Bryne Fotballklubb () is a professional football club located in Bryne, Norway, which competes in the 1. divisjon, the second tier of Norwegian football. Founded on 10 April 1926 as Bryne Fotball-lag, the club joined the Norwegian Football Federation in 1929 and has played its home matches at Bryne Stadion since 1945.
History
Foundation and early years (1926–1946) Prior to 1937, the club did not keep any records, therefore there is limited information available about the early years of the club's history. Private matches were the only fixtures played until 1929, when Bryne's first official match was played against neighbouring club Klepp, ending in a 4–4 draw.
Bryne played their home matches on various pastures in the Jæren area from their formation, with grazing conditions determining the location of the fields used. The majority of the 1930s and early 1940s were spent playing on a small, rented field next to Bryne Mill, before acquiring the site of their current home ground, Bryne Stadion, at the end of the 1930s. After years of playing on borrowed fields, the club built its own stadium in 1945. At the time of its inauguration in September 1946, the stadium's grass pitch was one of the largest in the country and a far cry from the dimensions of the Bryne Mill field, which measured only 85x55 meters.
In 1937, the team became district champions by defeating Vard Haugesund 3–1 in the final. Players from this time included Leonard Lura, the brothers Sigurd, Ingvar, and Bjarne Løge, Kåre Hansen, and Bjarne Thu.
During World War II, football was put on hold, although some illegal matches were played. After the war, Bryne would experience sporting success. In 1946, the junior team became champions of Western Norway by defeating Pallas 2–1 in Bergen. The core of this junior team would form the senior team for many years to come. Players from this era included Laurits B. and Odd H. Sirevaag, Karl Vaaland, Martin and Kåre Thu. Laurits B. Sirevaag, in particular, was an important player.
Local league and rise to national top tier (1949–1975) In 1949, Bryne won the local third tier and was promoted to the local second tier. The promotion to the local first tier came in 1964 after the club had come close on several occasions. Players from this time included Kjell Lura, Kristian Hamre, Olav Sigbjørnsen, Gaute Skrudland, Per Undheim, Tor Jan Skretting, Aasbjørn Aasland, Reidar Omdal, Torbjørn Reime, Magnus Grødem, Bjarne Undheim, and Johannes Vold. Since then, Bryne has belonged to the middle and top level of Norwegian football.
In the early 1970s, Bryne were relegated down to the third division for a season and the team had to undergo a renewal. A good youth team had emerged, becoming county champions by beating Sola 10–1 in the final. Many of these young players would come to play a central role just a few years later, with many forming the core of the team that secured promotion to the top division in 1975.
Bryne had come close to promotion to the national first division on several occasions but stumbled at the finish line. The goal ahead of the 1975 season was undoubtedly direct promotion to the first division. Gustav Hult returned as coach. The amount of training was increased from 3 sessions per week to four, and money was set aside for a training camp for the players and their families in the summer. The club had strengthened the team with 3 new players. Charles Tjessem from Figgjo, Arild Aadnesen from Nærbø, and Nils Steinsland from Orre. In addition, three junior players had been promoted to the first team. Kjell Tjåland, Gunnar Orre, and Jan Øvernes.
The season started with victories against Ålesund, Frigg, and Lyn. Bryne led the league with 16 points at the halfway point of the season. Vard Haugesund with Arne Larsen Økland and Rune Ottesen on the team followed with 13 points while Steinkjer had 12 points. Vard Haugesund and Lyn had gone from win to win and were close behind Bryne in the table with only two matches left. In the penultimate round of the league, Bryne would face Vard Haugesund at Haugesund Stadium. Bryne led by one point and the match was a pure promotion final. There were over 12,000 spectators present at the game. Bryne eventually won the match 1–0 after a header from Nils Steinsland midway through the first half.
The season ended the following weekend at home against Hødd. Bryne won the match 3–0. In 18 games, Bryne had won with 32 points. The team had taken 15 wins, played 2 draws, and only suffered one loss. The goal difference was 41–10. Vard Haugesund came second with 29 points and also promoted through qualification matches.