Sandnes FK was founded in January 1997 as an umbrella club for eleven teams in the Sandnes district. FK Haugesund was an inspiration.[1]
It played in the 2001 Norwegian Second Division, but was relegated to the Third Division after that season. As a result, the other clubs stopped backing Sandnes FK. Sandnes FK tried their luck on their own in the 2002 season.[2]
In early 2003 many started advocating a new merger in the city. In February 2003 people came forward with a wish to merge Sandnes FK and Ulf-Sandnes, with support from Sandved IL, and to hire Benny Lennartsson as head coach.[3] In March an "intensjonsavtale" was signed between the two clubs.[4] The plan received a blow in April, when Benny Lennartsson declared himself unavailable, as his wife had unfortunately not been hired at Stavanger University College.[5] The plan was not scrapped, but it was said that the plan depended on either Sandnes FK or Ulf-Sandnes winning promotion.[6] Sandnes FK won their Third Division group, whereas Ulf-Sandnes was relegated. This increased the keenness of both parts to cooperate. Talks started after the season.[7] In late 2003 the mayor of Sandnes stood forward in advertisements, donning the Sandnes FK jersey, to gather popular and commercial support for a new club.[8]
By early 2004, plans had been made, and approved by the board of directors in both clubs as well as the Football Association of Norway.[9] First, the annual convention in Sandnes FK would take place on 9 February, and agree to discontinue the club and grant Ulf-Sandnes its spot in the league system. On 10 February, Ulf-Sandnes would change its name to "Sandnes Ulf" to carry on a certain legacy from Sandnes FK.[10] This was agreed to, and Sandnes FK ceased to exist.[11]
The economy of Sandnes FK was never in the best of shapes. In July 2003 the club barely escaped bankruptcy.[12] The economy improved after the merger.[13]