Norwegian student gains life lessons with York footballers

Continuing our series where journalism students unearth stories, Alfie Douglass of Sheffield Hallam University tells the story of Bishopthorpe FC.

IN the heart of Norway lays the modest town of Steinkjer, where a polar wind chills the population to the bone.

This unfamiliar location may rest thousands of miles from the scenic countryside of Yorkshire, but to one resident, ‘God’s Own County’ has left a lasting impression.

Johanne Dahlum is the individual in question, a bashful 17-yearold exchange student from Norway, who soon found solace in the shape of a village football team.

The Norwegian’s Yorkshire adventure had been strictly for educational purposes. Under the Heltberg International Programme, a one-year course at York College for overseas students, Johanne became a pupil in the region.

However, amongst his studies it was the fondness of football that gave his visit a purpose.

Spurred on by a friend, he began training with Bishopthorpe CFC, a local football team who compete in the Fastpack Ltd York Sunday League, Division One.

“The boys really welcomed me to the team and embraced me as one of their own,” said Dahlum when describing his time at the

York outfit. Sadly, that time with the team would be cut short.

Sport has taken a back seat due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, with almost every league across Europe at a standstill, albeit many with contingency plans to return.

But for people such as Dahlum, the chance to kick a ball with his adopted team again will not arise.

Sport has the ability to cultivate and inspire, yet the social impact it has is one that should not be under-estimated.

Lasting friendships are forged, as Dahlum discovered, and although a global lockdown may mean he is now over a thousand miles from his team-mates, the bond still remains.

For Bishopthorpe CFC members have adapted to the current predicament, and as a result have created an impressive running competition, which pits teammates against each-other here in Yorkshire, and over in Norway.

“The idea came after a few of the lads were running 5ks to keep fit during the lockdown,” said one of the team’s strikers, Harry McInerney.

“After posting their times into the group chat, it soon became apparent it’d be a competition to see who could complete it the quickest.”

The Government’s initial allowance of one form of physical activity a day meant the team could complete their runs, with the fitness app Strava recording their times and posting it onto the social media platform.

For Dahlum, this meant he could be a part of the ‘team’ once again.

Sport has slowly begun to return to normality in Norway, with football training resuming locally after nearly two months of hiatus. But the chance to compete with his Yorkshire club-mates was a welcome surprise for the Norwegian.

“It connects me to my friends back in Yorkshire, and shows how sport can bring people together, and offers some hope in these unprecedented times,” said Dahlum.

The players at Bishopthorpe CFC have swapped the football pitches for the hilly roadsides of York and Leeds, or Trondelag in Johanne’s case, as they embark on their ambitious runs.

The goals may have changed, achieving the quickest time, but the competitive edge that transcends all sport remains for the Yorkshire lads.

“By the end of this lockdown, we’ll be the fittest team in the land, so I guess that’s a silver lining to this whole situation,” said Bishopthorpe defender Julian Williams.

Sport is unique, offering escapism in times of bleakness, and friendship in times of loneliness.

What will Dahlum miss most about Yorkshire and playing football here?

“Undoubtedly, the passion everyone has for it and sharing those moments with your mates,” he recalled.

He may now be back home in the frosty depths of Norway, but the warmth of Yorkshire will always stay with him.