SJK Seinäjoki
Full nameSeinäjoen Jalkapallokerho
Nickname(s)SJK, Kerho (The Club)
Founded5 November 2007 (5 November 2007)
GroundOmaSP Stadion,
Seinäjoki, Finland
Capacity5,817
ChairmanRaimo Sarajärvi
ManagerToni Lehtinen
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2023Veikkausliiga, 4th of 12
WebsiteClub website
SJK supporters.

Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho (or SJK Seinäjoki or SJK) is a Finnish professional football club from the city of Seinäjoki. The club plays in the Veikkausliiga, the highest tier of the Finnish league system. Their home ground is OmaSP Stadion, which is located near the city center and next to SJK's training facility Wallsport. SJK was formed in 2007 after the merger of TP-Seinäjoki and Sepsi-78.

History

The early years

SJK was formed on 5 November 2007 as a merger between the first teams of TP-Seinäjoki and Sepsi-78. It was told to the public five days later. Sepsi-78 had a board meeting on 24 October and TP-Seinäjoki on the next day. Both clubs supported the merger.[1] Sepsi-78 and TP both gave up their place in Kakkonen.[2] The first signing of the new club was Petri Huttu.[3] There were several negotiations about the merger over the years. The main reason was the inadequacy of players. The clubs continued doing junior work after the merger, but could also have their own team in the lower divisions. The work name of the club was Seinäjoki Futis, and there was a contest about the official name, where everyone could suggest a name. The final name was Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho, that had been suggested by many people. There was also a contest about the logo and uniform.[4] The registered name of the club is Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho ry, and it was registered on January 22, 2008.[5] Mikko Latomäki was chosen as the first chairman. Jukka Saarijärvi was chosen as the vice chairman. Saarijärvi was a former TP-Seinäjoki chairman.

Promotion to Veikkausliiga

In 2013 SJK started its second season in Ykkönen. In 2012 SJK had been placed second. SJK made some signings for 2013, which included a Spanish La Masia graduate Josu and Estonian Mihkel Aksalu. SJK started the season on May 4 with a 2–1 win over PK-35 Vantaa. SJK played AC Kajaani on June 30 and won 1–7. Kajaani made a complaint to Palloliitto about the amount of foreigners in SJK. The complaint went through and AC Kajaani was changed as the winner of the match. SJK complained about the decision and the result was again changed. AC Kajaani complained again, but later canceled it.[6] After that SJK lost five matches in a row. SJK however did win eight matches in a row after that. The promotion to Veikkausliiga was confirmed on 29 September 2013 in a homematch against FC Haka. There was a record breaking attendance (4 798). The match was a 1–1 draw.

SJK started the season 2014 with winning the League Cup. SJK won the final 2–0 against local rivals Vaasan Palloseura.[7] The season started poorly, at the end of May the club was at the eleventh place. After that SJK won seven games in a row and those results lifted SJK to the second place. HJK won the league and SJK was second. SJK was the only club to win against HJK under Mika Lehkosuo. SJK lost only two of the last 24 games. The most important players were Mihkel Aksalu, the league's best defender Cedric Gogoua, Johannes Laaksonen and Toni Lehtinen.[8]

For the 2015 season SJK got even stronger. There were new signings like Mehmet Hetemaj and Ariel Ngueukam. SJK was considered as the biggest challenger of HJK. SJK was at the top of the table in September. SJK won HJK 3–0 in Seinäjoki. At the end of the season SJK's biggest challenger was Rovaniemen Palloseura. SJK won the league with one point difference to RoPS. The most important players were Roope Riski and Liverpool FC loanee Allan. SJK was chosen as the team of the year in Finland's sports gala.[9]

SJK won the Finnish Cup in 2016. It was the first time in the club's history.[10]

SJK's head coach Simo Valakari was surprisingly sacked on February 17, 2017. He was replaced by Sixten Boström.[11] Sixten Boström got also sacked after poor results in May and was replaced by Spanish José Manuel Roca[12] Roca was sacked in September. SJK Akatemia coaches Brian Page and Toni Lehtinen did the job for the rest of the poor season.[13] Under Page and Lehtinen SJK lost the Finnish Cup final to HJK.[14] Tommi Kautonen was hired as the new head coach in October 2017.[15] The season 2018 didn't start as planned and Kautonen was sacked. He was replaced by Aleksei Borisovich Yeryomenko. Yeryomenko could save SJK from relegation.[16] Yeryomenko continued as the head coach in 2019. SJK signed for example Sergei Eremenko and Moshtagh Yaghoubi.[17][18] SJK didn't win a single game in the group stage of the Finnish Cup in the winter.[19] The Veikkausliiga-campaign started well, because SJK won in the first round for the first time ever.[20] SJK won KPV in the end of April and was at the first place of the league.[21] Despite the good start, SJK couldn't get good results. Yeryomenko was sacked in August. The replacement was Brian Page.[22] SJK didn't win any games for the rest of the season. SJK placed ninth.

After the season SJK appointed Jani Honkavaara as the new head coach.[23] Honkavaara signed many prolific players for the 2020 season, such as Ariel Ngueukam, Robin Sid, Tero Mäntylä and Niko Markkula.[24] In the winter, SJK once again could not get through from the group stage of the Finnish Cup.[25] As the Veikkausliiga season started in July, SJK won in the first round against TPS.[26] SJK had a good start to the season, but the results started to get worse quite quickly.[27] In the summer transfer window the club signed a couple of players, such as Jake Jervis and Emmanuel Ledesma.[28] They proved themselves quickly and with their lead SJK could end the season somewhat brightly. SJK finished seventh, which was disappointing for the club and the supporters.[29]

On 6 March 2023, SJK announced a co-operation deal with Ghanaian football academy Vision FC.[30]

Domestic history

Season Level Pos Pld W D L For Against Points Finnish Cup League Cup Top goalscorer (League)[31] Top goalscorer (All competitions)
20083rd8261079573737–Finland Tommi Haanpää  – 10-
200952614111565243Third round–Finland Mikael Muurimäki  – 14-
20105261196463142Fifth Round–Finland Mikael Muurimäki  – 9-
20111262240721470Seventh Round–Finland Petter Meyer  – 23-
20122nd2271458422947Fifth Round–Finland Toni Lehtinen – 13Finland Toni Lehtinen - 14
20131271854511759Third round–Finland Toni Lehtinen – 10Finland Toni Lehtinen – 10
20141st23316116402659Quarter-finalWinnersFinland Akseli Pelvas – 11Finland Akseli Pelvas – 12
20151331869502260Fifth RoundQuarter-finalFinland Akseli Pelvas – 14Finland Akseli Pelvas – 20
201633317610493657WinnersRunners-upFinland Roope Riski – 17Finland Roope Riski – 25
201763313812424747Runners-up–England Billy Ions – 12England Billy Ions – 14
20189338817283732Quarter-final–Finland Johannes Laaksonen – 6Finland Johannes Laaksonen, Democratic Republic of the Congo Aristote M'Boma  – 6
20199277911182930Group-stage-Ukraine Denys Oliynyk - 8Ukraine Denys Oliynyk - 10
2020722859272929Group-stage-Argentina Emmanuel Ledesma - 5Finland Joonas Lepistö - 6
20213271467453448Quarter-final-Cameroon Ariel Ngueukam –14Cameroon Ariel Ngueukam – 14
202262710512333835Quarter-finalSemi-finalEngland Jake Jervis –6England Jake Jervis – 10
2023 4271269353342Fourth roundGroup-stageNicaragua Jaime Moreno –11Nicaragua Jaime Moreno – 12

European history

Accurate as of 28 July 2022
CompetitionPlayedWonDrewLostGFGAGDWin%
UEFA Champions League 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2 000.00
UEFA Europa League 4 0 1 3 0 4 −4 000.00
UEFA Europa Conference League 4 1 0 3 6 9 −3 025.00

Legend: GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1Q Iceland FH 0–1 0–1 0–2
2016–17 UEFA Champions League 2Q Belarus BATE Borisov 2–2 0–2 2–4
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1Q Iceland KR Reykjavík 0–2 0–0 0–2
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Estonia Flora 4–2 (a.e.t.) 0–1 4–3
2Q Norway Lillestrøm 0–1 2–5 2–6
Notes
  • 1Q: First qualifying round
  • 2Q: Second qualifying round

Stadium and sponsors

Stadium

OmaSP Stadion

SJK play their home matches at OmaSP Stadion. Previously SJK played their home matches at Seinäjoen keskuskenttä.

In 2010, it was reported for the first time that SJK were planning a new football stadium. Eventually, in autumn 2014 it was announced that the construction of SJK's new stadium would start soon. The construction began in summer 2015 and the new stadium was completed in June 2016.[32] Stadium has a capacity of 5817 seats.

SJK play their friendlies and cup matches during the winter at Wallsport Areena which is an indoor training facility owned and operated by the team.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

As of 3 April 2022[33]
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsors Ref
2008–2009 England Umbro Nordea, S-Market
2010–2011 Germany Adidas Nordea, Carlsberg, Eepee
2012 Kotijoukkue, Prisma
2013 Kotijoukkue, Lähitapiola, ABC, Sokos Hotels
2014 Conline, Ilkka, Lähitapiola, GapCon, Sokos Hotels
2015 Conline, Kotijoukkue, Lähitapiola, EPPK, ABC, Sokos Hotels
2016 Conline, Kotijoukkue, Lähitapiola, EPPK, Prima Power
2017 FinCap, I-Print, OmaSp, Lähitapiola, Prima Power, Elisa
2018 Visura, ProPrint, Peab, Lähitapiola, OmaSp, Elisa [34]
2019 Atria, ProPrint, Peab, Lähitapiola, OmaSp, Elisa
2020 Atria, ProPrint, Lähitapiola, OmaSp, Elisa
2021 Atria, ProPrint, Ilkka-Pohjalainen, Lähitapiola, OmaSp, Elisa
2022 Ilkka-Pohjalainen, ProPrint, Lecklé, Lähitapiola, OmaSp, Pihlajalinna

Honours

Current squad

As of 16 January 2024[35][36][37]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
7 FW Finland FIN Rasmus Karjalainen
9 FW Nicaragua NCA Jaime Moreno
16 DF Finland FIN Otto Kemppainen
17 DF Finland FIN Ville Tikkanen
18 MF Finland FIN Markus Arsalo
19 FW Finland FIN Tuomas Kaukua
21 FW Ghana GHA Kingsley Ofori
23 MF Malaysia MAS Nooa Laine
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 MF Argentina ARG Valentin Gasc
26 MF Finland FIN Pyry Hannola
— FW Finland FIN Kasper Paananen
— DF Finland FIN Dario Naamo
— MF Finland FIN Lauri Laine
— GK Finland FIN Hemmo Riihimäki
— GK Finland FIN Roope Paunio
— MF Ghana GHA Salim Yussif

Out 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
— FW Finland FIN Jeremiah Streng (at Ascoli until 30 June 2024)

Management and boardroom

Management

As of 12 January 2023[38][39][40][41][42]

Name Role
Finland Toni Lehtinen Head coach
Scotland Stevie Grieve Assistant coach
Finland Risto-Matti Toivonen Fitness coach
Brazil Luís Fernando Goalkeeping coach
Finland Tiitus Lehtinen Physiotherapist
Finland Pekka Lehtinen Team Manager
Finland Ranno Kukk Doctor
Brazil Adriel Gabilan Analyst/Scout
England Paul Riley Analyst/Scout
Finland Arttu Aromaa SJK Akatemia Head coach
Finland Niko Hasa SJK Akatemia 2 Head coach
England Ash Civil Talent coach

Boardroom

As of 19 February 2021[43]

Name Role
Finland Raimo Sarajärvi Chairman
Wales Richie Dorman Technical director
Finland Sami-Petteri Kivimäki Managing Director
Finland Heikki Leppänen Chief Financial Officer
Finland Elina Paavola Finance Manager
Finland Joonas Kuivalainen Sales Negotiator
Finland Lari Paski Media Manager
Finland Tommi Kilpiö Marketing Assistant

SJK Akatemia

SJK Akatemia contains three teams: U17 and two U23 teams. In 2024 the U23 teams play in Ykkösliiga (the second highest league in Finland) and Kakkonen (the fourth highest league in Finland). The teams are coached by Arttu Aromaa and Niko Hasa.[44] In 2018 SJK started a football high school with Kuortane sports school. It produces young players to SJK and SJK Akatemia.

Records and notable stats

Club Records

  • Biggest home win: SJK 8–1 TUS (30 May 2008)
  • Biggest away win: VPS-j 0–7 SJK (7 September 2008)
  • Biggest home loss: SJK 0–6 HJK (10 August 2017)
  • Biggest away loss: HJK 6–0 SJK (31 May 2017)
  • Most consecutive matches without lost: 44 (18 August 2010 – 30 May 2012)
  • Most consecutive wins: 9 (11 July 2011 – 27 August 2011)
  • Most consecutive losses: 5 (8 April 2022 – 7 May 2022)

Individual Records

Most appearances

As of 28 October 2023
#NameMatches
1Estonia Mihkel Aksalu221
2Finland Mehmet Hetemaj207
3Finland Johannes Laaksonen200
4Wales Richie Dorman168
5Cameroon Ariel Ngueukam133
6Finland Matej Hradecky131
7Finland Timo Tahvanainen128
8Finland Ville Tikkanen124
9Finland Toni Lehtinen118
10Ukraine Denys Oliynyk116

Club captains

Name Nat Period
Juha-Pekka Salminen[45] Finland 2008
Petri Niemi[46] Finland 2009
Ville Ylinen[47] Finland 2010
Chris Cleaver[48] England 2011–2013
Pavle Milosavljević[49] Serbia 2014–2015
Mihkel Aksalu[50] Estonia 2016–2018
Mehmet Hetemaj[51] Finland 2019–2022
Matej Hradecky[52] Finland 2023

Supporters player of the year

[53]

Name Nat Period
Jani Asuintupa Finland 2008
Ville Pajula Finland 2009
Ville Pajula Finland 2010
Aki Sipilä Finland 2011
Patrik Lomski Finland 2012
Pavle Milosavljević Serbia 2013
Cedric Gogoua Ivory Coast 2014
Mihkel Aksalu Estonia 2015
Roope Riski Finland 2016
Mehmet Hetemaj Finland 2017
Johannes Laaksonen Finland 2018
Denys Oliynyk Ukraine 2019
Emmanuel Ledesma Argentina 2020
Ville Tikkanen Finland 2021
Jake Jervis England 2022
Ville Tikkanen Finland 2023

SJK All Stars

In April 2020, SJK fans participated in a fan vote selecting their 11 favourite SJK players from the 2014-2019-seasons.[54]

NamePosNatYearsGamesGoalsLeague
games		League
goals
Mihkel AksaluGKEstonia2013–201922101580
Richie DormanRBWales2012–20181687954
Pavle MilosavljevićCBSerbia2013–2015771381
Cedric GogouaCBIvory Coast2014–2015593523
Timo TahvanainenLBFinland2013–20171284792
Johannes LaaksonenCMFinland2013–20182001814114
Mehmet HetemajCMFinland2015–2002214214
Denys OliynykCMUkraine2018–2022116299423
Ariel NgueukamRWCameroon2015–2016
2020–2021		1333610828
Roope RiskiCFFinland2015–201658344625
Billy IonsLWEngland2016–202074196417

Managers

References

  1. ↑ TP-Seinäjoki. "Kaupunkijoukkueasia hyväksyttiin". Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  2. ↑ Ilkka. "Sepsi-78:lle ja TP-Seinäjoelle yhteinen edustusjoukkue". Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  3. ↑ SJK (26 January 2008). "Pete ehti ensimmäisenä". Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  4. ↑ TP-Seinäjoki. "Sepsi ja TP yhdistävät edustusjoukkueensa". Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  5. ↑ Yhdistysrekisteri. "Yhdistysrekisteri". Retrieved 30 April 2008.
  6. ↑ Yle.fi (24 September 2013). "AC Kajaani peruu SJK-valituksensa". Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  7. ↑ Yle Urheilu (29 March 2014). "Nousijajoukkue valloitti Liigacupin Pohjanmaan derbyssä". Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Urheilumuseo.fi. "Veikkausliigan verkkonäyttely: Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho (SJK)". Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  9. ↑ hs.fi. "Mäkäräisen nousu sykähdyttävin urheiluhetki, Petteri Piironen vuoden valmentaja – lue tästä, ketkä kaikki palkittiin Urheilugaalassa". Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. ↑ yle.fi (24 September 2016). "SJK kukisti HJK:n Suomen Cupin finaalissa – Hetemaj ratkaisi rankkarikisan". Archived from the original on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  11. ↑ SJK. "Simo Valakari on vapautettu SJK:n päävalmentajavastuusta". Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  12. ↑ "Kommentti: José Manuel Roca on SJK:n kolmas valmentaja tänä vuonna". Archived from the original on 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  13. ↑ Brian Page ja Toni Lehtinen vetavat kauden loppuun. Archived 2019-08-25 at the Wayback Machine SJK
  14. ↑ Suomen cup-finaali-2017. Archived 2017-12-07 at the Wayback Machine Palloliitto
  15. ↑ Tommi Kautonen SJK:n päävalmentaja kaudesta 2018. Archived 2018-08-08 at the Wayback Machine SJK
  16. ↑ Sjk.fi (22 May 2018). "Alexei Eremenko sr. korvaa Tommi Kautosen". Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  17. ↑ Sjk.fi (25 January 2019). "Tervetuloa Sergei Eremenko". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  18. ↑ Sjk.fi (31 January 2019). "Tervetuloa Kerhoon Mosa". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  19. ↑ Sjk.fi (22 February 2019). "Cup-taival päättyi kotitasuriin". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  20. ↑ Sjk.fi (6 April 2019). "Veikkausliiga käyntiin komeasti voitolla". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  21. ↑ Sjk.fi. "SJK nousi voitolla Veikkausliigan kärkeen". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  22. ↑ Sjk.fi (16 August 2019). "SJK:n ja Alexei Eremenkon tiet erkanevat". Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  23. ↑ Sjk.fi (23 October 2019). "Jani Honkavaara on SJK:n uusi päävalmentaja". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  24. ↑ Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho. "Edustus". Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  25. ↑ Sjk.fi (14 February 2020). "Niukka tappio Suomen mestarin kotihallissa". Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  26. ↑ Sjk.fi (July 2020). "Kausi käyntiin voitolla OmaSP Stadionilla". Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  27. ↑ Sjk.fi (22 July 2020). "Rikkonainen ottelu päättyi viime sekuntien tappioon". Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  28. ↑ Sjk.fi (19 August 2020). "SJK:n hyökkäys vahvistuu kahdella pelaajalla". Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  29. ↑ "Kausi päättyi dramaattiseen voittoon Rovaniemellä". 4 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  30. ↑ "Ghanalainen Vision FC SJK:n yhteistyöseuraksi". 6 March 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Tilastot ja ennätykset" (in Finnish). Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "Design: Seinäjoki Stadion – StadiumDB.com". stadiumdb.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  33. ↑ "SJK". sjk.fi. SJK. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  34. ↑ "SJK Seinäjoki Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  35. ↑ "SJK". sjk.fi. SJK. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  36. ↑ "SJK valitsi kapteenistonsa". 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  37. ↑ Katsaus pelaajasopimustilanteeseen, sjk
  38. ↑ "Valmentajat" (in Finnish). SJK. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  39. ↑ "Joaquín Gómez jatkaa uraansa toisaalla". 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  40. ↑ "Akatemia valmistautuu miesten Ykköseen ja nuorten SM-karsintaan". 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  41. ↑ https://sjk.fi/uutiset/stevie-grieve-ottaa-vastuun-edustusjoukkueen-valmennuksesta/
  42. ↑ https://sjk.fi/uutiset/seinajoen-jalkapallokerhon-paavalmentaja-kaudella-2024-on-toni-lehtinen/
  43. ↑ "Kontakti" (in Finnish). SJK. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  44. ↑ https://sjk.fi/uutiset/stevie-grieve-ottaa-vastuun-edustusjoukkueen-valmennuksesta/
  45. ↑ "Pavlesta SJK kapteeni". 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  46. ↑ "Pavlesta SJK kapteeni". 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  47. ↑ "Ylinen kipparoi Kerhoa". 3 April 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  48. ↑ "Virallisesti kapteeni". 7 April 2011. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  49. ↑ "Pavlesta SJK kapteeni". 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  50. ↑ "SJK:n kauden 2016 kapteenisto selvillä". 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  51. ↑ "Hetemaj on SJK:n kapteeni kaudella 2019". 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  52. ↑ "SJK valitsi kapteenistonsa". 28 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  53. ↑ "Kloppien kannun sai Ville Tikkanen". 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  54. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "SJK XI – Veikkausliiga 2014–2019". YouTube.
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