Leicester City Supporters Club Scandinavian Branch attendeded a special 50th anniversary event in Norway last Thursday. In 1976, Leicester reached out to Oslo Fotballkrets to find opponents for friendly matches. Thanks to insider connections, Ski IL were chosen as one of the hosts for a game on May 21st.
It was a great honor to be invited to the reunion. Most players, members of the coaching staff, the speaker, ref team, the sports council, some fellow friends and family were all there, fifty years on.
Speaches and presentations were made. Special items and notes from the day were on the podium. Autographs of all the Leicester players were seen. This was a well prepared get together, nicely arranged in the same club house, where they met the Leicester players after the game all those years ago. Mark Wallington, Frank Worthington, Jon Sammels and Keith Weller were all fondly remembered, and their names were spoken about.
The Ski IL players on that day in 1976, were all introduced with a story and getting their praise. Most attended the party, and some wore their special Leicester pin given to them 50 years ago.
The game it self was given a lot of attention. Describing almost everything as it happened. Ski IL, at the time, playing on level four in the Norwegian league system, managed to keep it tight. They were fighting on, keeping Leicester on their toes for all 90 minutes. Leicester won it, 2-1. This was the last game on their Norway tour, also having played, Mjondalen, Molde and against Odd in Skien on the the Norwegian National Day, 17th of May, Leicester winning 4-1.
When Frank Worthington came to Ski, it felt surreal to see him on the field. Keith Weller was the standout player that day. The Ski players believed they had put up a good fight against the Leicester team.
The great days of the seventies brought Norwegians closer to English football, making it thrilling to see the stars in person. Dag Solheim, a well-known Norwegian football figure, shared wonderful stories of Tippekampen. On every Saturday during winter time from 1969, Norwegians had the pleasure to enjory a full game from England on telly, with Leicester often featured.
On Thursday the 21st of May, 50 years had gone since Leicester visited Ski IL for a friendly match. This is to date seen as the most special game in the clubs history. LCSCSB was invited to the reunion on the day, for the full article, https://t.co/OpVnT1BfdX pic.twitter.com/Wc09GmWhbs
— TCF – Filbert Way (@TheCunningFox) May 25, 2026
There were also other different memories coming to surface. One came forward with a special story about a vecation in Spain, watching Leicester in the local pub, many years on. He said he had played against Leicester once. An english guy in the pub said he was a friend of Frank Worthington and bought him a beer. That was at least something all those years on, earning a beer on a fantastic memory of that special day on the 21st of May 1976.
Ski IL is a well run football club, but as Leicester they have not had the sporting achievements of the past and at the moment playing on level 7 in the Norwegian league tiers. They are also hosting a club higher in the league system, so the situation is a bit different at the moment.
LCSCSB chairman Per Arne Hansen made a speach about Leicester as a club. He also talked about our supporters club and their work and establishment. Per Arne described the contact with LCFC as unique, his own engangement with more than 100 travels to watch the club over the years, and being part of all the up’s and down’s since he became a supporter back in those days of the early seventies.
Another act on stage was an interview with Norwegian Eliteserie player Robin Rasch. He shared insights about life, growing up as a player in Ski IL, becoming a professional player and playing for KFUM. He is the son of Stein Rasch, who was one of the players in that Ski IL team, facing Leicester.
An evening to remember for us invited and following Leicester, and of course a great reunion get together for all attending.
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