Idd SK (Norway)

Idd Sportsklubb is a sports club who specialise in football and skiing that was formed on May 8th 1928 in the small parish of Idd, which is located four miles south of the town of Halden in Norway’s southern region of Østfold.

The football side play in the lower reaches of the Norwegian football pyramid having played in local competition for several decades before they became part of the league system.

By 2011 Idd were playing in the 5. Divisjon Østfold Avdeling I; one of forty-three regional leagues in the sixth tier, where they ended in ninth place. They slipped to eleventh the following year in Avdeling 2 and were relegated.

Promotion was sealed in 2013 with a runners-up spot from the seventh tier Østfold Fotballkrets I; one of thirty-nine leagues at that level for the season. The following year the side came close to going up once again after a third placed finish, which was backed up with sixth in 2015.

Idd improved to finish fourth in the Østfold Fotballkrets II sixth tier season of 2016 before going up to 4. Divisjon Østfold Avdeling I after a runners-up spot was achieved before consolidating in tenth place at the higher level in 2018.

The side from the Risum Kunstgress home base between Idd and Halden ended in thirteenth spot which led to relegation in 2019. Should the 2020 season commence owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Idd will play in the sixth tier 5. Divisjon Østfold.

Idd SK will play in 5. Divisjon Østfold in the 2020 season. 

My visit

Saturday 10^th August 2019

I was over in Norway with the family to attend a belated party to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of my middle brother Paul. To be honest I was nowhere near my best, suffering severely from burnout. It was a shame as Halden is such a wonderful place and I was with lovely company.

I had naturally checked out the football fixtures and noticed that Idd were at home on the Friday evening against Sarpsborg FK. However, it was time to fit in with others as we were transported to a beautiful cottage in the coastal village of Sponvika.

We went for dinner while the match was on. The Italian meal and American vintage car festival were very good, even though it looks like a I missed a 4-3 cracker of a game. However, I was still to get a look at the venue but not how I expected.

Paul’s party had been organised by his good lady Ragnhild in the grounds of the stunning Fredriksten festning, the fortress overlooking the town. The food and drink were inside the candlelit ruins. I got a pleasant surprise when I went outside for some space.

Down the hill there stood Risum Kunstgress, the home of Idd with its artificial pitch. The venue looked a pretty basic affair with a rail around the pitch and all the facilities in the hall at the nearest end of the ground with a school at the far end providing shelter.

A match at the venue, as at Kviv Halden would have to wait, but at least I got a look!