The Kniksen Award (), established in 1990, honors the best players in the Norwegian football premiership. The award is named after the legendary Norwegian football player Roald Jensen, nicknamed "Kniksen".
Categories
Category A
A jury composed of players, leaders, coaches and officials in the Tippeligaen, nominates and choose the winners in each category. All the nominees must play in the Norwegian top division. The player's nationality does not matter. The categories are:
Goalkeeper of the Year Defender of the Year Midfielder of the Year Striker of the Year Coach of the Year Referee of the Year
In 2006, two further categories were also awarded: Young player of the year, and 1. divisjon player of the year.
Category B (the main awards)
Kniksen of the Year
This is awarded to the best Norwegian player of the year. The Kniksen of the year award was replaced by "Gullballen" (English: The Golden Ball) in 2014. The player can play abroad or in Norway and can be won by both female and male players.
Kniksen's honour award
The Kniksen's honour award is awarded to a person or a team, who have made a great contribution to Norwegian football. This award can be considered a lifetime achievement award, and is recognized as Norwegian football's most prestigious award. The Kniksen's honour award was not awarded in 2005 or 2006, but was resumed in 2007.
The main awards were presented annually at Idrettsgallaen at Hamar in January, but in 2007, all Kniksen awards were presented at a separate award show in November.
Winners Source: 1990s
1990 Goalkeeper of the Year: Einar Rossbach, Tromsø IL Defender of the Year: Per-Ove Ludvigsen, Fyllingen Fotball Midfielder of the Year: Per Egil Ahlsen, SK Brann Striker of the Year: Tore André Dahlum, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Erik Thorstvedt, Tottenham Hotspur Kniksen's honour award: Not Awarded
1991 Goalkeeper of the Year: Frode Grodås, Lillestrøm SK Defender of the Year: Pål Lydersen, IK Start Midfielder of the Year: Øyvind Leonhardsen, Molde FK Striker of the Year: Gøran Sørloth, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Benny Lennartsson, Viking FK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Rune Bratseth, Werder Bremen Kniksen's honour award: Terje Kojedal, Ham-Kam and Sverre Brandhaug, Rosenborg BK
1992 Goalkeeper of the Year: Ola By Rise, Rosenborg BK Defender of the Year: Roger Nilsen, Viking FK Midfielder of the Year: Erik Mykland, IK Start Striker of the Year: Gøran Sørloth, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Per Brogeland, Kongsvinger IL Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Rune Bratseth, Werder Bremen Kniksen's honour award: Egil "Drillo" Olsen, Manager Norway and Per Egil Ahlsen, Fredrikstad FK
1993 Goalkeeper of the Year: Frode Grodås, Lillestrøm SK Defender of the Year: Tore Pedersen, SK Brann Midfielder of the Year: Øyvind Leonhardsen, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Mons Ivar Mjelde, Lillestrøm SK Coach of the Year: Trond Sollied, FK Bodø/Glimt Referee of the Year: Roy Helge Olsen, SFK Lyn Kniksen of the Year: Egil "Drillo" Olsen, Manager Norway Kniksen's honour award: Norway women's national football team
1994 Goalkeeper of the Year: Thomas Myhre, Viking FK Defender of the Year: Pål Lydersen, IK Start Midfielder of the Year: Erik Mykland, IK Start Striker of the Year: Harald Martin Brattbakk, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Rune Bratseth, Werder Bremen Kniksen's honour award: Per Ravn Omdal President, Norwegian Football Association and Rune Bratseth, Werder Bremen
1995 Goalkeeper of the Year: Morten Bakke, Molde FK Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Ståle Solbakken, Lillestrøm SK Striker of the Year: Harald Martin Brattbakk, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Hege Riise, Norway Kniksen's honour award: Ola By Rise, Rosenborg BK
1996 Goalkeeper of the Year: Jørn Jamtfall, Rosenborg BK Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Trond Egil Soltvedt, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Mons Ivar Mjelde, SK Brann Coach of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Manchester United Kniksen's honour award: Erik Thorstvedt, Viking FK
1997 Goalkeeper of the Year: Frode Olsen, Stabæk IF Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Bent Skammelsrud, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Harald Martin Brattbakk, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Dag Vidar Kristoffersen, Strømsgodset IF Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, manager Rosenborg BK Kniksen's honour award: Rosenborg BK
1998 Goalkeeper of the Year: Frode Olsen, Stabæk IF Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Roar Strand, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Sigurd Rushfeldt, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Trond Sollied, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Tore André Flo, Chelsea F.C. Kniksen's honour award: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy
1999 Goalkeeper of the Year: Frode Olsen, Stabæk IF Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Magnus Svensson, Viking FK Striker of the Year: Rune Lange, Tromsø IL Coach of the Year: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Henning Berg, Manchester United Kniksen's honour award: Nils Johan Semb, (Manager Norway) and Jostein Flo
2000s
2000 Goalkeeper of the Year: Emille Baron, Lillestrøm SK Defender of the Year: Erik Hoftun, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Ørjan Berg, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Thorstein Helstad, SK Brann Coach of the Year: Benny Lennartsson, Viking FK Referee of the Year: Rune Pedersen, SK Sprint-Jeløy Kniksen of the Year: Erik Mykland, 1860 München Kniksen's honour award: Jahn Ivar Jakobsen, Rosenborg BK and Norway women's national football team
2001 Goalkeeper of the Year: Arni Gautur Arason, Rosenborg BK Defender of the Year: Torgeir Bjarmann, Lillestrøm SK Midfielder of the Year: Ørjan Berg, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Clayton Zane, Lillestrøm SK Coach of the Year: Arne Erlandsen, Lillestrøm SK Referee of the Year: Tom Henning Øvrebø, Nordstrand IF Kniksen of the Year: Ørjan Berg, Rosenborg BK Kniksen's honour award: Bent Skammelsrud and Roar Strand, Rosenborg BK
2002 Goalkeeper of the Year: Erik Holtan, Odd Grenland Defender of the Year: Tommy Berntsen, FC Lyn Oslo Midfielder of the Year: Ørjan Berg, Rosenborg BK Striker of the Year: Bengt Sæternes, FK Bodø/Glimt Coach of the Year: Sture Fladmark, FC Lyn Oslo Referee of the Year: Tom Henning Øvrebø, Nordstrand IF Kniksen of the Year: André Bergdølmo, Ajax Kniksen's honour award: Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg BK
2003 Goalkeeper of the Year: Espen Johnsen, Rosenborg BK Defender of the Year: Vidar Riseth, Rosenborg BK Midfielder of the Year: Martin Andresen, Stabæk Striker of the Year: Harald Martin Brattbakk, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Øystein Gåre, FK Bodø/Glimt Referee of the Year: Tom Henning Øvrebø, Nordstrand IF Kniksen of the Year: Martin Andresen, Stabæk IF Kniksen's honour award: Per Ravn Omdal, President, Norwegian Football Association
2004 Goalkeeper of the Year: Ali Al-Habsi, FC Lyn Oslo Defender of the Year: Erik Hagen, Vålerenga IF Midfielder of the Year: Ardian Gashi, Vålerenga IF Striker of the Year: Alexander Ødegaard, Sogndal IL Coach of the Year: Ståle Solbakken, Ham-Kam Referee of the Year: Terje Hauge, Olsvik IL Kniksen of the Year: Erik Hagen, Vålerenga IF Kniksen's honour award: Henning Berg and Hege Riise
2005 Goalkeeper of the Year: Arni Gautur Arason, Vålerenga IF Defender of the Year: Bård Borgersen, IK Start Midfielder of the Year: Kristofer Hæstad, IK Start Striker of the Year: Ole Martin Årst, Tromsø IL Coach of the Year: Tom Nordlie, IK Start Referee of the Year: Tom Henning Øvrebø, Nordstrand IF Kniksen of the Year: John Carew, Lyon Kniksen's honour award: Not Awarded
2006 Goalkeeper of the Year: Håkon Opdal, SK Brann Defender of the Year: Per Nilsson, Odd Grenland Midfielder of the Year: Robert Koren, Lillestrøm SK Striker of the Year: Steffen Iversen, Rosenborg BK Coach of the Year: Knut Tørum, Rosenborg BK Referee of the Year: Tom Henning Øvrebø, Nordstrand IF Young Player of the Year: Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, FC Lyn Oslo 1. divisjon Player of the Year: Mattias Andersson, Strømsgodset IF Kniksen of the Year: John Arne Riise, Liverpool Kniksen's honour award: Not Awarded
2007 Goalkeeper of the Year: Håkon Opdal, SK Brann Defender of the Year: Frode Kippe, Lillestrøm SK Midfielder of the Year: Alanzinho, Stabæk IF Striker of the Year: Thorstein Helstad, SK Brann Coach of the Year: Mons Ivar Mjelde, SK Brann Referee of the Year: Terje Hauge, Olsvik IL Kniksen of the Year: John Carew, Aston Villa Kniksen's honour award: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Manchester United
2008 Goalkeeper of the Year: Eddie Gustafsson, FC Lyn Oslo Defender of the Year: Morten Morisbak Skjønsberg, Stabæk IF Midfielder of the Year: Alanzinho, Stabæk IF Striker of the Year: Daniel Nannskog, Stabæk IF Coach of the Year: Jan Jönsson, Stabæk & Geir Nordby, Røa IL Referee of the Year: Espen Berntsen, Vang in Hamar Kniksen of the Year: John Carew, Aston Villa Kniksen's honour award: Ronny Johnsen
2009 Goalkeeper of the Year: Jon Knudsen, Stabæk Defender of the Year: Knut Olav Rindarøy, Molde Midfielder of the Year: Makhtar Thioune, Molde Striker of the Year: Rade Prica, Rosenborg Coach of the Year: Kjell Jonevret, Molde Referee of the Year: Kristoffer Helgerud, Lier Kniksen of the Year: Brede Hangeland, Fulham Kniksen's honour award: Karen Espelund, former Secretary-General of the Norwegian Football Association
2010s
2010 Goalkeeper of the Year: Anders Lindegaard, Aalesund Defender of the Year: Tom Høgli, Tromsø Midfielder of the Year: Anthony Annan, Rosenborg Striker of the Year: Mohammed Abdellaoue, Vålerenga Coach of the Year: Jostein Grindhaug, Haugesund Referee of the Year: Svein Oddvar Moen, Haugar Kniksen of the Year: Anthony Annan, Rosenborg, Lisa-Marie Woods, Stabæk Kniksen's honour award: Terje Hauge, Olsvik IL
2011 Goalkeeper of the Year: Espen Bugge Pettersen, Molde Defender of the Year: Even Hovland, Sogndal Midfielder of the Year: Michael Barrantes, Aalesund Striker of the Year: Nikola Djurdjic, Haugesund Coach of the Year: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Molde Referee of the Year: Svein Oddvar Moen, Haugar Kniksen of the Year: Mohammed Abdellaoue, Hannover Kniksen's honour award: Sigurd Rushfeldt, Tromsø
2012 Goalkeeper of the Year: Kenneth Udjus, Sogndal Defender of the Year: Vegard Forren, Molde Midfielder of the Year: Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Molde Striker of the Year: Alexander Søderlund, Haugesund Coach of the Year: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Molde Referee of the Year: Svein Oddvar Moen, Haugar Kniksen of the Year: Brede Hangeland, Fulham Kniksen's honour award: Nils Skutle, Rosenborg
2013 Goalkeeper of the Year: Adam Larsen Kwarasey, Strømsgodset Defender of the Year: Lars Christopher Vilsvik, Strømsgodset Midfielder of the Year: Stefan Johansen, Strømsgodset Striker of the Year: Frode Johnsen, Odd Coach of the Year: Ronny Deila, Strømsgodset 1. divisjon Player of the Year: Badou, Bodø/Glimt Kniksen's honour award: Not Awarded
2014 Goalkeeper of the Year: Ørjan Nyland, Molde Defender of the Year: Martin Linnes, Molde Midfielder of the Year: Jone Samuelsen, Odd Striker of the Year: Vidar Örn Kjartansson, Vålerenga Coach of the Year: Tor Ole Skullerud, Molde Young Player of the Year: Martin Ødegaard, Strømsgodset