Boldklubben Frem

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Boldklubben Frem (also known as Frem, BK Frem or BK Frem Copenhagen) is a Danish sports club based in the Valby-Sydhavnen area of Copenhagen. It is best known for its semi-professional football team. Since its foundation in 1886, Frem has won the Danish Championships six times and the Danish Cup twice. Until the disastrous bankruptcy in 1993, Frem had played in the top division all but six seasons. After the bankruptcy the club fought its way back to the top of Danish football, but in 2010 it went bankrupt again and was demoted to the Copenhagen Series—the fifth tier in the Danish league system. After two back to back promotions, the club now participates in the Danish 2nd Division, the third tier.

Frem
Full nameBoldklubben Frem af 1886
Nickname(s)Fremmerne
Short nameFrem
Founded17 July 1886; 137 years ago (1886-07-17)
as Fremskridtsklubbens Cricketklub
GroundValby Idrætspark, Copenhagen
Capacity10,000 (4,400 seats)
ChairmanMorten Reinholdt Boelskifte
Head coachHenrik Gundersen
League2nd Division
2023–243rd Division, 1st of 12 (promoted)
Website[[1] Club website]

The club also has a youth and amateur football branch, as well as a cricket team. It is also involved in the running of the KIES sports boarding school.

History

Early years

Frem's squad of the 1901–1902 Copenhagen Championship-winning season. The player at the very centre is Axel Byrval.

BK Frem were founded as Fremskridtsklubbens Cricketklub on 17 July 1886 by a group of seditious young men from the then government hostile Venstre Reform Party, as a cloak for political activities.[1] In 1887 football was introduced and the name was changed to Boldklubben Frem, stiftet af Fremskridtsklubben (lit. Danish: The Ball Club Forward, founded by the Progress Club).

In the first two years of the life of the club, only two sports matches were played, but when the Danish Football Association introduced a football tournament in 1889, the club was invited to participate, and in 1890 Frem became the first Danish club to beat KB in a football match. In 1902 Frem became unofficial Danish champions when they won the league played under the auspices of the Danish FA. This was the first ever senior title won by the club.

In 1905, the club moved to its own field at Enghavevej, Vesterbro, obtaining its distinct working class profile. To this day, both the Social Democrats and the Union of Metalworkers holds Frem sponsorships. In 1912, Frem joined the representative team Stævnet which arranged lucrative exhibition matches and played a decisive role in Danish football politics.

Match against AB around 1940. Frem players (hooped shirts): Pauli Jørgensen (far left), Johannes Pløger (2nd from right) and Erling Sørensen (far right).

Palmy days

In the years 1923–1944, Frem won six Danish Championships.

Division Yo-Yoing

Since 1983 Frem had been battling economically, and in 1993 saw themselves demoted to the Danmarksserien following a bankruptcy, which was due to a debt of DKK 8,500,000 and allegations of fraud.[2]

Following a short but expensive spell in the Superliga in 2003–2004, Frem were once again on the verge of bankruptcy with a debt of DKK 10,000,000.[3]

In 2010, after years of uncertain economy, the club once again went bankrupt and was demoted to the Copenhagen Series.[4]

Supporters

Frem's official supportergroup is called "BK Frem Support". It is Denmark's oldest supporters club, formed in 1986.Frem fans are especially known for unconditional love and support. Even when demoted to the fifth tier, attendances almost didn't drop.

Home ground

The clubhouse at Enghavevej, Vesterbro used 1905–1942.

Frem play their home matches at the modest and somewhat worn-down, municipality-owned Valby Idrætspark.

In the early years, Frem were located on Østerbro in Copenhagen, playing its matches at Blegdamsfælleden, alongside its main rivals in the early years; AB and KB. In 1905 Frem moved to its own field at Enghavevej, Vesterbro. Being a field-owning club gave Frem the advantage of entry fees. Its location however lead to some muttering from football fans who found it to be too far out of town.[5]

In 1942, Frem moved to Valby Idrætspark, where the current main stand was erected in 1965. Throughout the years a lot of matches has been played at Idrætsparken. It is unclear when this tradition was discontinued.

During the 2000s, there were several plans for a new stadium, but they were never realized.[6]

In 2006 the Copenhagen Municipality predicted that the main stand of the current Valby Idrætspark would last another 5–10 years.[7]
As of April 2007 major investments in the current stadium are put on hold as a decision on the construction of a new stadium is being awaited. A final decision is expected was April 2008.[8]

Hans Hermansen, then managing director of BK Frem, has indicated that according to the plan, the construction of a new stadium should commence no later than 2010.[9] However, the municipality estimated 2012.[10] Frem suggested that it might be completed by 2016.[11]

In January 2016 the municipality ordered a renovation of the existing stadium, worth 3 mio €, thus cancelling plans for a new stadium in the near future. The renovation is due ultimo 2017.[12][13]

Sponsorships

After the clubs bankruptcy in summer 2010, Frem got a helping hand from Danish brewery giant Carlsberg. Being from the same city they signed on as main sponsor, because they saw it as a chance to help the fellow Valby-based brand back on its feet.[14] In July 2013 an extension for three years was announced.[15] On 11 June 2016 it was prolonged for another three years.[16]
In June 2015 Frem announced they would switch back from Diadora to their old shirt partner, Hummel, starting from the 2015/2016 season.[17]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
1976–1977AdidasGaJol
1978HummelLee Cooper
1979Individual
1980–1983Mamiya Camera
1984SJL Banken
1985–1986Bilka
1987NikeNordania
1988–1989Adidas
1990KTAS
1990-1991Zürich Forsikring
1992–1994Alka
1995–1998BeltonaStøvsuger Banden
1998–2002Hummel
20023H Udlejning
2003–2005Altima
2005–2007Ramirent
2007–2010GB
2010–2013Carlsberg
2013–2015Diadora
2015–Hummel

Honours

Frem's squad of the 1943–1944 championship-winning season.

Players

Current squad

As of 3 February 2024[18]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
19FW  DENDiyar Avci
20DF  SRBAleksandar Spasojevic
21DF  DENRasmus Louie Larsen
22MF  DENJakob Klitsgaard
23MF  DENBerkay Şahin
24MF  DENAugust Andersen
26MF  DENZamir Aliji
28FW  DENLucas Lodberg
FW  DENBenjamin Warlo
DF  DENCasper Froulund
GK  DENTobias Søderstrøm
GK  DENLucas Poulsen
FW  KOSLorent Callaku
MF  DENMads Gernsøe
DF  DENNoah Schak

Club officials

As of 1 January 2023[19]

Chairman: Morten Reinholdt Boelskifte
Head Coach: Henrik Gundersen
Assistant Coach: Torben Frost Clausen
Goalkeeping Coach: Emeka Andersen
Fitness Coach: Martin Frandsen
Reserve Team Coach: Jens Berglid
U19 Team Coach: Kim Voss
U17 Team Coach: Claus Jørgensen

Head Coach history

NameNationalityFromToHonoursCommentsRefs
Henrik Gundersen  Denmark17 June 2023Present[20]
Christoffer Sick Balle  Denmark2 December 20226 June 2023[21][22]
René Henriksen  Denmark27 January 202021 November 2022[23][24]
Allan Ravn  Denmark20 June 201927 January 2020[25][26]
Lasse Holmgaard  Denmark1 July 201813 May 2019[27][28]
Martin E. Jensen  Denmark14 August 201730 June 2018Caretaker[29]
Danny Jung  Denmark1 January 201714 August 2017[30]
René Henriksen and Michael Mio Nielsen  Denmark10 October 201631 December 2016Caretakers[31]
Henrik Gundersen  Denmark29 April 201410 October 2016Originally had contract until end of 2017[32][33]
Henrik Jensen  Denmark1 July 201229 April 2014Originally had contract until summer 2014[34]
John 'Tune' Kristiansen  Denmark18 June 201223 June 2012Caretaker for one league match
Peer F. Hansen  Denmark1 January 201218 June 2012Promoted to the third tier[35]
John 'Tune' Kristiansen  Denmark27 July 201030 December 2011Promoted to the fourth tierOriginally had contract until summer 2012[36]
René Heitmann  Denmark17 July 201027 July 2010Never coached the team in a match
Christian Andersen  Denmark11 July 200919 June 2010Relegated to the third tierClub went bankrupt after the season[37]
Anders Theil  Denmark7 November 20057 July 2009Originally had contract until summer 2011[38]
Ebbe Skovdahl  Denmark11 October 20036 November 2005Relegated to the second tierOriginally had contract until summer 2007[39]
Ole Mørk  Denmark15 October 200110 October 2003Promoted to the first tierOriginally had contract until end of 2004[40][41]
Johnny Petersen  Denmark5 May 199814 October 2001Originally had contract until end of 2001
John 'Tune' Kristiansen  Denmark19964 May 1998Promoted to the second tier

Season-by-season results

Recent years

SeasonPosPtsPldWDLGFGAGD
15-16: 2nd Division Promotion Group#4/1234167272722+5
14-15: 2nd Division East#2/16613018755627+29
13-14: 2nd Division East#8/163830911104644+2
12-13: 2nd Division East#7/164830146104540+5
11–12: Denmark Series Pool 1#1/14512615655429+25
10–11: Copenhagen Series#1/14672621419218+74
09-10: 1st Division#15/16283077163859−21
08-09: 1st Division#11/163630812104153−12
07-08: 1st Division#11/163330123154654−8
06-07: 1st Division#5/16503014884843+5
05-06: 1st Division#10/164030117124742+5
04-05: 1st Division#3/16593017856130+31
03-04: Superliga#11/12273383224065−25
02-03: 1st Division#2/16583018486443+21

League status

Post 1993 bankruptcy and demotion

Danish 2nd DivisionDenmark SeriesFootball in Denmark#League systemDanish 1st DivisionDanish SuperligaDanish 1st DivisionDanish 2nd Division EastDenmark Series


Green denotes the highest level of football in Denmark; yellow the second-highest; red the third-highest; black the fourth-highest; grey the fifth-highest.

All time


Green denotes the highest level of football in Denmark; yellow the second-highest; red the third-highest; black the fourth-highest; grey the fifth-highest.

European competitions record

SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate
1967–68Inter-Cities Fairs Cup1R Athletic Bilbao0–12–32–4
1969–70UEFA Cup Winners' Cup1R FC St. Gallen2–10–12–2
1972–73UEFA Cup1R FC Sochaux2–13–15–2
2R FC Twente0–50–40–9
1977–78UEFA Cup1R Grasshoppers0–21–61–8
1978–79UEFA Cup Winners' Cup1R AS Nancy-Lorraine2–00–42–4
1992–93UEFA Cup1R Neuchâtel Xamax4–12–26–3
2R Real Zaragoza0–11–51–6

Cricket

Cricket squad, 1898.

Club

The Cricket branch is one of the oldest in Denmark.[42]
It is still active and at the moment have a team in the 2nd-best tier.

Officials

Chairman: Kingsley Peiris

Honors

  • Copenhagen Champions
    • Winners (2): 1894, 1898

.

Footnotes and references