Strømsgodset Toppfotball is a Norwegian football club from Gulskogen in Drammen, who plays in Eliteserien. It is the elite football section of the multi-sports clubStrømsgodset IF. The multi-sports club was founded 10 February 1907, but the football team first found success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Led by the young striker Steinar Pettersen and his team-mates, the «Rødgata Boys», Strømsgodset got promoted from the fourth tier to the top flight in just a few years. The team then went on to win the top division in 1970 and the Norwegian Cup in 1969, 1970, 1973. In the following decades, the club struggled more. However, the relegation to the third tier in 1986 was a turning point for the football team, and the club was promoted to the top flight again in 1989. In 1991, the club secured its fourth Norwegian Cup, and a turbulent decade followed, with promotions and relegations. In 1997 they lost the cup final, but secured bronze medals in the league. After five years in the second tier, the economic situation had become a problem for the club, almost bringing it to bankruptcy in 2005. However, local investors saved the club, and this was the start of the second successful period. The club was promoted to Tippeligaen, won the Norwegian cup in 2010, and gradually grew into one of the best teams in Norway. A 2nd place in 2012 was followed by another championship in 2013, the club's second league title.
Home ground
Strømsgodset Toppfotball play their home games at Marienlyst Stadion. The stadium has been rebuilt several times, most recently with a new south end in 2014. There, safe standing was installed, which increased the capacity to 8,935 in matches where standing supporters are allowed. Safe standing has also been installed in the north end. When an all-seating stadium is required, the capacity is 8,060. Record attendance for the club is 16,687 against Rosenborg BK in 1969. However, local rivals Mjøndalen holds the all-time record from a Cup semi final tie versus Viking in 1949, by approximately another thousand. The stadium often goes under the name of "Gamle Gress" Field measurements are 106 m x 68 m. The turf has now been replaced with an artificial grass surface. Marienlyst Stadium has frequently been used in Norway U21 International matches, and on 16 October 2012 when Norway U21 beat France U21 5–3 at Marienlyst and qualified for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, after France won 1–0 in the first play-off match.
