# IFK Mariehamn

IFK Mariehamn is a Finnish football club based in Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands. It plays in the Finnish Premier Division (Veikkausliiga), winning their first title in 2016. The club is managed by Gary Williams, and it plays its home matches at Wiklöf Holding Arena.

## History

While IFK Mariehamn was formed in 1919, the sports club did not have a football department until the mid-1930s. Initially the team participated primarily in local tournaments on Åland, only sporadically playing other Finnish or Swedish teams. The team has participated in the Finnish football leagues since 1945.
Until the 1970s, IFK Mariehamn played primarily in the Finnish football divisions 3 and 4. The club reached a peak in 1975 and 1976, when the club first advanced to division 2 and then reached division 1 (Ykkönen) the following year. After two seasons in division 1, IFK Mariehamn was relegated to division 2, where it would remain up until the 2000s, except for a few seasons in division 3 during the early 1990s.
In 2003, IFK Mariehamn returned to division 1. After only one season in division 1, the club advanced, for the first time in its history to the premier division of Finnish football, the Veikkausliiga, for the 2005 season following qualifying the October 2004 games against FC Jazz. In its first season in the Veikkausliiga, IFK Mariehamn finished 12th out of 14 teams. In 2006, the club finished in 5th place and the year after 6th after an impressive run of unbeaten matches during the autumn of 2007.
In addition to playing in the Veikkausliiga, IFK Mariehamn participates in local Åland tournaments, having won the Åland cup 40 times and the Åland football championships 42 times. In recent years, the club has been the most dominant football team on Åland, having in 2008 won its 11th and 15th straight titles in these two events, respectively.
In 2009, IFK Mariehamn started its first season as a fully professional football club. In 2015, the team won the Finnish Cup for the first time.
On 23 October 2016, IFK Mariehamn defeated FC Ilves 2–1 to secure the first ever Veikkausliiga Championship for the island club. In the 2017–18 season, IFK played its first-ever two-match UEFA Champions League qualification, where it was knocked out by Poland's champion Legia Warsaw.

### Stadium

IFK Mariehamn plays its home matches at the Wiklöf Holding Arena.

### Domestic history

* 1945–1971: Kolmonen and Nelonen (two seasons)
* 1972: Kakkonen
* 1973–1975: Kolmonen
* 1976: Kakkonen
* 1977–1978: Ykkönen
* 1979–1990: Kakkonen
* 1991–1992: Kolmonen
* 1993–2003: Kakkonen
* 2004: Ykkönen
* 2005–present: Veikkausliiga (Premier League)
Season to Season :
| Season | Level | Division | Section | Administration | Position | Movements |
| 1945 | Tier 1 | Cup-Competition | Cup format | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | Round of 32 | |
| 1945-46 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | South-West Finland Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1946-47 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | South-West Finland Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1947-48 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | South-West Finland Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1948 | Tier 4 | Piirinsarja (District League) | Åland Islands | | | Promotion Playoff |
| 1949 | Tier 4 | Piirinsarja (District League) | Åland Islands | | | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1950 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | South Group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1951 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | West Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | Relegated |
| 1952 | Tier 4 | Piirinsarja (District League) | Åland Islands | | | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1953 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | West Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1954 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | West Group II | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 9th | Relegated |
| 1955-1958 | | District leagues | | | | |
| 1959 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 1958 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 6 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1959 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 1960 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1961 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 2 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1962 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 1 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1963 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 2 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1964 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | Relegated |
| 1965 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 5 Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1966 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 4 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1967 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 2nd | |
| 1968 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1969 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 3 Satakunta, Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1970 | Tier 3 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 Satakunta, Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1971 | Tier 3 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 Turku & Åland Islands | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1972 | Tier 2 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | Due to new league system relegated 2 levels |
| 1973 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 3rd | |
| 1974 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 2nd | |
| 1975 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1976 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1977 | Tier 2 | I Divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 1978 | Tier 2 | I Divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | Relegated |
| 1979 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 1980 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1981 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 1982 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 1983 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | Relegated |
| 1984 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 1st | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1985 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1986 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 11th | Relegated |
| 1987 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 2nd | |
| 1988 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 1st | Promotion rematch - Promoted |
| 1989 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1990 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | Relegated |
| 1991 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 2nd | |
| 1992 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 3 | Turku & Åland Islands District (SPL Turku) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1993 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1994 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1995 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 9th | |
| 1996 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 1997 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1998 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 1999 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 2nd | |
| 2000 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2001 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2002 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2003 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 2nd | Play-offs – Promoted |
| 2004 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 2nd | Play-offs – Promoted |
| 2005 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | |
| 2006 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2007 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2008 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | |
| 2009 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2010 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 12th | |
| 2011 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 2012 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2013 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2014 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2015 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2016 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Champions |
| 2017 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2018 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | |
| 2019 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2020 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 9th | |
| 2021 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | |
| 2022 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | |
| 2023 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 11th | Relegation play-offs |
| 2024 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga (Premier League) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | |

### European history

| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
| 2013–14 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | Inter Baku | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| 2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | Odds BK | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| 2017–18 | UEFA Champions League | 2QR | Legia Warsaw | 0–3 | 0–6 | 0–9 |

#### Notes

* 1QR: First qualifying round
* 2QR: Second qualifying round

## Current squad

    As of 31 January 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 |
| 1 | GK | FIN | Johannes Viitala (on loan from Ilves) |
| 2 | MF | FIN | Noah Nurmi |
| 4 | DF | SWE | Pontus Lindgren |
| 5 | DF | BEL | Ardy Mfundu |
| 6 | MF | FIN | Niilo Kujasalo |
| 8 | MF | FIN | Sebastian Dahlström |
| 9 | FW | AXL | Wille Nuñez |
| 10 | FW | CPV | Hugo Cardoso |
| 11 | FW | ENG | Jayden Reid |
| 14 | MF | AXL | Michael Fonsell |
| 15 | FW | ZIM | Admiral Muskwe |
| 16 | MF | FIN | Anttoni Huttunen |
| 18 | FW | CIV | Muhamed Olawale |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 20 | MF | FIN | Emmanuel Patut |
| 21 | FW | AXL | Arvid Lundberg |
| 22 | DF | FIN | Matias Kivikko (on loan from Ilves) |
| 26 | MF | AXL | Milton Jansson |
| 28 | DF | FIN | Jiri Nissinen |
| 29 | DF | FIN | Patrik Raitanen |
| 30 | MF | NGA | Emmanuel Okereke |
| 32 | GK | FIN | Matias Riikonen |
| 33 | DF | FIN | Daniel Enqvist |
| 43 | MF | AXL | Leo Andersson |
| — | GK | SWE | Kevin Lund |
| — | MF | NED | Jelle van der Heyden |
| — | MF | NGA | Cody David |

### 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 |

### Youth players

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 |
| — | DF | FIN | Jimmi Bruhn |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | FIN | Elia Hagström |

## Former players

All following players who have represented IFK Mariehamn have been capped at least once by their respective national team's first squad.
| Ivan Yagan Charlie Trafford Mason Trafford Lembit Rajala Andreas Vaikla Paulus Arajuuri Sebastian Dahlström Peter Enckelman Anders Eriksson Petteri Forsell Albin Granlund | Mikael Granskog Kristian Kojola Johannes Laaksonen Pekka Lagerblom Toni Lehtinen Jani Lyyski Niilo Mäenpää Juho Mäkelä Mikko Paatelainen Akseli Pelvas Daniel Sjölund | Sebastian Strandvall Mikko Sumusalo Kalle Taimi Walter Viitala Saku Ylätupa Mohammed Abubakari Yussif Chibsah Baba Mensah Alanzo Adlam Dever Orgill Anthony Dafaa | Amos Ekhalie Willis Ochieng Kris Bright Mamane Amadou Sabo John Owoeri Amin Nazari Abdulfattah Asiri Emile Paul Tendeng Samuel Barlay Clive Hachilensa Yann Fillion |

## Management and boardroom
### Management

As of 20 January 2021
| Name | Role |
| Gary Williams | Head coach |
| Daniel Sjölund | Assistant coach |
| Johan Sundman | Goalkeeping coach |
| Philip Garvö | Fitness Coach |
| Anton Koli | Fitness Coach |
| Malin Ringbom | Doctor |
| Daniel Norrmén | Reserve coach |

#### Managerial history

* Pekka Lyyski (2003–2015)
* Kari Virtanen (2016)
* Peter Lundberg (2016–2019)
* Lukas Syberyjski (2020–2021)
* Daniel Norrmén (2021–2023)
* Jimmy Wargh (2023)
* Bruno Romão (2024)
* Gary Williams (2024-)

### Boardroom

As of 11 April 2017
| Name | Role |
| Dan Mikkola | Chairman |
| Jimmy Wargh | CEO & Club director |

## Honours

* Veikkausliiga
** Champions: 2016
* Finnish Cup
** Winners: 2015
** Runners-up: 2019

## MIFK Ishockey

MIFK Ishockey is the ice hockey section of IFK Mariehamn. MIFK men's team plays in the Swedish "HockeyFyran", the fifth division of Swedish hockey. MIFK Ishockey has also played in the Finnish III-divisioona.
IFK Mariehamn plays its home games in the Islandia ice rink in Mariehamn. Islandia's capacity is 800. The hockey team was founded in 1993.
MIFK won their division in HockeyFyran with 33 points and advanced to the HockeyTrean qualifiers for the 2023/24 season. MIFK's head coach is Kenneth Westerback, assistant coaches are Kim Schauman and Robert Andersson, the GM is André Portin and the team captain is Pontus Nylén.
IFK Mariehamn U17 plays in the Finnish U17 II-divisioona.
MIFK Ishockey Dam is the women's ice hockey team founded in 2017. The team plays in the Swedish Division 2, but has played in the Finnish Suomi-sarja.