Officials at a north-east football club were surprised to discover that a ball from a game on their pitch washed up more than 1,100 miles away on a Norwegian island.
The ball was kicked over the fence at the home of Banks O’ Dee, Spain Park, and in to the River Dee.
The club’s secretary was shocked when he received an e-mail from Norwegian Johnny Mikalsen, with a picture of the football attached.
The e-mail said: “You properly have one of the best long distance kickers in the world because a friend of mine found a football with your club name on by the seaside.
“It has travelled quite a long distance.
“We are located 1800 kilometres north of Aberdeen, on an island called Vanna 10 kilometres north of Tromso, the capital of North Norway. The football is just a little bit dirty after such a long distance, but fully useable.”
It is believed that the ball was swept down the river before being taken across the North Sea, and being washed ashore on the small island.
Tommy Ewan, the Banks O’ Dee club secretary said: “It was a very pleasant surprise.
“We lose a lot of footballs into the river and tend to never see them again.
“Billy Forbes, one of our committee members, used to go into the river to try to rescue them.
“But the embankment down to it is a bit too dangerous now so we’ve had to rein him in a bit.
“Billy was certainly chuffed to find out one had made it all the way to Norway.”
The club has a historic link with Norway.
Almost a century ago, in 1920, the club went on a footballing tour of the country.
But members are confident the ball couldn’t have been left behind from then, as at that time footballs would have had laces.
The club is now hoping to have the ball returned, and they plan to display it at their ground.
They also intend to invite the person that found the ball to a match as a guest.
Mr Ewan said: “It’s a nice tale and it would be good if it helped us pick up a few new fans over in Norway.”
