| Full name | Helsingin Palloseura | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | HPS, Vihreät Jääkärit (Green Rangers) | |
| Founded | 1917 | |
| Ground | Pirkkolan nurmi Helsinki Finland |
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| Chairman | Hannu Ilvesniemi | |
| Manager | Jarkko Niinivaara | |
| League | Kolmonen | |
| 2009 | 9th - Kolmonen (Helsinki and Uusimaa) - Section 1 | |
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Helsingin Palloseura (HPS) (English: Helsinki Ball Game Club) is a sports club from Helsinki, Finland established in 1917. HPS has been active in several sports including Ice hockey, Football, Handball and Basketball. Historically, HPS is one of the most successful football teams in Finland, winning nine national championships during the 1920s and 1930s. The team is currently playing only in the fourth highest league, however. Famous HPS players have included William Kanerva, Aulis Koponen, Max Viinioksa, Kai Pahlman, Jyrki Heliskoski and Pertti Alaja.
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HPS Helsinki won the Finnish football championship (Mestaruussarja) 9 times and they also played in the European Cup, against Stade de Reims in 1958–59. Their one success in the Finnish Cup (Suomen Cup) was in 1962.
The first football match played by HPS in September 1918 against HIFK. The club won their first Finnish championship three years later in 1921. It also won the Mestaruussarja championship in 1922, 1926, 1927 and 1929. However, the club's golden age was in the 1930s, when the HPS won three championships over a four year period (1932, 1934, 1935).[2] Success at this time was also recognised by the large number of players receiving national recognition by representing the Finnish national side. In the 1940s success was in turn mixed with Finnish football having been disrupted by the war years. In 1940/41 HPS finished bottom of the Mestaruussarja and were relegated but were promoted back to the championship level in 1943/44.
They were relegated again in 1949 and did not compete in the Mestaruussarja again until 1956. They won the championship for the last time in 1957 and were most unfortunate a year later in 1958 when they finished equal on points with KuPS Kuopio to whom they then lost 1-0 in a championship play-off final. They maintained their place in the championship until 1964 when they were relegated and sadly that was the last time that this famous club competed at the highest level.[3]
There then followed a gradual downward spiral with HPS fluctuating between Ykkönen (First Division), Kakkonen (Second Division) and Kolmonen (Third Division). In 1997 HPS returned to the Kakkonen which culminated in them reaching the play-offs at the end of 1998 season when they drew 0-0 and 1-1 against FC HIFK. However they missed out on promotion on away goals. Disaster was soon to follow as in 1999 HPS abandoned their place in the Kakkonen because of economic difficulties and had no option but to reform in 2000 at the lowest level in the Seiska (Seventh Division). However in the last 10 years the club have seen 5 promotions and 1 relegation and they are now competing again in the Kolmonen.
HPS have played in Europe on two occasions, the first time being in the European Cup in the 1958-59 season and the second time being in the Cup Winners' Cup in the 1963-64 season.
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Score | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-59 | European Cup | Second round | Stade Reims | 0–4, v 0–3 | 0-7 | |
| 1963–64 | European Cup Winners' Cup | Preliminary round | ŠK Slovan Bratislava | 1–4, v 1–8 | 2-12 |
Top Level (26 seasons): 1930-40/41, 1945–49, 1956-64
Second Level (18 seasons): 1943/44, 1950–55, 1965–70, 1972, 1974–76, 1983
Third Level (12 seasons): 1973, 1977–82, 1984, 1988–89, 1997-98 [4]
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The club has a thriving youth section running a large number of teams with around 700 players. Junior coaching is seen as the key to creating a sound foundation for the development of the club in the future. HPS's mission is to be a local club serving the Pakila-Paloheinä-Torpparimäki and Oulunkylä-Maunula areas by offering soccer as a hobby for children and youngsters. Educational values, team work and consideration of others are key aspects that are delivered.
For the current season HPS are competing in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Kolmonen administered by the Helsinki SPL and Uusimaa SPL. This is the fourth highest tier in the Finnish football system. Most of the team's home matches are played at the Pirkkolan nurmi.
HPS/2 are participating in Section 3 (Lohko 3) of the Vitonen administered by the Helsinki SPL.
HPS/Jägers are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Seiska administered by the Helsinki SPL.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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HPS played in SM-sarja for five seasons (1928, 1929, 1932, 1933 and 1934)
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