Ostersunds FK: Swedish club in financial crisis just 20 months after beating Arsenal

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From Matt Davis
BBC Sport
It is February 2018 and Ostersunds FK have won 2-1 in Arsenal from the Europa League.
The team – handled by Englishman Graham Potter – are from this competition on aggregate, however victory in Emirates Stadium is a fitting ending to your fairytale 14-game rush to the previous 16.
Their achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider it is eight years since they were in the division.
But now, 20 months on from this night the club, in London are facing a fight for their future.
For us soccer fans theres not any alternative, read a club statement published on their website this week. Ostersund without an elite football team is unthinkable.
The financial figures of the club are stark.
They will need to increase 15m Swedish krona (kr) – about #1.2m – by the end of the year to keep the team running, with 10m kr of that amount to be covered by the end of the month. So far kr was raised.
A 1.4m kr tax bill needs to be paid by 2 November.
Employers and fans are being asked to donate to the cause, and also the club desperately needs sponsorship.
We request you to return all the amazing memories and what joy and pride we experienced with OFK, the club statement said. If we are to experience it , we have to collectively help to get out of this catastrophe.
Potter – currently handling Brighton at the Premier League – has donated, as have players and his training staff.
Chairman Daniel Kindberg has been the man who oversaw the clubs climb and enjoyed Potter. European soccer was attracted by winning the Swedish Cup to the northern city.
Kindberg has been in Sweden accused of crimes – crimes that he denies – with all the judges verdict expected on 5.
The team say theyve dropped 7m krona in sponsorship revenue and failed to earn 20m kr in player earnings and 5m kr in matchday earnings they had forged for.
Theyre Also under a move ban from Fifa within Saman Ghoddos into club Amiens move, a choice they intend to appeal against in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
It is a critical situation, manager Ian Burchnall told BBC Sport. It has come fast and from nowhere considering where the club proved to be a brief period of time ago.
The club had an incredible travel, but a good deal of things behind the scenes have happened since then.
We arent the only team in Sweden that have economic issues. And it is so common in soccer – look at Bolton and Bury.
It is really hard to compete at the very top and create a sustainable model
Burchnall succeeded compatriot Potter when the latter left in June 2018 Swansea.
The team finished sixth in the first year of Burchnall but are 13th, three points off the relegation places.
There are seven players such as former Chelsea midfielder Charlie Colkett, at the club. Before leaving for Sheffield United in July ravel Morrison spent there.
This year the team had its finest start at the Swedish league, but because the summer that it has been quite difficult with whats happening from the pitch, said Burchnall, 36.
We have probably been in the news this year more than every other team in Sweden for many different reasons, but mostly because of its off-field difficulties, the continuing court case, both the economic issues and the Fifa move embargo.
Its a really young group. At one point we played with with the team in the league for 20 years. Obviously they are affected by it either consciously or subconsciously.
They are a great set, however, you can feel sometimes you have to work hard to keep them centered on football things.
Burchnall reported the reduction of this club, which has average attendances of 4,800, would beenormous.
Over time Graham and his team and Ive sustained top-flight soccer in the north of Sweden, in which they had not had it for decades, he said. To have a group up here competing is a huge thing.
The fans are incredible. No matter what the circumstance is nearly supported by them. It is testament to them and also a lot of individuals have come forward to try out raise funds fast.
The clubs press manager, Niclas Lidstrom, refuses to talk about the nightmare scenario, saying simply:We will fix this
And Burchnall remains planning for next year.
I understand a whole lot of great folks are working hard to get the perfect thing, and hopefully put a platform in place to keep growing the group, he explained.
I have brought in a great deal of young and talented players on longer contracts, with a view to building something for the near future and put out a group which has actual asset worth in terms of that which we can sell players for in the future.
We need to look forward. I am planning for the next game, but once we discuss the team and players, we talk like weve got a long-term perspective on it.
There was somebody out there who did take action and who would do it again
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