Mikkelin Palloilijat (or MP) is a Finnish professional football club, based in Mikkeli, that competes in the Ykkönen, the third 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 of MP
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 2021 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 2022 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th 2023 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd Promotion Playoff 2024 Tier 2 Ykkösliiga (League One) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated 2025 Tier 3 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 25 seasons in Veikkausliiga 25 seasons in Second Tier 32 seasons in Third Tier 6 seasons in Fourth Tier
SeasonLevelDivisionSectionAdministrationPositionMovements
1930Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)?
1931Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)2nd
1932Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)4th
1933Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)2nd
1934Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)3rd
1935Tier 3Piirisarja (Second Division)Savo (SPL Savo)5th
1936Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Savo (SPL Savo)?
1937Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Savo (SPL Savo)?
1938Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Savo (SPL Savo)?Play-offs
1939Tier 2Itä-Länsi Sarja (First Division)East series north groupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th
1940–41Did not participate
1943–44Did not participate
1945–46Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)Kymenlaakso NorthFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
1946–47Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)Kymenlaakso NorthFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd
1947–48Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)Kymenlaakso NorthFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPlay-offs
1948Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th
1949Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6thRelegated
1950Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Savo (SPL Savo)?Play-offs, promoted
1951Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group BFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
1952Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th
1953Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group BFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6thRelegated
1954Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Saimaa (SPL Saimaa)?
1955Tier 4Piirisarja (Third Division)?Saimaa (SPL Saimaa)?Play-offs, promoted
1956Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group IIFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th
1957Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)East group IFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th
1958Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)Group 6Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd
1959Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Second Division)Group 4Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted
1960Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th
1961Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th
1962Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
1963Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)4th
1964Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
1965Tier 2Suomensarja (First Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted
1966Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto4th
1967Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto10th
1968Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto8th
1969Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto5th
1970Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto2nd
1971Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto5th
1972Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto2nd
1973Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto7th
1974Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto10th
1975Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto9th
1976Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto6th
1977Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto11thRelegated
1978Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)4th
1979Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromotion Group 6th
1980Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromotion Group 3rd, promoted
1981Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto11thRelegation Group 6th, relegated
1982Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rdPromotion Group 5th
1983Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromotion Group 2nd, promoted
1984Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto12thRelegated
1985Tier 2I divisioona (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted
1986Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto7th
1987Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto7th
1988Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto9thRelegation Group 3rd
1989Tier 1MestaruussarjaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto9thRelegation Group 4th
1990Tier 1FutisliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto3rdPlay-offs
1991Tier 1FutisliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto2nd
1992Tier 1VeikkausliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto10th
1993Tier 1VeikkausliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto9thRelegation Group 1st
1994Tier 1VeikkausliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto11th
1995Tier 1VeikkausliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto11thRelegation play-off
1996Tier 1VeikkausliigaFinnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto12thRelegated
1997Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)4thPromotion Group 7th
1998Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6thRelegation Group 1st
1999did not participate
2000did not participate
2001did not participate
2002Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd
2003Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2ndPlay-offs, promoted
2004Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)7th
2005Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)9th
2006Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)13thRelegated
2007Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
2008Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th
2009Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted
2010Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)14thRelegated
2011Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
2012Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
2013Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd
2014Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2ndPromoted
2015Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)9thRelegated
2016Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd
2017Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)9th
2018Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)7th
2019Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted
2020Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)7th
2021Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)9th
2022Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)8th
2023Tier 2Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rdPromotion Playoff
2024Tier 2Ykkösliiga (League One)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)10thRelegated
2025Tier 3Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)

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.NationPlayer
No. Pos. Nation Player 5 DF FIN Olli Kilpelainen 7 MF FIN Niila Forsell 8 MF FIN Rasmus Lehtonen 10 FW FIN Ajack Deng 12 DF FIN Ville Laiho 14 MF FIN Jesse Jäppinen 15 DF FIN Joel Laitinen 17 MF FIN Valtteri Nikulainen 18 MF FIN Ossi TorniainenNo. Pos. Nation Player 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 45 FW FIN Veikko Karttunen — FW GHA Torfiq Ali-Abubakar — GK FIN Samu Volotinen — MF FIN Akon Kuek (on loan from VPS)
5DFFINOlli Kilpelainen
7MFFINNiila Forsell
8MFFINRasmus Lehtonen
10FWFINAjack Deng
12DFFINVille Laiho
14MFFINJesse Jäppinen
15DFFINJoel Laitinen
17MFFINValtteri Nikulainen
18MFFINOssi Torniainen
No.Pos.NationPlayer
20MFFINOliver Häyhänen
22DFFINKasper Viramäki
23FWFINEero Ylönen
24DFFINJesse Kilpeläinen
27MFFINVeeti Määttä
30GKFINTimi Heikkinen
45FWFINVeikko Karttunen
—FWGHATorfiq Ali-Abubakar
—GKFINSamu Volotinen
—MFFINAkon Kuek (on loan from VPS)

Management and boardroom

Management

As of 21 February 2020

NameRole
Name Role Senegal Issa Thiaw Head coach Finland Jorma Naakka Coach Brazil Ozeias Graciano Coach Finland Janne Loukiainen Coach Finland Mika Korpela Team manager Finland Aki Lampinen Kit manager Finland Hannu Paajanen Doctor Finland Ilari Kuitunen Doctor Finland Timo Kyttä Physiotherapist Finland Janne Lindberg Coaching coordinator Finland Ilkka Mäkelä Club president
Senegal Issa ThiawHead coach
Finland Jorma NaakkaCoach
Brazil Ozeias GracianoCoach
Finland Janne LoukiainenCoach
Finland Mika KorpelaTeam manager
Finland Aki LampinenKit manager
Finland Hannu PaajanenDoctor
Finland Ilari KuitunenDoctor
Finland Timo KyttäPhysiotherapist
Finland Janne LindbergCoaching coordinator
Finland Ilkka MäkeläClub president

Notable former players

External links