About a month ago, they had six points after 18 games. After a disastrous start to the season, Kristiansund now hopes to save their place in the Eliteserien with three straight victories. – Now we have an upswing, but before that it was heavy on lead. Of course we go through a lot of feelings, both good and bad, says Rita Olsen in the Uglan supporters’ club. Rita Olsen in “Uglan” does not dare to believe that KBK is still in the Eliteserien, but says three victories in a row tasted crazy good. But there is more that threatens the position of the nordmørs club, which has played in the top division for almost six years. The economy is flashing red. It is so precarious that the club already at the beginning of September went out and asked supporters with season tickets nicely if they could renew for 2023. “The financial situation of the club is very demanding. In this year’s budget, we have budgeted for the sale of players to give us a net profit of 5 million, which we have not realized so far. This is in addition to declining match day income and less income from the marketing and media agreement”, writes the daily manager of KBK, Kjetil Thorsen, in a response to news. – It’s sad that people run away in bad periods, that’s when you need supporters. I think unfortunately it will be like that in all clubs, says Olsen. Previously, the club had sold season tickets for two million kroner, a huge response according to Thorsen. He is also satisfied that they have sold sponsorship agreements for NOK 13 million so early. This letter was sent out to all season ticket holders early in September. Graphics: Screenshot Newspaper Tidens Krav mentioned this first. Risking point deductions In collaboration with the NFF, the club has drawn up an action plan for three years, to get the club out of the red economic zone, which they entered at the turn of the year. In the Eliteserien, Jerv and Haugesund are also in the same boat. Kjetil Thorsen, day-to-day manager of Kristiansund ball club. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / Marius André Jenssen Stenberg “In the action plan it appears that the finances of the club will get worse before they get better. The consequences of not reaching the target in the plan may be that we get points deducted”, writes Thorsen. He further explains that the club works around the clock to reduce costs and find money, to get the result as close to balance as possible. – The 3-2 match against Vålerenga last weekend has created optimism among the KBK supporters. It was magical, almost like the promotion cigar. It sat so far in and tasted so incredibly good, says Rita Olsen in “Uglan”. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB – Desperate situation Because both the financial and the sporting situation are critical, it is even more important for KBK to retain their place in the Eliteserien, says sports commentator at news, Jan Petter Saltvedt. – Several tens of millions flow just to be part of the Eliteserien and the match package that TV 2 as the new rights holder offers, which is higher than the club has ever received. Then the consequences of a relegation become even clearer. The timing is as bad as it can be for Kristiansund, says Saltvedt. Sports commentator at news, Jan Petter Saltvedt believes that KBK is in a very worrying situation. He believes it is a bad sign that a top club depends on a budgeted playing hall. – It indicates a rather desperate situation and that is where Kristiansund is now. The worst showcase is playing for a bottom team. You need to win matches and show some younger players who have market value, says Saltvedt. It is not entirely black, because he sees a change in the mentality of the team that makes it affordable to climb up to the qualification place. If they fail to do so, the economy can spin out of control in the worst case scenario. – Then it can quickly end in dismissals and renegotiation of contracts. In the first half, there may be points drawn, but somewhere far away on the horizon there is a relegation in the division, says Saltvedt. Kristiansund is second last in the Eliteserien with 16 points. There are six points up to Sandefjord and a qualification place. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB
ttn-69
Kristiansund ball club can avoid relegation – but struggle with finances – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
