Post by davejr on Sept 11, 2024 20:12:20 GMT
Finnish domestic outfit Tampere Ilves (or Lynx in English) have joined the European Premier Division in CoE under the guidance of new manager Dave Rosewell. Some of you may recognise him as the manager of Golden Eagles FC and Reykjavik Reapers in the OFMC league also.
Manager history:
Dave Rosewell first started his managerial career some 25+ years ago as manager of Derby County in the Extra-time Football League, before moving to the Einnek Football League with Golden Eagles United. After several years of being a manager, Dave Rosewell took a hiatus from football management to concertante on his other passions, including art. He re-joined Einnek after long absence in 2021, re-founding Golden Eagles FC (formerly United). However, this new incarnation of the team were now based in Finland, following Dave's move to Tampere the previous year. It did not take long for him to find success, as they finished 2nd in Division One and gained promotion to the Premier Division. The following season he led them to the double, winning both the Premier Division title and Einnek Cup. The next season Eagles finished 6th after an indifferent season and any chances of regaining their title was dash when the Einnek Football League closed down at the beginning of 2023.
6 months afterwards, Dave Rosewell bought Golden Eagles FC into the OFMC League at the start of season 3. After a very close season his Eagles team clinched the Division Two title and promotion to Division One. As season 4 now draws to a close, they are in a close fight for the Division One title and currently sit 3rd. Meanwhile Dave Rosewell also became caretaker manager of Sky Blues at the start of season 4, after they were bought out by an Icelandic consortium. They moved the team to Iceland under the new name of Reykjavik Reapers with a slew of new talent. They currently sit top of division 2 with 6 games to go.
Tampere Ilves:
Tampereen Ilves (or Tampere Lynx in English) or often referred to as just Ilves were founded in 1931. After a difficult couple of decades in the 50s and 60s in the lower divisions, they were reformed in a merger between two now defunct teams in the mid-70s. In the 80s they returned to the Finnish top fight, winning the title in 1983. They have also won the Finnish cup 4 times in 1979, 1990, and 2019 and 2023. Now they are here in the CoE league with Dave Rosewell at the helm having taken Galatasaray’s spot (who returned to the Turkish League).
Dave Rosewell is hoping he can bring some of his experience to Tampere Ilves in and help them find success in CoE. Of course, this maybe his toughest challenge yet, as there is a lot of work to do, but with a promising young youth team and some strong senior players, Ilves look to have a good future. He also loves a good deal or three, so Ilves could go under some big changes before the start of season 14.
Random fact:
Ilves is also the name of one of Tampere’s Ice Hockey teams and was founded the same year as the football cub.
HYVÄ ILVES! (Go Lynx!)