GBK Kokkola

Gamlakarleby Bollklubb is a Finnish football club from Kokkola (Gamlakarleby in Swedish). It currently plays in the Finnish Second Division (Kakkonen), which is the third-highest level in Finnish football. GBK play their home games at the Keskuskenttä in Kokkola, which has the capacity to accommodate around 3,000 people.

Gamlakarleby Bollklubb (GBK)
Full nameGamlakarleby Bollklubb
Nickname(s)GBK
Founded1924
GroundKokkolan keskuskenttä,
Kokkola
Capacity3,000
ChairmanHans-Erik Sund
ManagerChris Corcoran
LeagueKakkonen
2013Kakkonen Group C – 5th

GBK is a bilingual club that organises its activities in both Finnish and Swedish.

Club history

Year 1920 IV (Idrottens vänner) and GUIK (Gamlakarleby Ungdomsförenings Idrottsklubb) joined their teams and the new club Gamlakarleby Idrottsförenig (GIF) was founded.

Year 1921 the sponsor of GIF, August Kyntzell, had visited England and seen Stoke City playing in their red and white striped dress. Kyntzell became fond of the costumes and decided that his team (GIF and later GBK) would play in the same colours. In the summer of 1921 GIF appeared in red and white striped costumes.

19 February 1924 GIF changed its name to GBK, and it is therefore one of Finland's oldest football clubs. GBK's activity is currently focused on football, but the club has also played ice hockey and bandy until the 1950s. The ice hockey club Kokkolan Hermes, (now Hermes HT) was formed in 1953, when GBK and KPV ice hockey sections amalgamated.

The club has a long tradition and has played 5 seasons in the Finnish Championship in 1959, 1964–66 and 1976. They have also played 39 seasons at the second tier and 15 seasons in the third tier. In recent years GBK have played in the Ykkönen (First Division) and Kakkonen (Second Division). The club secured promotion to the Ykkönen in September 2006 but their return to the second tier was short-lived as they were relegated at the end of the 2007 season. Since 2008 they have been playing in the Kakkonen.[1]

In 2000 GBK became the first women's beach soccer champion in Finland and the following year became a new championship team .

Divisional Movements since 1930

Top Level (5 seasons): 1959, 1964–66, 1976
Second Level (39 seasons): 1938–39, 1945-46/47, 1948–49, 1951–58, 1960–63, 1967–75, 1977–80, 1995–97, 2002–04, 2007
Third Level (15 seasons): 1981, 1984–85, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1998–2001, 2005–06, 2008– [2]

Season to season

Season to Season
Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements
1936 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) West Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)
1937 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) West Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) Promoted
1938 Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-Sarja (Second Division) West League, Northern Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1939 Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-Sarja (Second Division) West League, Group 4 Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1940-41 Tier 3 C-Sarja (Third Division) Group 4 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
1945 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st
1945-46 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1946-47 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th Relegated
1947-48 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Central Ostrobothnia Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promotion Playoff - Promoted
1948 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1949 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th Relegated
1950 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) North Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promotion Group West 2nd - Promoted
1951 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1952 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1953 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1954 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th
1955 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1956 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1957 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1958 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1959 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th Relegated
1960 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1961 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd
1962 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1963 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1964 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th
1965 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1966 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegated
1967 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th
1968 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1969 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1970 Tier 2 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th
1971 Tier 2 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd
1972 Tier 2 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd Qualifyed to new I Divisioona
1973 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1974 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1975 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted
1976 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegated
1977 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th
1978 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th
1979 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th Relegation Group 1st
1980 Tier 2 I divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegation Group 8th - Relegated
1981 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated
1982 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd Promoion Playoff
1983 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promotion Playoff - Promoted
1984 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
1985 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated
1986 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1987 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1988 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
1989 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
1990 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
1991 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11th Relegated
1992 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 8 Vaasa & Keskipohjanmaa (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
1993 Tier 3 II divisioona (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1994 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
1995 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th
1996 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1997 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th Relegation Group 4th, Relegated
1998 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1999 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
2000 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2001 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promoted
2002 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd Relegation Group 3rd
2003 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11th
2004 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 14th Relegated
2005 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
2006 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
2007 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 13th Relegated
2008 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2009 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th
2010 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2011 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2012 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2013 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
2014 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2015 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
2016 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2017 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2018 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promotion Playoff
2019 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group C Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th

[3]

Kokkola Cup

The football tournament known as the Kokkola Cup is organised by GBK and is held in mid-July each year. This four-day tournament attracts about 300 teams to Kokkola and is recognised as Finland's second biggest football tournament after the Helsinki Cup.

The Kokkola Cup was initiated in 1981 by Lars-Erik Stenfors and the tournament has grown from 50 teams to 330 teams at its peak. Current professional players who have participated in the Kokkola Cup include Andy Marshall, Jimmy Nielsen, Craig Bellamy, Adam Drury, Danny Mills, Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington.

2014 season

GBK are competing in Group C (Lohko C) of the Kakkonen administered by the Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto). In 2013 the team finished in fifth place in Group C of the Kakkonen.

GBK II are participating in the Nelonen section administered by the Keski-Pohjanmaa SPL.

GBK III are competing in Section B (Lohko B) of the Kutonen administered by the Keski-Pohjanmaa SPL.

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  FIN Olli Nylund
2 MF  FIN Jussi Roiko
3 MF  USA Lawrence Smith
4 MF  FIN Petteri Jokihaara
5 DF  POL Brela Mateusz
6 DF  USA Chris Corcoran
7 FW  FIN Benjamin Storbacka
8 MF  FIN Niko Tukeva
9 FW  SWE David Carlsson
11 MF  FIN Miika Hohenthal
12 GK  FIN Jonas Holm
13 FW  FIN Deng Malwal
14 MF  FIN Tom Åstrand
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF  FIN Paul Adour
16 MF  FIN Juho Alasuutari
17 DF  FIN Tatu Mäki
18 FW  FIN Tobias Wentin
19 MF  FIN Kim Ågren
20 MF  FIN Alfred Söderman
21 MF  FIN Aaro Hedman
22 FW  FIN Atte Henttu
23 FW  FIN Linus Sandell
24 DF  FIN Ville Jylhä
25 DF  FIN Tomi Björklund
27 MF  FIN Angilo Lado
30 GK  FIN Oskari Wikström

References and sources

Footnotes

  1. "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF Archives. 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  2. "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF Archives. 2010. Retrieved 03.04.2010. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  3. http://www.finlandfootball.net/
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.