The euphoria was short-lived . The promotion to the Eliteserien would prove to be the start of a long decline. What was at first a historic achievement quickly became the first step towards a sporting collapse – with relegation, year after year. From the unforgettable 4–4 drama against Brann in the densest fog I have ever seen, to a grim reality with loss after loss in the 2nd division.
The team I'm talking about; Wolverine.
History and promotion
My story with Jerv started when the Grimstad team was still under the management of Arne Sandstø. The year is 2020/21, and Jerv plays in the OBOS league with an exciting team – a team that would soon create big moments for the small club from the pearl of Southern Norway. The yellow-clad team was devastating in OBOS and approaching the top. Since I myself played youth football in Jerv, we were able to volunteer during the home games – with free tickets and pizza in hand, we could follow the games from the stands.
I still remember how great it was to see real football players so close. At that time, Jerv's goalkeeper, Øystein Øvretveit, was my big idol. The way he managed the team with his deep, dark voice and his incredible saves made it clear that he was absolutely central to the team. In my opinion, he has been one of the most important pieces in both Jerv's rise – and later decline, when he finally left Grimstad.
The reason I emphasize the last scum so much is not only because he was my role model, but also because he played a key role in Jerv's promotion. Together with a poisonous attack line consisting of Peter Wilson, Willis Furtado and Diego Campos, Jerv delivered strong performances. They eventually finished in third place, securing qualification for the Eliteserien. What became a top position in OBOS would prove to be a foretaste of what awaited Arne Sandstø's team the very next season.
Fast forward to December 15, 2021. Jerv has fought their way to the Eliteserien qualification – against Brann itself. A thick fog has settled over the entire stadium, and I sit and bite my nails while the players warm up. Jerv are big underdogs, with all odds against them. But then it happens: Jerv takes the lead at Intility Arena, and it feels like the whole of Grimstad is holding its breath. Not even a fortune teller could have predicted what happened next. Øvretveit saves two penalties, but Brann scores anyway. The score ends 1–1 after regular time. In extra time, there is a goal orgy, and the match ends 4–4. Now there is real hope for the small team from the south. A long and nerve-wracking penalty drama ends with a victory for Jerv – and promotion to the Eliteserien is a fact. Arne Sandstø has achieved what no one thought was possible: He has taken Jerv to the Eliteserien for the very first time.
After a well-deserved vacation, the warm-up begins. Now Jerv will get ready for the top level of Norwegian football.
The 2022 Eliteserien starts with hope and excitement in Grimstad. For the first time, Jerv will compete with Norway's best team, and there is an almost unreal atmosphere around Levermyr Stadium. The club has managed the impossible with limited resources. But it didn't take long before it became clear how tough this level would be.
Coach recruitment & changes
In recent years, FK Jerv has experienced frequent changes on the coaching bench, especially after Arne Sandstø left the club in 2023. This instability in management has likely left its mark on both the team's development and overall performance.
The first coach I would like to highlight is Arne Sandstø – a man many of us remember well. For me, he is perhaps best known for the infamous “Sandstø run”, which was synonymous with hard running training and something most of us dreaded. But Sandstø was far more than just tough sessions. He was the coach who built a team strong enough to fight at the very top – in fact, all the way to the Eliteserien. With almost seven years as head coach, from 2016 to 2023, he gave the club a stability and direction that made it possible to build something lasting. He became a clear leader, a reliable support and someone the players could both look up to and discuss solutions with.
After an impressive period with Jerv, Sandstø chose to end his chapter in Grimstad. Instead of continuing his journey with the small but ambitious team, he took the next step and became an assistant coach at Danish side FC Midtjylland.
When Sandstø left the club, someone had to take over the baton temporarily – and it was Eirik Kjønø. He had a tough and turbulent start in Jerv, and never quite managed to make his mark on the team. The results failed to materialize, and it was a short period without much success. Thus, Kjønø also moved on, and the place was made ready for a new football enthusiast – a man with national team experience and a clear voice in Norwegian football.
At a time when the club was in dire need of a savior, Lars Bohinen came through the doors with hope and experience in his bag. Many in Grimstad saw him as the one who could turn the tide – a leader who could lift Jerv back to where we thought the team belonged: the OBOS league.
Bohinen took over in October 2023 and stayed until June 2025. Although there was no immediate, magical boost with his arrival, he worked purposefully and wholeheartedly with the resources he had available. After the decline from the Eliteserien and further relegation from OBOS, it was a demanding time to take over the team. Nevertheless, he made an honest attempt to rebuild the club – with commitment, clarity and the belief that it was possible.
Finally, Lars Bohinen's time was also over. He himself chose to step down as head coach, and Jerv was left in familiar surroundings – looking for yet another new leader in an already unstable coaching chapter. Once again, the club was thrown into uncertainty and had to adapt to another change on the coaching bench.
We have now come to the latest addition to the coaching bench for Wolverhampton, namely Frode Fagermo. A new voice and new hope came in. He took over coaching responsibilities in June 2025, in the middle of a demanding period for the club. As a temporary solution, he was thrown straight into a daily life characterized by uncertainty, but also with the opportunity to rekindle the spark.
Under the leadership of Frode Fagermo, Jerv has won four of its last five games. Finally, we are seeing signs of positive development and interaction. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this progress continues, and that Fagermo can be the salvation the club so badly needs right now. Because one thing is certain: The last thing Jerv needs in this phase is another coaching change. Now we hope for stability, progress and a new start with Fagermo at the helm.
The road back to stability and success
It's no secret that the development of the yellow-clad team from the south has been disappointing in recent years. A series of defeats and hardships have characterized the club, and instead of enjoying the summer heat, we have had to be patient.
Jerv has always been a club that has often had to let go of its greatest talents. It was no different when we were promoted from the OBOS league to the Eliteserien. As a small club, we are unable to hold on to the big stars – we are rather a stepping stone for players on their way up. During the promotion battle, Jerv had several brilliant players who really lifted the team, but shortly after the promotion celebration, they were gone again, looking for new challenges.
But what happens when you lose high-quality players, without being able to bring in good enough replacements? Well, then it naturally goes downhill. Since Jerv lost its star players, the club has slowly but surely sunk in the table. To ensure that the team stays in the division they really belong in, it is absolutely crucial to bring in some experienced players in all ranks – especially in defense and in midfield.
Today, Jerv has many talented players, and several of them have been loyal and long-term members of the club. However, the team is not functioning optimally, which means that important points are missed in games where that little extra is missing.
That's why I think it's absolutely necessary to invest in some seasoned players with a lot of experience. Maybe a former top-flight player who can lead the defense, or a midfielder who can control the team and organize the pressure when we play high. The point is that we need some "age points" into an otherwise young team full of talent.
Whether this can be implemented is difficult to say, but it should certainly be a goal to aim for – both for stability and development.
The road back to proud moments
Don't get me wrong – this club means an incredible amount to me and everyone who lives in the area. We only want the best for Jerv, but unfortunately there are far too many who are silent about what everyone really sees: The club needs a boost. Jerv is neither a Postnord team nor an Eliteserie team. In my eyes, they belong in the OBOS league. They are good enough there, and the players deserve to compete at that level.
Therefore, I hope to create a little excitement – both by giving the team a voice, and by telling the story that can help understand why things have developed the way they have. Together we can create proud moments, and I dream that we will soon be able to go to OBOS matches here in Southern Norway – without having to travel all the way to Kristiansand.
We are facing a challenging, but also exciting time. With the right leadership, support from all of us and a clear direction, Jerv can rise again and find their place back in the world they deserve. For Jerv, it is not just about football, but about being the heart of a city – a place where both young and old can gather and share the joy of the sport.
Written by: Joachim Eskedal The Fleet
