Lokomotive Bryggen

2019-25: Promotion from Division 3

Written 25 June 2019, 12:50

Season 2019-25 was without a doubt the most successful in the club's four months history. Not only did Lokomotive Bryggen secure the silver in the Scottish 3rd division one point ahead of De Gule Tropper, they also managed to get into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, earning prize money of 190K. All that despite four core players missing multiple matches due to injury and suspension.

Lokomotive Bryggen said farewell to two players from the starting 11 in the previous season. Icelandic midfielder Larus (132 caps) was replaced with fellow North Atlantic Ryberg of the Faroe Islands and the arrival of home boy Grauslund (born just 3 kms from Bryggen Arena) sent Brazilian left winger Mendonca (140 goals – second most in club history) out the door. German Team Manager Piontek says: “Ja aber, we must continue to improve our squad, doch. Ich kann you promise that these two Jungs will be great assets to Der Club”.

Bryggen continues its world tour and moves to Spain for the 2019-26 season. Bryggen is really currently only a Division 3 team but the Spanish Football Federation, RFEF placed the newcomers in the 2nd division. “Dass ist going to be tough”, Piontek says. To the question of whether the current squad is good enough he replies “Nein, dass I think not. Wir müssen after more good players looking. I already have a few in mind”. Only a few hours after the press conference Lokomotive Bryggen announced the signings of Welsh attacker Folland, Swedish left back Åstrøm and South African central defender Matlou, so Piontek surely acted to his words.

Financially the 2019-25 season was good. 6.5M was earned in the transfer market, which is very satisfying after the disastrous 2019-24 season where only 2.2M found their way to the Treasurer’s hands. Attendance money rose to 1.8M. The reason was obviously the good results on the pitch but also that the club owner chose to expand Bryggen Arena from 9K seats to 20K. Wages skyrocketed to 628K partly because of the signing of more expensive players, partly because of the hiring of five assistant coaches. “Ich am not getting any younger, doch” are the only words Piontek will share on that issue

On the subject of the goals for the 2019-26 season, Piontek says. “We will keep on developing the team and versuchen to not get relegated from Division 2 – which will be very very hard. Aber wir will kämpfen with all that we have. And we will do so by parking the bus, if you know what I mean, nudge nudge"

We wish Lokomotive Bryggen the best of luck in the upcoming season - surely they will need it!

Comments