Christian Backman will retire his number 5 shirt in Frolunda.
When the news was published on social media, the club was met with criticism.
Fans answer: “I don’t understand this at all”, “I feel really bad” and “Are there other things that are more obvious”.
43-year-old Christian Backman from Alingsås has played eleven seasons at Frölunda.
The double comeback team was involved in winning SM gold during the amazing 2004/2005 lockdown season.
He played 581 matches, the ninth most in the club’s history.
“You’re going crooked”
The fans’ criticism is partly due to his lack of importance and partly because other players should be in front:
“I know I asked before, but why didn’t No. 11 be retired after everything Kanberg did for Frolunda? 13 seasons, 2 SM Gold as a senior, SM Gold J18 and SM gold J20. Can you have an answer to that question?”
“This is a snow slope called Doga.”
“I don’t understand this at all. He had 1-2 good seasons in the team. 04/05 he was really good. But then? Average. There are many other players who have left a bigger mark, without completing ten seasons in the first team.”
“All respect to Bachman, but he played seventh in the most number of matches. He was never a captain. ‘Just’ a little gold. There are others who are more obvious – Johnson, Kallio, Hinkie, Alfredsson, Kanberg.”
“It’s actually a really scary feeling! If the jersey is going to be on the surface, it has to be something really special – and Backman’s run at Frölunda was nothing really special in my eyes. Good or close to very good and long, it shouldn’t be enough to lift.
“Clear and strict policy”
Frölunda took note of the reactions to its Board of Directors’ decision.
– It’s surprising that you’re being critical, but I don’t think you mean that Christian Backman doesn’t deserve to go up to the ceiling. He doesn’t deserve any criticism, he was a great player for us. There are many hot feelings that govern anyone who would rather celebrate it in one of the best ways in the club. We have a clear and strict policy on how to evaluate this and avoid it. The names mentioned do not meet these criteria. “We try to be careful and not change ourselves to bring in certain players,” says club president Mats Growers. “We have to draw a line no matter how much we like certain players.”
Christian Backman’s number 5 will be the eighth shirt to be hung on the Scandinavia roof.
– There is no doubt that Christian Backman meets the requirements we have set. In the long run, who knows if there are too many shirts, the player turnover is much greater and players don’t stay for long at one club. Of course, we have an obvious player who retired last spring (Joel Lundqvist), but we’re not talking about him now because he’s not yet relevant according to the regulations. I have great respect and understand that supporters feel our ceiling has been set too narrowly if their personal favorite doesn’t show up. If it has that much value, you can’t have an infinite number of jackets on the roof, says Mats Growers.
“A very great honor”
Before the home match against HV71 on the afternoon of Saturday 27 January, Christian Backman will be celebrated.
-It is a very great honor and a great feeling. I have always tried to do the best I can and at Frölunda I had the honor of playing in a good atmosphere and in good conditions. “I’m very grateful for that, and it has contributed a lot to my career,” says Christian Backmann to the club’s website.
The list of merit also includes a legendary Olympic gold medal with three crowns in Turin in 2006 and six seasons in the NHL in St. Louis. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Previously retired shirt numbers at Frölunda: 13 Lars Erik Lundvall14 ronald “Sora Bailey” Peterson, 19 jurgen peterson, 29 stefan larson, 14 patrick Carnback, 23 Ronnie Sundin 24 Nicholas Anderson.