Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat
Full nameKotkan Työväen Palloilijat
Nickname(s)KTP
Founded22 September 1927
GroundArto Tolsa Areena, Kotka, Finland
Capacity4,780
ChairmanJarkko Pippola
ManagerJussi Leppälahti
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2023Veikkausliiga, 12th of 12 (relegated)
WebsiteClub website

Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat (abbreviated as KTP) is a Finnish football club based in Kotka, and currently competing in Finland's premier league, Veikkausliiga. The club was founded in 1927 and its colours are green and white. Immediately after its formation the club joined the Finnish Workers' Sports Federation, to which it still belongs. KTP play its home matches at Arto Tolsa Areena.

History

KTP had a long football traditions centred on its golden age in the early 1950s when the club won two Finnish championships in 1951 and 1952. They also won the Finnish Cup four times, the most recent occasion being in 1980. The club, playing in the renamed Arto Tolsa Areena, were participating in the Veikkausliiga as recently as 2000, but were relegated to Ykkönen and finally went into bankruptcy. The club re-formed and played in the lower divisions before gaining promotion to the Kakkonen in 2007. They spent two seasons in the Kakkonen but were relegated in 2009. In 2010, the club are playing in the Kolmonen and was promoted to Kakkonen where they played 2011–2013.

KTP team which won the Finnish championship in 1951

Season 2014, KTP finished second in Ykkönen, and promoted to Finnish top league Veikkausliiga in season 2015. However, after a difficult 2015 Veikkausliiga season, club finished 11th in the league, and had to play a promotion play-off against PK-35. After two disappointing performances, the club lost on aggregate 3–2, and were relegated back to Ykkönen.

The all-time Championship appearances and leading goal scorer of KTP is Arto Tolsa with 126 goals in 201 matches.

Formation of FC KTP

During December 2013 a merger took place, as part of which FC KooTeePee adopted the name of FC Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat. As of the 2014 season the merged club were allowed to retain FC KooTeePee's place in the Ykkönen.

Supporters and rivalries

KTP is one of the most supported clubs in Finland. Closest rival is MYPA. Distance between the two cities is little over 30 kilometres. However, when MYPA went bankrupt, the two clubs have not faced each other for many years. During December 2017 and January 2018, KTP sold 2273 season tickets, which is the all-time record in the Finnish First Division.

Stadium

Arto Tolsa-Areena

The home venue of the KTP is Arto-Tolsa Arena. It was opened in 1952 and was known as the Kotkan Urheilukeskus, but in 2000 the full renovation of the stadium, the name was changed to the Arto Tolsa Arena. At the beginning of the 2015 season, the pitch was converted to an artificial playing surface.

Honours

Honour Number Years
Veikkausliiga
Champions 2 1951, 1952
Third place 2 1947, 1964
Ykkönen
Champions 1 2022
Runners-up 6 1978, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014, 2020
Kakkonen
Champions 2 1977, 1993
Runners-up 1 1975
Third place 3 1974, 1976, 1991
Kolmonen
Champions 3 2005, 2007, 2010
Third place 3 2002, 2004, 2006
Finnish Cup
Champions 4 1958, 1961, 1967, 1980
Runners-up 3 1965, 1966, 2000
Finnish League Cup
Runners-up 1 1999

European campaign

KTP have played in Europe on one occasion in the Cup Winners' Cup in the 1981–82 season, having won the Finnish Cup in 1980.

Season Competition Round Country Club Score Agg.
1981–82 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup First round France SC Bastia 0–0, v 0–5 0–5

Divisional Movements since 1930

Top Level (25 seasons): 1948–58, 1963–69, 1979–83, 1999–2000, 2015
Second Level (15 seasons): 1943/44, 1959–62, 1970–72, 1978, 1984, 1994–98, 2014, 2016, 2018-
Third Level (16 seasons): 1973–77, 1985–93, 2008–09, 2011–2013, 2017
Fourth Level (7 seasons): 2002–07, 2010
Fifth Level (1 season): 2001

Season to season

Season to Season
Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements
1948 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th
1949 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1950 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1951 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions
1952 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions
1953 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1954 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1955 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1956 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th
1957 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1958 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th Relegated
1959 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1960 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1961 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1962 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1963 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1964 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1965 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1966 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1967 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th
1968 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th
1969 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegated
1970 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1971 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1972 Tier 2 Suomisarja (Division Two) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th Relegated
1973 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1974 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1975 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1976 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1977 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1978 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd Promoted
1979 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1980 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1981 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1982 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th
1983 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12th Relegated
1984 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12th Relegated
1985 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1986 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1987 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th
1988 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1989 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1990 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1991 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1992 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1993 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1994 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th
1995 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1996 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1997 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd Promotion Group 4th
1998 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd Promotion Group 2nd – Promoted
1999 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th
2000 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12th Relegated
2001 Tier 5 Nelonen (Fourth Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 1st Promotion Group 1st – Promoted
2002 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 3rd
2003 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 6th
2004 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 3rd
2005 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 1st Playoff Group C
2006 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 3rd
2007 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 1st Promoted
2008 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
2009 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12th Relegated
2010 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) 1st Promoted
2011 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegation Playoff
2012 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Lohko Itä (Eastern Group) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
2013 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Lohko Itä (Eastern Group) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
2014 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd Promotion playoff, Promoted
2015 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegation playoff, Relegated
2016 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th Relegated
2017 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Lohko A Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Lost Promotion playoff, Promoted
2018 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th
2019 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
2020 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd Promotion playoff, Promoted

Club records

  • Most Championship (SM-sarja) matches: Arto Tolsa, 201 games between 1963 and 1981
  • Most goals in Championship (SM-sarja): Arto Tolsa, 126 goals in the years 1963–1981
  • Most goals in one season in Championship (SM-sarja) league matches: Arto Tolsa, 26 goals in season 1964
  • Home Match attendance record: 6,325 spectators in a match in 1981 against Kuopion Pallotoverit
  • Biggest win a Championship (SM-sarja) match: 8–0 home to Valkeakosken Haka in 1952
  • Biggest defeat in a Championship (SM-sarja) match: 1–8 away to Turun Palloseura in 1969

Attendances since 1994

Season Average In all Division
1994 497 6,455 First Division
1995 795 10,330 First Division
1996 943 13,205 First Division
1997 1,065 14,912 First Division
1998 1,325 18,552 First Division
1999 3,104 43,469 Premier League
2000 1,524 24,387 Premier League
2008 461 5,992 Second Division
2009 414 4,143 Second Division
2014 2,248 31,469 First Division
2015 2,565 Premier League
2016 1,221 First Division

Current squad

As of 21 July 2023[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Finland FIN Rasmus Leislahti
2 DF Finland FIN Miska Rautiola
3 DF Finland FIN Lassi Nurmos
5 DF Nigeria NGA Michael Ogungbaro
6 DF Finland FIN Valtteri Vesiaho
7 MF Finland FIN Joni Mäkelä
8 MF Finland FIN Johannes Laaksonen
9 FW Finland FIN Aleksi Tarvonen
10 FW Cape Verde CPV Willis Furtado
11 MF Cuba CUB Willian Pozo-Venta
14 DF Finland FIN Juho Lehtiranta
16 MF Finland FIN Anttoni Huttunen
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF Canada CAN Damiano Pecile (on loan from Venezia)
19 DF Finland FIN Miska Ylitolva (on loan from HJK)
20 FW Finland FIN Simo Roiha
21 MF Sweden SWE Gabriel Sandberg (on loan from Venezia)
22 MF Japan JPN Nathael Ishii
23 MF Finland FIN Matias Lindfors
25 GK Finland FIN Matias Niemelä
26 DF Finland FIN Matias Paavola
29 FW Spain ESP Mika
30 FW Australia AUS Alen Harbas (on loan from Sydney FC II)
32 MF Finland FIN David Ramadingaye
34 DF Finland FIN Nikolas Talo

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
44 DF Finland FIN Eelis Silvo (at Peli-Karhut until 31 December 2023)
GK Ukraine UKR Maksym Zhuk (at KäPa until 31 December 2023)
MF Finland FIN Niklas Leinonen (at MP until 31 December 2023)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW Nigeria NGA Adeleke Oluwatobi Babatunde (at MP until 31 December 2023)
FW Finland FIN Aapo Hyppönen (at HIFK until 31 December 2023)
FW Finland FIN Santeri Stenius (at MP until 31 December 2023)

First Team Managers since 1980

  • Finland Kalervo Paananen (1980–82)
  • Poland Stanislav Sobczynski (1983)
  • Finland Jouko Alila (1984–88)
  • Poland Czesław Boguszewicz (1989–91)
  • Finland Pekka Ihonen (1992)
  • Finland Heikki Immonen (1993–94)
  • Finland Markku Wacklin (1995–96)
  • Finland Olli-Pekka Smal (1997–98)
  • Finland Hannu Touru (1999–2000)
  • Finland Jouko Alila (2000)
  • Finland Risto Inkeroinen (2001)
  • Finland Vesa Laurikainen (2003–04)
  • Finland Jouko Alila (2005–06)
  • Finland Jouko Alila (2008)
  • Finland Marko Honkanen (2009)
  • Finland Tommi Keveri (2010)
 

References

  1. "Miehet 2021". KTP (in Finnish). Retrieved 29 April 2021.
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