Love these guys
Sunday’s game against Thisted FC was the last game of the year and not only that. It was also team manager Allan Petersen’s last game. Allan doesn’t think his physical condition is up to the often demanding physical work of being a team manager anymore. Allan started his team manager career back in 2015, when he stepped in to lend a helping hand to the then team manager Kim Villy Nielsen, who asked for his help. Allan has previously been an association manager for many years and had the courage to take on the task of managing a divisional team in a professional set up. In January 2016, Allan took over the team manager responsibilities alone and has done so until this Sunday’s match against FC Thisted on Sunday 20 November 2022. Allan has worked under several coaches up until today: Per Frandsen, Thomas Nørgaard, Søren Bjerg, Michael Madsen – just to name a few. In recent years, the coaching team Patrick Braune and Stefan Payberg Larsen and most recently Morten Timm Kannegaard have benefited from Allan’s dedicated efforts. Allan has been an AB fan for many years and also long before he became team manager. Together with good friends, he traveled all over Denmark to follow the team’s matches. It surprises Allan that you don’t hear much more about the work and responsibilities of team managers when talking about football clubs in general. But everyone close to a professional team, players, coaches etc. knows how important the role of the team manager is. Allan’s tasks have been to pack all the clothes when the squad is selected for each match. Before a match, it’s all about knowing who is going to play – they must have clothes with the right jersey number, talk to the away team’s team manager about clothing color, for example, the goalkeeper’s jersey color. Everything needs to be laid out, cones, vests, balls need to be checked, the referees need some refreshments – towels for the away team and some water. On match day, the coach and team manager check the team card. Being part of the engine room and helping to make the practical things work so the coaches can focus on winning the games – it’s been great. For away trips, the team manager makes sure to bring the food and remember the plates and cutlery. Allan tells us with a smile on his face about the away trip where he packed two packs of knives instead of knives and forks. It probably looked a bit strange at the rest area where the team ate. Allan has enjoyed away games and there have been many good experiences in the bus. Allan would still like to help out with smaller tasks, but also just enjoy the matches from the stands. Allan will of course miss being with the players in the squad in recent years and also miss everyone around the team. Love these guys, as Allan says!
