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Potter, Hopcutt and a desk in East London: The story of Östersunds FK’s European Adventure

George Mallett

3.85/5 (13 ratings)

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Potter, Hopcutt and a Desk in East London charts the improbable rise of Östersunds FK (OFK) from the Swedish fourth division to the Europa League.

Looking for a distraction from their mundane office lives, two childhood York City fans are drawn in by the ascent of two men with loose connections to their hometown club, OFK manager Graham Potter and midfielder Jamie Hopcutt.

As a passing interest becomes a full-blown obsession, the pair follow Östersunds across Europe, from a war-torn Ukraine, to a Howard Kendall-themed bar in Bilbao, to a defining night at the Emirates.

Fascinated by the people they meet along the way, the pair discover a team of misfits rejected at almost every level, a fan base confused by their Scandinavian fascination and a club not afraid to do things differently while knocking out some of Europe’s most storied clubs.

This book is an ode to the underdog and an invigorating reminder of the power of football fandom to provide the perfect escape.