Europa League: Ostersunds' Jamie Hopcutt on goals, Jamie Vardy and Swan Lake

Ostersunds midfielder Jamie Hopcutt — Jamie Hopcutt scored in the first leg as Ostersunds beat Galatasary 2-0 in the Europa League qualifier

Swedish minnows Ostersunds FK have come a long way in a short time.

From playing in front of a few hundred fans in the fourth tier as recently as 2011, on Thursday they face Luxembourg's Fola Esch on the next step of their Europa League journey.

And leading them on the way are a seasoned English coach, a York City youth product who never made it beyond the Northern Premier League, and a former army officer who wants his players to perform in a Tchaikovsky ballet.

At 19, Jamie Hopcutt was released by home town club York City and feared his professional football career was over soon after beginning.

Now 25, he is starring for Ostersunds in Sweden's top division and playing European football.

The midfielder helped his side to a 3-1 aggregate win over Turkish giants Galatasaray in Istanbul last week, after scoring in the first leg, to reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

But six years ago it was a different story.

"I was being sent out on loan to places like Whitby when I got an email inviting me to a trial day at Warwick University. I scored a hat-trick," Hopcutt said.

It was Ostersunds manager Graham Potter - another former York player - who invited Hopcutt to join them in 2012.

Hopcutt scored 15 goals last season as Ostersunds were promoted to the Allsvenskan, the Swedish top flight.

He has six goals this term, and Aston Villa and Brighton are reportedly preparing bids in the region of £1.5m.

"I've made a life out here but one day I'd like to come back to England," said Hopcutt, whose journey echoes that made by Leicester City's former non-league striker Jamie Vardy.

"Obviously Jamie Vardy has shown everyone that it can be done," he said.

'I'm still a shocking dancer'

Ostersunds boss Graham Potter during his playing days — Ostersunds boss Graham Potter made 114 appearances for York City between 2000 and 2003

Potter, who played for clubs including Birmingham and Stoke as well as briefly in the Premier League for Southampton, has enjoyed success in his management career.

The 42-year-old has lifted Ostersunds from the fourth to the top tier. They also won the Swedish Cup last season - giving them a route into this season's Europa League.

And what stands out in their success is the club's requirement that players take part in cultural activities in addition to their football - such as their recent production of Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake in front of 500 local residents at the city's theatre.

That is something that is being driven by club chairman Daniel Kindberg, a former lieutenant in the Swedish army.

"The chairman is big on holistic development of players," Potter explained.

"Running a culture academy alongside football training will help us be braver as footballers," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I had to do a routine with a partner, which was very difficult. I'm still a shocking dancer but, just like when you're playing football, it's all about trying to perform on the day," said Hopcutt.

"I don't know how it would have gone down at York, but it's certainly working up here."

There have also been painting lessons, some players have become published authors, and they are currently juggling Europa League preparations with workshops on the indigenous Sami people of the Swedish Arctic.

"It takes you out of your comfort zone but it's been great for team bonding and I'm sure it helped us prepare for occasions like Istanbul," Hopcutt added.

Ostersunds face Fola Esch at the 8,500-capacity Jamtkraft Arena in the Swedish city on Thursday.

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32 comments

Comment posted by Penelope Poopsalot, at 11:09 26 Jul 2017
Brilliant story - well done Hopcutt.
Comment posted by Old Father Thames, at 12:28 26 Jul 2017
This is what football should be about.

But sadly it isn't really anymore.

It's mainly just about money now.

But let us celebrate these minnows who have felled giants.
Comment posted by Joe Public FC, at 13:55 26 Jul 2017
This is a great example how success can be achieved without involving rich owners taking over a club and pouring in silly money to make a club successful.
I grew up in Ostersund in the mid 80's and for me this is an amazing story! We have snow on the ground 5-6 months a year and 50,000 inhabitants. This proves that if a club is run in the right manner the sky is the limit! C'mon Ostersunds FK!!
Comment posted by Vilyem Hize, at 13:38 26 Jul 2017
14. Posted by K-Dogg

You're on the wrong page. The tacky, new money merchants you've loyally supported for 3 years are elsewhere.

This is about football.
Comment posted by footiefan81, at 12:17 26 Jul 2017
Great story. For those ex-players moaning about not being able to get a job in management, perhaps they should read Potter's story.
Comment posted by KB, at 11:22 26 Jul 2017
interesting story.

i wouldn't read into villa trying to sign him. he doesn't meet our criteria of being over the hill.

maybe when he is 35.
Comment posted by Penelope Poopsalot, at 11:19 26 Jul 2017
So The Minstermen got rid of the guy and are now sliding down the pyramid. Meanwhile Hopcutt is on a roll to glory. Hopcutt is definitely having the last laugh
Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 12:34 26 Jul 2017
I agree this is a great story. The assistant manager of Ostersund is Billy Reid, ex-manager of Hamilton Accies. He said that the team was applauded off the by park by Galatasaray fans in Turkey after knocking them out in the last round.
Good luck on Thursday.
Comment posted by Fed_up_with_moaning_minnies, at 14:19 26 Jul 2017
This is Roy of the Rovers stuff. Football is not limited to the twenty clubs in the EPL and the small number of European teams we deign to acknowledge the existence of. Nice story makes a refreshing change from player x to stay at club y, but club z preparing a bid.
Comment posted by cienfuegos, at 12:32 26 Jul 2017
Just goes to show, there is still some sanity in 'The Beautiful Game' Good luck to the lad.
Comment posted by Chris, at 17:59 26 Jul 2017
Best football story i've read in years.
Comment posted by grahame, at 14:11 26 Jul 2017
What a brilliant feel good story to balance out the chaos and mayhem of the last few days.
Comment posted by Markthehorn, at 11:54 26 Jul 2017
Shows what happens if young players are given a chance?

Maybe more should go abroad?
Comment posted by chrisc, at 15:23 26 Jul 2017
He moved to Sweden and i am guessing has a good head on him, there are plenty of good teams in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, many Europeans, Africans head there as they get to play and establish themselves, good on him, unlikely too see playing in England and I guess for him a good thing, would only be stepping backwards
Comment posted by lifeinatrampsvest, at 11:13 26 Jul 2017
Good lad, hope an English club takes a punt on him.
Comment posted by PeterSchMichaelOwenHargreaves, at 14:52 26 Jul 2017
Nice one, more British players should go down this route....I hope an English club doesn't take a punt on him. Better off staying out there than joining a prem/championship team then spending the next 4/5 years out on loan
Comment posted by Benjowtm, at 16:56 26 Jul 2017
Brilliant to see him doing so well. There is also an Englishman playing in the Colombian top flight who is hoping to switch nationalities in order to play for them. Ask Tim Vickery ;)
Comment posted by taking the mike, at 17:37 26 Jul 2017
Beautiful story. Love that they look after players minds body and community spirit. Ryan giggs with yoga a few clubs need to learn from as yoga cured my depresion and made me physically 10 times stronger.
Comment posted by Razor Sharpster, at 18:08 26 Jul 2017
Cool story Bro. We know outside the Championship the financial difference is humongous down to the bottom leagues.

Shame those greedy idiots in the top flights don't agree to a wage cap & more competition throughout the leagues, as opposed to ManU & everyone else.

Pay caps are the only way for football to survive. The money thrown about make footballers seem like they're special. Er, no.
Comment posted by Madhatter13, at 11:13 26 Jul 2017
nice one would be good to see in in an England shirt