was owned by the company that also had ownership of Barnsley, Oostende and Nancy, but as of today they have local owners and are looking forward to yet another climb.
During these recent turbulent years, stars such as Rafael van der Vaart, Martin Dubravka and Kostas Tsimikas, among others, are just a handfull of names who have turned out in the blue and white jersey.
We do believe life again will change for Esbjerg fB, today under the command of club legend, Lars Lungi Sørensen, in his second spell as head coach, having had the role from 2016 to 2017, taking over from another very known footballing man, former Derby player and England international, Colin Todd.
Hopefully “Henrik” and his Esbjerg fB will turn the tide, celebrating 100 years as Men At Sea sitting calmly waiting for perfect waves at Blue Water Arena.
CHECK YOUR FOOTBALL RESULTS
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
A TRUSTED SOURCE ON MAN CITY NEWS
Leave a Reply