Kronohagens Idrottsförening (abbreviated KIF or Kiffen) () is a sports club from Helsinki, Finland. The club was founded on 27 September 1908, and has been mainly known for the achievements of its association football and handball teams. In the past the club also played at the top level in ice hockey and has won the Kalevan malja (Kaleva Cup) in athletics. Other sports that the club participates include shooting, bandy, bowling, and boxing.
The men's football team is historically one of the most successful teams in Finland, and won the national football championship on three occasions during the 1910s, but currently plays in the Kakkonen (Second Division), the fourth tier of Finnish football. The football section of Kronohagens Idrottsforening is now known as FC Kiffen 08.
Football
History
Kiffen football is known as the Mustat Hurmurit (Black charmers). The name comes from the late 1920s when the black coloured jersey was first introduced bu Kiffen bandy team. Kiffen had two representatives, Ragnar Wickström and Lars Schybergson, in the Finnish football team at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. The club then won the Finnish football championship (Mestaruussarja) in 1913, 1915 and 1916 in the years prior to Finnish independence in 1917. Kiffen's last championship win came much later in 1955.
The decline in Kiffen football set in a decade later when the club were relegated from the Mestaruussarja and then a further relegation from the Suomensarja (Finland League), the second tier, followed in 1965 to the Maakuntasarja, the third tier. Fortunes fluctuated in the late 1960s and early 1970s before the club made its last appearances in the Mestaruussarja in 1977 and 1978. Among the players representing Kiffen at that time were Erkki Alaja, Juha Dahllund, Kai Haaskivi, Atik Ismail and Reima Kokko.
The following year in 1978 Kiffen had dropped to the Ykkönen (First Division) and in the subsequent years the club have not reached second-tier football. Over the last 30 years the club has fluctuated between the Kakkonen (Second Division) and Kolmonen (Third Division).
In 1982 and 1983 Kiffen's ladies team reached the Finnish Women's league championship qualifiers and from 1984 until 1989 played in the Premier Division after which the team withdrew with their divisional place being inherited by MP Mikkeli.
Honours and achievements Finnish Champions (Mestaruussarja Winners): 1913, 1915, 1916 and 1955 Finnish Cup (Suomen Cup): Runners–up in 1958 (2–4 to KTP Kotka).
Divisional movements since 1930 Top Level (25 seasons): 1930–32, 1940/41–46/47, 1948–57, 1960–64, 1977–78 Second Level (16 seasons): 1936–39, 1947/48, 1958/59, 1965, 1969–74, 1976, 1979 Third Level (21 seasons): 1975, 1980–85, 1990, 1994–2004, 2009–2012, 2015–
Season to season
SeasonLevelDivisionSectionAdministrationPositionMovements1930Tier 1 A-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th1931Tier 1 A-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th1932Tier 1 A-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8thRelegated1933Tier 2 B-Sarja (Second Division)Helsinki Region Qualifying Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) Did not Qualify to nationwide league1934Tier 2 B-Sarja (Second Division)Western Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th1935Tier 2 B-Sarja (Second Division)West League Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th1936Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-sarja (Second Division)West League Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd1937Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-sarja (Second Division)West League Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd1938Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-sarja (Second Division)West League, South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stPromotion Playoff1939Tier 2 Itä-Länsi-sarja (Second Division)West League, Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stPromotion Group West 1st – Promoted1940Tier 1 Cup-Competition Cup format Finnish FA(Suomen Palloliitto) Quarter-finals1940–41Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th1942Tier 1 Cup-Competition Cup format Finnish FA & TUL (Suomen Palloliitto & Työväen Urheiluliitto) Quarter-finals1943–44Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4thQualifying round 2nd1945Tier 1 SPL Mestaruussarja (Premier League)Groub B Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th1945Tier 1 Cup-Competition Cup format Finnish FA & TUL (Suomen Palloliitto & Työväen Urheiluliitto) Round of 321945–46Tier 1 SPL Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th1946–47Tier 1 SPL Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8thRelegated1947–48Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division)South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stPromotion Group 1st – Promoted1948Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th1949Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd1950Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th1951Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th1952Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th1953Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th1954Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th1955Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stChampions1956Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd1957Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9thRelegated1958Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division)South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd1959Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division)South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stPromoted1960Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd1961Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd1962Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th1963Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 9th1964Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12thRelegated1965Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division)West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12thRelegated1966Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd1967Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & UusimaaFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd1968Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & UusimaaFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1stPromoted1969Tier 2 Suomensarja (Second Division)East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd1970Tier 2 II Divisioona (Second Division)East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th1971Tier 2 II Divisioona (Second Division)East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th1972Tier 2 II Divisioona (Second Division)East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th1973Tier 2 I Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th1974Tier 2 I Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12thRelegated1975Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1stPromoted1976Tier 2 I Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1stPromoted1977Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th1978Tier 1 Mestaruussarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11thRelegated1979Tier 2 I Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12thRelegation Group 8th – Relegated1980Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th1981Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th1982Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th1983Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th1984Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th1985Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) West GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11thRelegated1986Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 2Helsinki & Uusimaa4th 1987Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 2Helsinki & Uusimaa9th 1988Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 2Helsinki & Uusimaa8th 1989Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa1st Promoted1990Tier 3II Divisioona (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11thRelegated1991Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 2Helsinki & Uusimaa7th 1992Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 1Helsinki & Uusimaa5th 1993Tier 4III divisioona (Third Division)Group 2Helsinki & Uusimaa2nd Promoted1994Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th1995Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th1996Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th1997Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th1998Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) East GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th1999Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd2000Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th2001Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th2002Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th2003Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th2004Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division) South GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12thRelegated2005Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 1Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa)3rd2006Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 3Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki)5th2007Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 2Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki)2nd2008Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 3Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki)1st Promoted2009Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th2010Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd2011Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th2012Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Itäinen (Eastern)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9thRelegated2013Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 2Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa)2nd2014Tier 4Kolmonen (Third Division)Section 2Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki)1stPromoted2015Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Itäinen (Eastern)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th2016Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Itäinen (Eastern)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th2017Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Itäinen (Eastern)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th2018Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group BFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th2019Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th2020Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th2021Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th2022Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th2023Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th2024Tier 4Kakkonen (Second Division)Group AFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2ndPromotion Playoff 2nd round2025Tier 4Kakkonen (Second Division)Group BFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th2026Tier 4Kakkonen (Second Division)Group BFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 25 seasons in Mestaruussarja 19 seasons in 2nd Tier 35 seasons in 3rd Tier 16 seasons in 4th Tier
Helsingin Sanomat 1933 no 148
Club structure Kiffen runs 3 men's teams, 1 women's team and 4 veteran's teams.
FC Kiffen men's first team are competing in Group A of the Kakkonen. This is the fourth tier of the Finnish football system.
FC Kiffen women's first team are competing in Group A of the Kakkonen. This is the third tier of the Finnish football system.
FC Kiffen/2 are participating in the Section 3 of the Kutonen (Sixth Division).
FC Kiffen/3 are participating in the Section 1 of the Nelonen (Fourth Division).
Current squad
Management Updated 9 January 2021