# Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat

Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat (abbreviated as KTP) is a Finnish football club based in Kotka, and currently competing in Finland's top-tier, the 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.
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.
Since the start of 2022, a former KTP forward Niko Ikävalko is the sporting director of the club's first team.

## 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

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. In fall 2023 KTP started demolish the old wooden stand and replace it with a new modern seated stand. The renovation was completed at the beginning of 2024 season.

## Honours

| Honour | Number | Years |
| Veikkausliiga |||
| Champions | 2 | 1951, 1952 |
| Third place | 2 | 1947, 1964 |
| Ykkösliiga |||
| Champions | 1 | 2024 |
| 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 | | 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 |
| 2021 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | Relegated |
| 2022 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Champions, Promoted |
| 2023 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | Relegated |
| 2024 | Tier 2 | Ykkösliiga (League One) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Champions, Promoted |
| 2025 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | | |

## Current squad

    As of 18 February 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 2 | DF | FIN | Urho Huhtamäki |
| 5 | MF | CAN | Armaan Wilson |
| 7 | MF | FIN | Joni Mäkelä |
| 9 | FW | FIN | Aleksi Tarvonen |
| 10 | FW | FIN | Luca Weckström |
| 11 | FW | FIN | Enoch Banza |
| 14 | MF | USA | Constantine Edlund (on loan from Athens Kallithea) |
| 17 | DF | CMR | Tabi Manga |
| 21 | DF | FIN | Mikko Sumusalo |
| 24 | FW | GHA | Kwame Otu |
| 25 | GK | FIN | Kristian Varis |
| 26 | DF | FIN | Matias Paavola |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 33 | GK | UKR | Maksym Zhuk |
| — | MF | NOR | Marius Larsen |
| — | FW | SEN | Assan Seck |
| — | GK | FIN | Jiri Koski |
| — | DF | FIN | Juho Lehtiranta |
| — | MF | CMR | Franck Ellé Essouma |
| — | MF | FIN | Arttu Tulehmo (on loan from Ilves) |
| — | FW | AUS | Mitchell Glasson (on loan from Sydney FC) |
| — | MF | JPN | Atomu Tanaka |
| — | DF | FIN | Joona Toivio |
| — | MF | FIN | Petteri Forsell |

### On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |

## Management and boardroom
### Management

    As of 18 February 2025
| Name | Role |
| Jonas Nyholm | Head coach |
| Mikko Viitsalo | Assistant coach |
| Matias Lindfors | Assistant coach |
| Anton Bogdanov | Goalkeeping coach |
| Johannes Laaksonen | Fitness coach |
| Esa Vilkki | Team manager |
| Aki Jokela | Team manager |
| Toni Leinonen | Kit Manager |
| Otto Olkkonen | Physiotherapist |

### Boardroom

    As of 18 February 2025
| Name | Role |
| Jukka Mustonen | Chairman |
| Jan Walden | CEO |
| Jukka Vilkki | Club secretary |
| Niko Ikävalko | Sporting director |

## First team managers since 1980

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