In recent seasons, Erling Haaland has been regularly linked to Real Madrid. About fifty years ago, it was another Norwegian who played his way onto Real Madrid’s wish list. The same at Bayern Munich and Ajax (as Johan Cruyff’s replacement!). By then, the big club had caught up with the incredible talent of ball artist Tom Lund, who chose not to leave LSK. On May 23, 2026, 75-year-old Tom Lund passed away.
Without Tom Lund, Lillestrøm would be nothing more than a suburb of Oslo, a sleepy town without an identity.
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For those who got Tom Lund on the football pitch, in a completely different time and with working conditions Haaland and Ødegaard surely shake their heads at, there was no doubt about the player’s unique combination of qualities. Equally good with both feet, excellent on the head, playmaker and finisher.
“Tommy” Lund was an LSK player from 1967 to 1982, later coach of the same club for two periods. His debut came as a 16-year-old, when he became central in the following seasons as Lillestrøm climbed from the lower divisions to the top of Norwegian football.
Tom Lund helped LSK to two league golds and three cup championships, as LSK coach he led the proud club to league gold in 1986 and cup gold in 1985.
As a national team player, he was also big throughout the 1970s and 80s, with 47 caps and scoring 12 goals for Norway between 1971 and 1982.
It was also Tom Lund who was behind one of the goals, when Norway beat England in the World Cup qualifiers at Ullevaal in 1981, one of the most iconic matches in Norwegian football history.
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Norway’s best player ever…!!
You were a hero. You were the best in the world. You were a football god.
Week after week, more and more people went to Lillestrøm, to Åråsen or to Ullevaal – just to see the wizard with shirt number 10. Tommy. We saw you wreak havoc with players both from home and abroad. It didn’t matter if you faced Ajax, England or Vålerenga – you were the best either way.
You gave them all a real beating.
Alegendary career:
Tom Lund is without a doubt one of the greatest Norwegian football players of all time. He spent his entire club career at Lillestrøm SK, except for a short stay at Anderlecht which was interrupted by a serious injury. Lund was known for his incredible technique, dribbling and goal joy.
Some of the highlights of his amazing career include:
- Series gold with Lillestrøm in 1976 and 1977 – Lund was the big star on the team that dominated Norwegian football.
- 17 goals in 29 caps – an impressive goal average for a player who often created as much as he put in.
- Player of the Year in Norway 1976 – one of several individual awards he received in his heyday.
- Offers from major European clubs – Lund had an offer from Ajax in the mid-1970s, turned down Bayern Munich, and also received interest from Barcelona. However, he chose to stay in Lillestrøm.
- Surprised football Norway when he retired in 1982 – only 32 years old, he turned down an international match against England and chose to end his career, much to the sorrow of Norwegian football fans.
Thanks for all the memories, Tom Lund. Rest in peace.
💛🖤💛
