# Mikkelin Palloilijat

Mikkelin Palloilijat (or MP) is a Finnish professional football club, based in Mikkeli, that competes in the Ykkösliiga, the new second-tier in Finnish football league system. The club was founded in 1929 and also included volleyball, bandy and ice hockey sections.

## History

In 1998, MP merged with Mikkelin Kissat to form FC Mikkeli. Due to financial difficulties, this union was dissolved in 2001 and the two clubs returned to manage individually. It played in the Finnish First Division (Ykkönen) from 2004 to 2006 but was relegated to Kakkonen at the end of the season. The club gained promotion to Ykkönen by winning the Group A of Kakkonen 2009 but was immediately relegated back to Kakkonen in 2010. The club's manager is Juha Pasoja, and it plays its home matches at Mikkelin Urheilupuisto. In 2015, they got promoted to the Ykkönen again.
Ice hockey departments of MP and local rivals MiPK merged in 1970, creating new club Jukurit. Jukurit has since then been quite successful in Finnish amateur levels of ice hockey. However, the only medal in the Finnish championship is still won by MP, a bronze in A-juniors in the year 1961.
Bandy department of MP was disbanded in 1977. After that the colours of Mikkeli on bandy fields have been represented by Mikkelin Kampparit. Kampparit was formed in 1972.
MP was a pioneer of women's football in Finland, forming one of the first ladies team. The spot in Kansallinen Liiga was moved from MP to Porrassalmen Urheilijat-62 in 1992.

## Season to season

Season to Season :
| Season | Level | Division | Section | Administration | Position | Movements |
| 1930 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | ? | |
| 1931 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | 2nd | |
| 1932 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | 4th | |
| 1933 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | 2nd | |
| 1934 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | 3rd | |
| 1935 | Tier 3 | Piirisarja (Second Division) | | Savo (SPL Savo) | 5th | |
| 1936 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Savo (SPL Savo) | ? | |
| 1937 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Savo (SPL Savo) | ? | |
| 1938 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Savo (SPL Savo) | ? | Play-offs |
| 1939 | Tier 2 | Itä-Länsi Sarja (First Division) | East series north group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | |
| 1940–41 | | | | | | Did not participate |
| 1943–44 | | | | | | Did not participate |
| 1945–46 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | Kymenlaakso North | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 1946–47 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | Kymenlaakso North | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | |
| 1947–48 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | Kymenlaakso North | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Play-offs |
| 1948 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 5th | |
| 1949 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | Relegated |
| 1950 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Savo (SPL Savo) | ? | Play-offs, promoted |
| 1951 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 1952 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 5th | |
| 1953 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | Relegated |
| 1954 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Saimaa (SPL Saimaa) | ? | |
| 1955 | Tier 4 | Piirisarja (Third Division) | ? | Saimaa (SPL Saimaa) | ? | Play-offs, promoted |
| 1956 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group II | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | |
| 1957 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | East group I | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | |
| 1958 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | Group 6 | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | |
| 1959 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Second Division) | Group 4 | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1960 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | |
| 1961 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 5th | |
| 1962 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 1963 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 4th | |
| 1964 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 1965 | Tier 2 | Suomensarja (First Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1966 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 4th | |
| 1967 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 10th | |
| 1968 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 8th | |
| 1969 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 5th | |
| 1970 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 2nd | |
| 1971 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 5th | |
| 1972 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 2nd | |
| 1973 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 7th | |
| 1974 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 10th | |
| 1975 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 9th | |
| 1976 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 6th | |
| 1977 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 11th | Relegated |
| 1978 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 4th | |
| 1979 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promotion Group 6th |
| 1980 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promotion Group 3rd, promoted |
| 1981 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 11th | Relegation Group 6th, relegated |
| 1982 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | Promotion Group 5th |
| 1983 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promotion Group 2nd, promoted |
| 1984 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 12th | Relegated |
| 1985 | Tier 2 | I divisioona (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1986 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 7th | |
| 1987 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 7th | |
| 1988 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 9th | Relegation Group 3rd |
| 1989 | Tier 1 | Mestaruussarja | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 9th | Relegation Group 4th |
| 1990 | Tier 1 | Futisliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 3rd | Play-offs |
| 1991 | Tier 1 | Futisliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 2nd | |
| 1992 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 10th | |
| 1993 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 9th | Relegation Group 1st |
| 1994 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 11th | |
| 1995 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 11th | Relegation play-off |
| 1996 | Tier 1 | Veikkausliiga | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto | 12th | Relegated |
| 1997 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 4th | Promotion Group 7th |
| 1998 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | North Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | Relegation Group 1st |
| 1999 | | | | | | did not participate |
| 2000 | | | | | | did not participate |
| 2001 | | | | | | did not participate |
| 2002 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | |
| 2003 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | Play-offs, promoted |
| 2004 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 7th | |
| 2005 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 9th | |
| 2006 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 13th | Relegated |
| 2007 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 2008 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 6th | |
| 2009 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 2010 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 14th | Relegated |
| 2011 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 2012 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 2013 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | |
| 2014 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 2nd | Promoted |
| 2015 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 9th | Relegated |
| 2016 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 3rd | |
| 2017 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 9th | |
| 2018 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 7th | |
| 2019 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 2020 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 7th | |

## Current squad

    As of 3 August 2024
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 | Aleksi Honka-Hallila |
| 2 | DF | FIN | Benjamin Urgenc |
| 3 | DF | FIN | Arvi Liljaniemi |
| 4 | MF | FIN | Iiro Äijö |
| 5 | DF | FIN | Olli Kilpelainen |
| 6 | MF | FIN | Jan Heinonen |
| 7 | MF | FIN | Niila Forsell |
| 8 | MF | FIN | Rasmus Lehtonen |
| 9 | FW | FIN | Vilho Huovila (on loan from Lahti) |
| 10 | FW | FIN | Ajack Deng |
| 11 | MF | FIN | Benjamin Dahlström |
| 12 | DF | FIN | Ville Laiho |
| 13 | MF | FIN | Noah Levis |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 14 | MF | FIN | Jesse Jäppinen |
| 15 | DF | FIN | Joel Laitinen |
| 17 | MF | FIN | Valtteri Nikulainen |
| 18 | MF | FIN | Ossi Torniainen |
| 19 | FW | FIN | Aapo Hyppönen (on loan from KTP) |
| 20 | MF | FIN | Oliver Häyhänen |
| 22 | DF | FIN | Kasper Viramäki |
| 23 | FW | FIN | Eero Ylönen |
| 24 | DF | FIN | Jesse Kilpeläinen |
| 27 | MF | FIN | Veeti Määttä |
| 30 | GK | FIN | Timi Heikkinen |
| 44 | DF | FIN | Akim Sairinen |
| 45 | FW | FIN | Veikko Karttunen |

## Management and boardroom
### Management

    As of 21 February 2020
| Name | Role |
| Juha Pasoja | Head coach |
| Jorma Naakka | Coach |
| Ozeias Graciano | Coach |
| Janne Loukiainen | Coach |
| Mika Korpela | Team manager |
| Aki Lampinen | Kit manager |
| Hannu Paajanen | Doctor |
| Ilari Kuitunen | Doctor |
| Timo Kyttä | Physiotherapist |
| Janne Lindberg | Coaching coordinator |
| Ilkka Mäkelä | Club president |

## Notable former players

* Jussi Jääskeläinen
* Topi Keskinen
* Shefki Kuqi
* Eetu Muinonen