19/12/2005

Tore “dude” Buli has sensationally walked out on Urban Salmon. The club confirmed the player had left with mutual consent bringing the curtain down to an illustrious 18 month career.

The following statements were released in the aftermath of the news.

Urban Salmon manager Kevin Lew said

“ Tore Buli has been a fantastic servant to Urban Salmon. He was an integral part of the team and instrumental in the teams successes. Everyone at the club wishes him success for the future”

Tore’s statement read by his agent

“It has been a pleasure to play for Urban Salmon and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club, however I have given up trying to teach you English a tactical approach to the game”

A stunned Sumeet Bhandari said

“He will be missed in the dressing room and on the pitch”

Signed on a free transfer in January 2004, the Norwegian endured a frustrating start for his new club when an ankle injury left his career in limbo after just a handful of appearances. A six month period of rehabilitation followed before the midfield man pulled on the Salmon shirt again. But his impact was immediate. Determination tenatious tackling and boundless energy characterised his play and propelled him into a first team regular.

By the start of the following season Tore had forged a successful midfield partnership with Bandit Bhandari and Smudger. Despite his teams fourth place finish the defensive midfield man was awarded the clubs top accolade for player of the season. But the Norwegian was to enjoy even greater success as Salmon’s search for the ‘Holy grail’ ended in triumph in May 2005 when they were crowned league champions.

After the dizzy height of championship glory came the rock bottom lows of relegation struggle. Pitted against tighter defences and more competent finishers Salmon found themselves at the bottom of the food chain fighting for scraps in a relegation dogfight. The harsh realities of the new division took their toll on Tore who had accustomed himself to success.

Frustration boiled over and it was through the press that he made himself heard. In a post match interview Tore criticised Salmon’s traditional man marking tactics claiming zone marking should be adopted instead. He courted further controversy when claimed he should lead the teams attack to solve the current goalscoring crisis. His comments infuriated the club and started a chain of events that would eventually spell the end of his Urban Salmon career.

Early league success under temporary manager Sumeet Bhandari placated the volatile star. However the momentum didn’t last and behind the scenes rumblings of discontent soon resurfaced. Tore hit the headlines again when Salmon discarded the man marking tactics against Petro fuelling rumours of “player power”and dressing room unrest. The manager was forced to issue a press statement to deny the allegation but the episode only placed further strain on the players relation with the club.

By the start of this season Tore’s future looked uncertain with speculation of a move to his boy hood club Everton strongly rumoured. Deciding to act on the rumours Tore responded with a subtle hint. In the next game against league newcomers Ball Boys, Tore stunned his teamates by emerging in an Everton shirt. The Norwegian had crossed the point of no return sending out a clear message to the Merseyside club.

For the player, the gamble backfired with Everton failing to act on the players “Come and get me plea”. Urban Salmon’s reaction was predicatable, ruthless and immediate. Within days the player was unceremoniously released ending the Roy Keane esque saga leaving Tore to share the same fate as the ex Man united skipper.

Despite his abrupt departure Tore will be remembered as one of the clubs finest foreign imports. His 64 appearances and 42 goals will have done much to open the doors of the Scandanavian market to Urban Salmon football. As for his future, Oslo seems the next likely destination after he vowed never to play in England again in reaction to Everton’s snub.