History
The club's only spell in the Norwegian top division in the 20th century lasted from 1937 to 1940. (The top division was named Norgesserien at that time.) The 1939/1940 season was cancelled because of World War II, and Sandnes Ulf did not participate when the league started again in 1947. They had spells on the second highest level during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, but have mostly been playing at level three or four in recent history.
One of the club's biggest matches in recent history was the friendly against Leeds United on 17 July 2006. This match was a great opportunity for the players to show their best to the people of Sandnes, who mainly support the regional top teams Viking FK and Bryne FK. Leeds won the match 2-1. Kjetil Norland scored an early goal for Sandnes Ulf, but Leeds eventually won the match after goals by Eirik Bakke and Robbie Blake.
In 2007, Sandnes Ulf won promotion to Adeccoligaen, the second highest division in the Norwegian football league system. They won their Second Division group three points ahead of Stavanger IF. This sparked renewed interest in the club, with increased press coverage and attendances at Sandnes Idrettspark.
Prior to the 2008 season, the signings of Paul Oyuga and Artur Kotenko brought even more experience from professional football to the club.
One of the teams highest-profile players at that time was Asle Andersen, who signed for the club in March 2006. Andersen, who had experience on the two highest levels, became a central player for the club. He is currently the club's manager.
The club finished the 2010 Norwegian First Division Season at a relegation spot. However, Follo FK, a team which had managed to avoid relegation, was forced to withdraw from the league because of financial difficulties, and Sandnes Ulf kept its place in the division.
On October 23, 2011, one hundred years after its formation and one year after it was supposed to be relegated from the Norwegian First Division, Sandnes Ulf gained promotion to the Norwegian Premier League. Until that date, Sandnes had been the only city amongst the 10 largest cities in Norway which had not had a team in the top flight after World War Two.
Read more about this topic: Sandnes Ulf
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