Gustav Björk
Swedish footballer (1900–1928)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gustav "Måsen" Björk (10 July 1900 – 12 May 1928) was a Swedish football player, best known for being a prolific goalscorer for Hammarby IF. In 1921, he won two caps for the Sweden men's national football team.[1]
![](#/media/File:Gustav_"Måsen"_Björk.png) Björk in 1923. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gustav William Björk | ||
| Date of birth | 10 July 1900 | ||
| Place of birth | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
| Date of death | 12 May 1928 (aged 27) | ||
| Place of death | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1916–1925 | Hammarby IF | 150 | (88) |
| Total | 150 | (88) | |
| International career | |||
| 1921 | Sweden | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Athletic career
Football
In 1916, at age 16, Björk was promoted to the senior squad of Hammarby IF.[2][3][4] Björk soon became known as a prolific goalscorer and established himself as one of Hammarby's key players, together with goalkeeper Victor Olsson and defender Gösta Wihlborg.[5][4][6]
In 1920, Hammarby debuted in the Svenska Serien, by then the highest league in Swedish football. The club finished third in the table, three points behind winners Örgryte.[7] The same year, Björk won two caps for the Sweden men's national football team, featuring in two 0–3 losses against Norway and Finland[8][6]
In 1922, Hammarby had another strong showing where they went to the finals of Svenska Mästerskapet, a cup by then held to decide the Swedish champion, losing 1–3 to GAIS in a game where Björk scored the consolation goal.[9][4]
In 1924, Hammarby IF was one of the founding members of Allsvenskan, a new league that was established to determine the Swedish champion.[10] He was forced to retire from football in 1925 due to suffering from diabetes.[11]
Other sports
Like many footballers at the time, Björk also played bandy with Hammarby IF between 1918 and 1925.[12][10][6]
In 1921, the club founded their ice hockey department, and on 7 March the same year, Björk became the very first goalscorer for Hammarby IF in a 7–5 win against IF Linnéa.[7] He was part of their roster for two seasons in total.[13]
Personal life
Björk died on 12 May 1928, aged 27, due to appendicitis.[14][6]
Works cited
- Persson, Gunnar (1996). Hammarby IF: En klubbhistoria 1897–1997 (in Swedish). Strömbergs Bokförlag. ISBN 91-7151-097-4.