FinnPa
Encyclopedia
Finnairin Palloilijat, or FinnPa as the club is more commonly known as, was a Finnish
association football club established in 1965. The club was based in Helsinki and it operated from 1965 to 1998.
FinnPa was founded by staff of the Finnish national airline
Aero
as "Aeron Pallo". When the company changed its name to Finnair
, the club was also renamed Finnairin Palloilijat (Ball players of Finnair).
In 1976 the club's men's team was promoted to the Second Division
, the third highest level of football in Finland. It remained at the three highest levels for the rest of the club's existence with the absolute peak being the club's promotion to the Premier Division
in 1993. In 1997 the club finished at third place in the league table.
1998 became the club's last season of existence when FinnPa was relegated to the First Division
after losing to Tampereen Pallo-Veikot
in the relegation play offs. Finnair
wasn't willing to support the club financially anymore, so it folded.
FinnPa played a total of six seasons at the highest level of football in Finland.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
association football club established in 1965. The club was based in Helsinki and it operated from 1965 to 1998.
FinnPa was founded by staff of the Finnish national airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
Aero
Aero
Aero is a Greek prefix relating to flight, and air. It British English it is used as an adjective related to flight , as in "aero engine"Aero may also refer to:-In aeronautics:...
as "Aeron Pallo". When the company changed its name to Finnair
Finnair
Finnair Plc is the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland, with its headquarters on the grounds of Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, Finland, and its main hub at Helsinki Airport. Finnair and its subsidiaries dominate both the domestic and international air travel markets in Finland. The largest...
, the club was also renamed Finnairin Palloilijat (Ball players of Finnair).
In 1976 the club's men's team was promoted to the Second Division
Kakkonen
Kakkonen is the third tier of the Finnish football league system.-League structure:Kakkonen is divided to three groups of 14 clubs. A club plays each of the others in the same group twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents. Clubs gain three points for a win, one for a...
, the third highest level of football in Finland. It remained at the three highest levels for the rest of the club's existence with the absolute peak being the club's promotion to the Premier Division
Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 12 clubs of the country. Veikkausliiga is currently ranked as the 28th best league in Europe. Its main sponsor is the Finnish national betting agency Veikkaus, hence the league's name...
in 1993. In 1997 the club finished at third place in the league table.
1998 became the club's last season of existence when FinnPa was relegated to the First Division
Ykkönen
Ykkönen is the second highest level of the Finnish football league system , although it is the highest league managed by the Football Association of Finland.-Competition:...
after losing to Tampereen Pallo-Veikot
Tampereen Pallo-Veikot
Tampereen Pallo-Veikot or TPV is a Finnish football club, based in Tampere. The club plays in the Kakkonen, the third highest level of football in Finland. It is the second largest football club in the Pirkanmaa region in terms of active members, with 1,600 members in 2005.-History:The club was...
in the relegation play offs. Finnair
Finnair
Finnair Plc is the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland, with its headquarters on the grounds of Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, Finland, and its main hub at Helsinki Airport. Finnair and its subsidiaries dominate both the domestic and international air travel markets in Finland. The largest...
wasn't willing to support the club financially anymore, so it folded.
FinnPa played a total of six seasons at the highest level of football in Finland.
Notable players
- Simo ValakariSimo ValakariSimo Johannes Valakari is a former Finnish footballer, who currently is youth coach of Käpylän Pallo.-Career:...
played 48 games for FinnPa scoring five goals between 1995 and 1996. In 1996 he joined Motherwell FC in the Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
- Ali DiaAli DiaAli Dia is a former professional Senegalese footballer who once played for the English FA Premier League club Southampton after falsely claiming to be a cousin of Liberian international George Weah.- Career :...
- the infamous imposter played five games for FinnPa in 1995.