AMJ Gruppen has entered into a commercial partnership with English club Marine FC, and CEO and owner Alf Mangor Johannessen has been appointed to the Club's Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director.
The agreement marks AMJ Gruppen's first venture into English football and Marine FC's first international board appointment in the Club's 130-year history.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bodø, AMJ Gruppen has built its position over more than 25 years as one of Norway's leading hospitality and restaurant groups. The partnership with Marine FC extends that work beyond Norway's borders for the first time — and connects Northern Norway with one of English football's most distinctive community clubs.
Alf Mangor Johannessen was introduced to Marine by friends Bjørn Tungevåg and Øyvind Stang, who have been regular visitors to Marine Travel Arena over recent seasons. A football weekend in Liverpool led to a first visit to the Club — and to the decision to formalise his involvement.
"When I first visited Marine, I immediately sensed that this club is about much more than football. It is built on passionate people, strong values and a genuine connection with its local community. Those are qualities I recognise and value in business," says Alf Mangor Johannessen.
"Throughout my career I have believed in long-term thinking, strong partnerships and sustainable growth. I look forward to contributing my experience and supporting Marine FC as the Club continues its exciting journey.
I believe the strongest partnerships are built over time. We will take one step at a time, get to know each other better and explore the opportunities this relationship may create for both Marine FC and AMJ Gruppen.
It is an honour for me to join the Board of Marine FC, and for AMJ Gruppen to become part of the Marine family."
For AMJ Gruppen, football is not new territory. The Group is a long-standing principal sponsor of FK Bodø/Glimt, one of Northern Europe's leading clubs, and provides hospitality and catering services for the Club's home matches — work that includes extensive experience delivering services for major UEFA fixtures, in both the Champions League and the Europa League. At Marine, the commercial partnership includes prominent AMJ Gruppen branding throughout Marine Travel Arena, with the company's presence visible across the stadium on matchdays and beyond.
Marine FC Chief Executive James Leary said: "Welcoming Alf Mangor to the board is a really exciting step forward. He has built an outstanding business over more than 25 years and brings exactly the kind of entrepreneurial experience that will help us grow. On a personal level, it has been great to get to know Alf Mangor since he visited Liverpool on a football weekend almost 12 months ago. He has a fondness for Marine and a real desire to help develop the football club further going forward. His commercial support will help us to solidify financially in what has been a really difficult climate. I know all Mariners will join me in welcoming Alf Mangor to the club."
Both parties see the agreement as the beginning of a relationship founded on shared values, long-term thinking and sustainable development. While the initial focus is on supporting Marine FC's continued growth, both AMJ Gruppen and the Club recognise the potential to strengthen relationships between Merseyside and Northern Norway through football, tourism, business and commercial collaboration as the partnership develops.
Marine FC is a fan-owned club with deep community roots and a growing national and international profile. The Club captured global attention through its FA Cup Third Round tie against Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 — the most watched non-league match in history — and has since achieved back-to-back promotions to reach the National League North, the sixth tier of English football. Two-time Champions League winner and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is an advisor to the Club.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bodø, Northern Norway, AMJ Gruppen is one of Norway's leading hospitality groups. The company operates approximately 40 restaurants across multiple concepts and holds the franchise rights to international brands including Burger King, Peppes Pizza and Sabi Sushi throughout Norway.
Alongside its franchise operations, the Group has developed a diverse portfolio of proprietary hospitality concepts in Bodø, Tromsø and Oslo — among them Bryggerikaia Restaurant, Helmersen deli & wine bar, Trattoria Polare and Taverna'n — built around a passion for premium Norwegian seafood and exceptional dining experiences. The Group continues to invest in restaurants, property and business development.
