Sneekes goes Danish

26 August 2002

Former Albion midfielder Richard Sneekes is training with Danish club Herfoelge Boldklub (HB), according to sources in Copenhagen. Also at HB for a try-out is Rhodri Giggs, younger brother of the more famous Ryan. HB are based near Koge, a fishing town about 25 miles South of Copenhagen, and were Danish champions in 2000 - playing against Glasgow Rangers in the Champion's League. But their success was short lived and they were relegated that season (the only time in Danish football history that the reigning champions have been relegated). With relegation, the pressure on finances meant that the players had to become semi-professional - most accepted this, but a couple moved on to other clubs.

The Albion connections with HB are not limited to Sneekes, however. Former Director and Acting Chairman Clive Stapleton recently bought a controlling interest in the club for around £500,000 and has been joined there by Frank Hansen of Greve, the club Albion signed a five-year "nursery" deal with under Tony Hale. It now looks as though it was Stapleton and Hansen who responsible for the original link up, and there are rumours going round regarding a possible merger between HB and Greve - two clubs which complement each other quite well. Greve is one of the largest teams in Denmark in terms of members, running teams at all levels from children upwards as well as men and women's teams, although their first team has never received a great level of support. They are ambitious, however, and have plans to improve their squad and build a large new stadium.

HB are currently lying second in the Danish First Division, while Greve are lining up for promotion from Regional Division 1 (the 6th highest league in Denmark).

Thanks to Benny Anderson and Jannick Hansen