Highly popular goalkeeper of the late 1980s and early 1990s, who started the trend of throwing his gloves into the Spurs crowd, who adored Erik the Viking.
Having developed his early talent at Viking Stavanger - a club that runs through his football career, which he knew he was going to have when he signed his first professional contract in 1985 - and Eik-Tonsberg, Erik moved abroad to try his luck with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. His parents were happy for him, although it meant he had ot move abroad and he wouldn't be able to mow their lawn anymore ! He experienced a tough time, but when he returned to Scandinavia, he found success at IFK Goteborg in Sweden. He was part of the team that won the Swedish league title in 1988, but did not warrant a medal, as he had not taken part in enough games to qualify for one.
With Tottenham looking for an experienced goalkeeper to replace the dodgy Bobby Mimms and to bring on the young Ian Walker, Terry Venables turned to the tall Norwegian and he rapidly won fans over with a fine series of performances and while unspectacular, he provided a sound presence behind the defence to give them confidence. This was despite a gaffe in his first game for Spurs, when he was in goal in a live screening of a game against Nottingham Forest at White Hart Lane. Taking a long shot, he took his eye off the ball, perhaps thinking about what he was going to do with the ball once he had gathered it, it slipped through his fingers and dropped into the goal to give Forest the lead. Luckily, he produced a good performance for the rest of the match and Spurs ran out 2-1 winners.
His part in the FA Cup run in 1991 was notable, making some good saves to keep Spurs in the cup, with it becoming his first major medal when Tottenham beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the Final at Wembley. With a great rapport with the fans, his performances limited the opportunities of Ian Walker to stake his claim between the posts. His ability caught the eye of Norwegian national coach Egil Olsen and he picked Erik for the 1994 World Cup squad, after Norway had knocked England out in qualifying and he played each game for his country there. Kept two clean sheets v Mexico and Republic of Ireland, but, with all four teams having gained four points, Norway had only scored one goal, so finished bottom on goal difference and exited the tournament.
In and out the Spurs side after that tournament, due to the rise of Walker's star, Thorstvedt eventually had to retire in 1996 after a series of back injuries meant he was unable to continue playing at the top level.
After his playing career ended, Erik helped out with coaching the goalkeepers of the Norway national side and assisted Espen Baardsen in his move to Tottenham, having invited him over from America to train with him at the club. He also took over as Director of Football at Viking, returning to his first club. Thorstvedt also acts as an analyst for TV channel Canal+ and TV Norge - the channel who have a reality show based on a football team called Tufte IL, of which Thorstvedt is the coach.
A player who will long remain in the hearts and minds of Tottenham supporters, because of his appreciation of the supporters backing and one who played an important part in the club's history at an uncertain time.