Larvik Fotball
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| Full name | Larvik Fotball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Ground | Fram stadion |
Larvik Fotball was a Norwegian association football club from Larvik. It existed from late 1999 to early 2004, and both succeeded and was succeeded by IF Fram. A cooperation between several Larvik-based clubs, it experienced two straight promotions to the Norwegian Second Division and played there for the rest of its existence. It ultimately capsized due to bad economy. Notably, the club never managed to form a cooperation with city rivals Larvik Turn.
It was founded in 1999 to strengthen the city of Larvik in Norwegian football. A direct inspiration was Sandefjord BK and IL Runar from the neighboring city Sandefjord, who merged their men's senior teams to form Sandefjord Fotball in 1998, with success. Larvik Turn & IF was the city's most successful team in the past, but declined to join the merger. Instead, the merger was initiated and spearheaded by IF Fram, who was joined by Halsen IF and Tjølling IF, as well as Nanset IF, IL Sporty and SK Stag.
Their head coach was well-known Dag Vidar Kristoffersen. The new team Larvik Fotball took over Fram's spot in the league pyramid, in the Fourth Division (fifth tier). Curiously, Halsen and Tjølling played in the same league. The 2000 season ended with promotion for Larvik Fotball. In May 2001 the club debuted in the Norwegian football cup (and was eliminated by Odd Grenland), and at the end of 2001 the team had won their league and eliminated Vindbjart FK in the playoff for the Second Division. At the same time, reports went out that the club economy was "halting". Larvik Turn still declined to join the merger.
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