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39-532: Tartu Welco is the largest community owned football club in Estonia, meaning the club is owned by its players and fans, who make up a general assembly of approximately 150 members. The club also has a reserve team in II Liiga and men and women amateur teams in lower tiers of Estonian football pyramid. Since 2019, the club is cooperating with Tartu Santos , who acts as the club's youth department. Tartu Welco's supporter group

78-645: A former Tartu JK Tammeka player who had previously for a single game capped for Meistriliiga side. The club's debut season was difficult due to squad problems and lack of organisational know-how, so JK Welco Elekter finished its first season in IV Liiga South with 21 points from 22 games and with nondescript 9th place. Also, the Estonian Small Cup was unsuccessful when the club advanced only to 2nd round. JK Welco Elekter won its first trophy in annual Estonian Football Association End of Year tournament when

117-433: A former Welco first team goalkeeper and JK Welco found a new head coach from the newly-defunct FCI Tallinn – Yusuf Erdogan . The original crest of JK Welco was developed in the middle of the first, 2008 season. In 2014, the club held a 1-month-long play-off style competition to find a new and fresh logo. Not surprisingly, the fans chose a logo which is very similar to the original Lauri Särak design. Current JK Welco goalie

156-423: A good win against inner-county rivals FC Elva , the team was able to pick up only three wins with remaining 35 games. Not surprisingly, 19 points were not enough to keep JK Welco out from relegation. As winter 2017 were turbulent times for Estonian football – two Meistriliiga clubs FCI Tallinn and FC Levadia decided to merge and JK Sillamäe Kalev were relegated to II liiga due to financial troubles, JK Welco

195-456: A playoff with winners of playoffs of III liiga second placed clubs. 2019 II N/E liiga consists of 14 teams. Nine of them remain the same, one was promoted from III liiga South , one from III liiga West and two were relegated from higher divisions. Promoted teams are Põhja-Tallinna JK Volta II and FC Jõgeva Wolves and relegated teams are Tartu FC Santos (from Esiliiga) and Lasnamäe FC Ajax (from Esiliiga B). Tallinna JK Legion II joined

234-551: A technical loss and Welco headed to Esiliiga for 2017 season. The cup season was not a success for Welco as for second year in a row the team was drawn to play against FC Flora in the 1/32-round. The electricians did not hold their own on the pitch and lost 0:8 at home. The first season at the second-highest tier in Estonian football system proved to be a too tough bone to chew for the Electricians. Even though season started with

273-455: A third place which granted the team a play-off round for a place in Esiliiga against Nõmme Kalju FC U21 team. Although Welco lost the first game at home 2:4, the Estonian football community was rocked by the infamous Hendrik Pürg Scandal. The aforementioned player was not eligible to play, but the managerial staff of Kalju still sent Pürg on pitch. This eventually meant that Kalju U21 was given

312-523: Is named Electric Legion and is one of the biggest and most vocal supporter groups in Estonian club football scene. History of the club begins a year before the official founding of Tartu JK Welco Elekter when group of football enthusiasts, led by charismatic first captain of the team and eternal head coach Mirko Kikkamägi, gathered under the name JK Masuudinaine to compete in local Tartu football championship in November 2007. After not-so-successful debut in

351-420: The II Liiga . Welco decided to take on the challenge, though this meant that the season will be difficult. The management made a considerable amount of additions to the squad and the depth of the roster proved to be vital for the success for the team. In the league, Welco was constantly in the relegation zone, but due to the strong finish to the season, electricians managed to finish on the 11th spot, just out of

390-640: The 2018 season. – never been relegated from II liiga – never played in Esiliiga B/Esiliiga – ineligible for promotion to Esiliiga B In addition to league winners, second placed teams also get a chance to get promoted. First of all, both second placed teams play each other and the winner goes to the second round, where it meets with Esiliiga B 8th placed team. The winner of this game gets to compete in Esiliiga B . Every season II Liiga North/East and II Liiga South/West winners compete in

429-499: The Esiliiga B in 2016 meant that the club had to move away from their beloved Tamme artificial pitch, since the regulations from the EJL did not allow to play on slightly undersized pitch. Thus, Welco moved their home games to the 1,638-seat Tamme Stadium . From 2020 until early 2023, the club again used Annelinna kunstmurustaadion as their home ground. On 10 June 2023, Tartu Welco opened their very own home ground Holm Jalgpallipark , which

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468-417: The beginning of 2010 season, Welco moved its home ground to Annelinna kunstmurustaadion , mainly due to renovation of Tamme artificial turf. In the beginning of 2013, the turf was so amortized that club decided to move back to the first home ground Tamme Stadium's artificial turf ground. The club renovated the terraces for the spectators and the pitch now has a stand for up to 150 spectators. Being promoted to

507-578: The club had constructed for five years. The stadium is located adjacent to the Estonian National Museum and its wooden grandstand can seat 580 people. II Liiga II liiga is the fourth level of football league competition in Estonia arranged by the Estonian Football Association . It consists of 28 teams, divided geographically into two divisions with 14 teams respectively in group North/East and South/West. Until 2013, it

546-644: The club once again held a competition with already well-known recipe to replace the iconic black on white hoops design. Overall 14 designers submitted 16 ideas for a new kit. The competition lasted for a week, gathered a whopping 1400 votes and had a total reach of 100,000 people on club's Facebook page. The competition was anonymous, but the winning design was not surprisingly again Särak's. During its first two seasons, JK Welco Elekter constantly changed its home grounds. Both Tamme Stadium's artificial turf ground and Põllu tn stadium natural grass pitch served as home grounds. In

585-433: The club was 3rd. Mikk Valtna was named MVP of the tournament In the second season, the team was much more experienced and experimental strategies of young football mastermind, head coach Mirko Kikkamägi, started to succeed. Addition of a future long-time team captain, Timo Kuus , who had previously also played for Meistriliiga side Tartu JK Tammeka , to the team, made the defensive line much more confident and improved

624-412: The competition, the team decided to try their luck in Estonian football championship and registered the team as JK Welco Elekter to play in IV Liiga South. New name was given by OÜ Welco Elekter – a local electricity company, which became the name sponsor of the club. In the first season, JK Welco Elekter squad was mainly completed of inexperienced players, a rare contrast was trequartista Mikk Valtna ,

663-496: The decision, all three teams managed by MTÜ JK Welco are competing under new name – Tartu JK Welco . Significant changes were done to coaching stuff and Siim Valtna took over as lone head coach, while his brother Mikk came back home and joined the proud Black-White Army on the field where he was given the privilege to be el capitan once again. Additionally, strong and experienced centre-back Lehar The Terminator Savikink and nimble target-man Hannes Tiru from FC Levadia joined

702-413: The first team coaching staff. The season ended with 3rd place – and the team just missed the opportunity to play for the promotion to Esiliiga B . The team could not mirror the success in 2014–15 Estonian Cup nor in Estonian Small Cup  – both competitions ended for Welco in the 1st round. In the wake of 2015 season, the general assembly of MTÜ JK Welco decided to take a bold move and following

741-432: The first time its history, club had to find players for two teams. All things considered, spring round was unsuccessful for the team and club's chair decided to part ways with head coach Boris Hrabrov . Debutant head coach Mikk Valtna took over the job and squad's performances started to improve. The return of Rassulov and addition of former Estonian u-14 youth national team player Marten Kihho helped to achieve 5th place in

780-456: The head coach once again in the middle of 2012 season – due to the underperforming team and lack of enthusiasm on field. Club's chair decided to offer the vacant head coach position to iconic star-striker Mikk Valtna . In the wake of 2014 season, club's chair decided to share head coaching position between Valtna brothers – after the successful debut in front of the Welco reserves, Siim Valtna

819-474: The head coaching position. Eldar Rassulov and Sergei Ottšik, both with years of Estonian Meistriliiga experience, were most important additions to the squad. The club chairman position was taken over by right-back Priit Raamat. In the 2010, JK Welco Elekter managed to finish the season 2nd in the league, which ensured the club's promotion to III Liiga . Welco finished the season with 52 points from 20 games and astonishing 100 goals. Mikk Valtna scored 35 goals in

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858-463: The in-town rivals Tartu SK 10 gave the electricians starting 11 a level of quality that proved to be enough to play for the highest places in the league. Also, some changes were made on the coaching staff – after a successful debut season as the head coach of Welco's reserves, the club chair decided to share the head coaching position between the Valtna brothers, bringing former Welco II coach Siim to

897-489: The league and was the top scorer in whole Estonian football system in 2011. Estonian Cup and Estonian Small Cup were both unsuccessful to the club, but End of Year tournament brought second 3rd-place trophy to Welco. Welco debut season in III Liiga South proved to be quite difficult for the team. Addition of experienced centre-back Juri Avdonin and former member of Estonian youth national team, winger Marti Pähn, gave

936-575: The league at the end of season. Both, the Estonian Small Cup and Estonian cup were unsuccessful – the team failed to record a win in cup competitions in 2012. The End of Year tournament brought a traditional 3rd place to the team. In the wake of the 2013, Welco's chair decided to take the challenge offered by the Estonian Football Association. Due to the reforms to the Estonian football league system, Welco had an opportunity to join

975-475: The league from II S/W liiga. These teams replaced Tartu FC Santos II and Maardu United (dissolved), Põhja-Tallinna JK Volta (promoted) as well as Raasiku FC Joker and Tallinna JK Piraaja (transferred to II S/W liiga). The following clubs are competing in II liiga North/East during the 2019 season. – ineligible for promotion to Esiliiga B 2018 II S/W Liiga consists of 14 different teams. Eight of them remain

1014-459: The ranks and improved the quality of the team. The season, ended with 2nd place and Welco played for promotion to Esiliiga B. In the first leg Welco won Tallinna FC Puuma 5–0 and although in the second leg the team had to face 0–2 loss, Welco ensured a place in Esiliiga B. In 2015–16 Estonian Cup Welco made it to 1/16-final where the team faced Premium League team FC Flora. The game was played in Welco's homecourt in front of 747 spectators which set

1053-616: The record for recent years in Tartu ;– it was also Welco's record for home crowd. Welco lost the game to Flora 0–2. In Estonian Small Cup Welco made it to quarterfinal where FC Merkuur defeated Welco 4–1. The first season in the top leagues of Estonian football pyramid was a challenge for the club, since it brought more games, higher playing level and requirements for the organization. The team coped surprisingly well with higher league – with much help from new signings of Kristofer Reinberg, Hendrik Vellama and Kaarel Torop – and finished season on

1092-708: The relegation. The Estonian Small Cup was much more successful to the team then on the previous seasons – team advanced to the 1/4 finals, but the team could not improve its best accomplishment in the competition and were held down by Saue JK 2–3. Also, the Estonian Cup was a huge success for the club – team advanced to 1/8-final and missed further stage of the competition by only the narrowest of margins – Esiliiga side FC Puuma defeated Welco in front Tartu home crowd 4–3. Season 2014 started with high ambitions – new off-season acquisitions Erki Kade, former Estonian U19 national team winger Siim Sillaots and Siim Kaasik from

1131-667: The same. Two were promoted from III Liiga West , one from III Liiga North and one from III Liiga East . They were Pärnu JK Poseidon , Läänemaa JK , JK Tallinna Kalev III and Paide Linnameeskond III . One team was transferred from II Liiga N/E. It was Tallinna JK Legion II . Remaining team was relegated from Esiliiga B , which was Viimsi JK . These teams replaced FC Nõmme United , Pärnu Jalgpalliklubi and FC Flora U19 (all promoted), Saue JK Laagri , SK Imavere and Viimsi JK II . Also Tallinna JK Dünamo changed its name to Tallinna JK Legion II . The following clubs were competing in II liiga South/West during

1170-507: The season, the winners of both divisions may be promoted to the Esiliiga B . This is providing the clubs meet the licensing criteria of the Esiliiga B. Second placed clubs of the divisions face each other in a play-off, the winner of which will play with Esiliiga B eight placed (third bottom) club for promotion to the Esiliiga. Two clubs from the bottom end of both divisions are relegated to the III liiga . Third bottom clubs in both divisions will play

1209-475: The squad much needed depth, but Welco still struggled to find the back of the net in the 1st round, with star striker Mikk Valtna abroad. The club improved the performances in 2nd round and eventually finished the season with 4th place. Estonian Cup was a success for the team, since Welco advanced to 1/16-final and just narrowly missed the target, by losing away to Meistriliiga side FC Kuressaare 1–2. End of Year tournament gave yet another 3rd-place trophy to

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1248-574: The team's performances. JK Welco Elekter finished the season with 11 wins and 35 points in 20 games and 3rd place in the league. The team advanced to play-off round to play for promotion to III Liiga , where JK Koeru beat JK Welco Elekter with aggregate score of 1–6. Estonian Small Cup proved to be much more successful and the team advanced to 1/4-finals, where III Liiga side Tallinna JK Piraaja beat JK Welco Elekter 0–3. Season 2010 saw many organisational and squad changes, most notably an addition of experienced head coach Boris Hrabrov , who took over

1287-412: The team. The season 2012, which marks an anniversary 5th season of the club, proved to be very difficult. The team saw the departure of beloved lean mean goal machine Mikk Valtna , who joined inner-town rivals Meistriliiga side JK Tammeka Tartu . Also infamous midfield fighter Eldar Rassulov was unable to help the team in the first round. Additionally, squad problems occurred due to the fact that for

1326-512: Was again the author of the winning crest. The lightning bolt symbolizes the club's initial name Welco Elekter ( elekter = electricity in Estonian). Welco started playing in sky-blue shirt with black sleeves and all-black bottom. Kit producer was Hummel . During the 2010 season, club decided to change its appearance drastically and introduced distinctive black-on-white hoops design for shirt. Shorts remained black, but socks were changed to white. New kit

1365-454: Was offered a position next to his brother Mikk as a coach of Welco's first team. After Mikk's decision to rejoin the black-white army of Welco on the field, Siim Valtna was the lone head coach of the first team. Since the 2017 season in Esiliiga was unsuccessful for the black-and-white-army , the club's chair and Siim Valtna decided to part ways. The latter joined Meistriliiga side Tartu JK Tammeka as an assistant coach to Kaido Koppel –

1404-442: Was produced by Uhlsport . In the wake of 2013 season, the club planned to develop an eye-catching new away jersey for both teams. The club used the help of its supporters to decide which kit was the most suitable to serve as a second jersey for the originally black-whites. The winning jersey was a combination of white base with red back (that symbolizes the flag of club's home town Tartu), and already "legendary" black stripes. In 2016,

1443-482: Was still able to keep the spot in Esiliiga for 2018 season. In 2019, Tartu Welco started a cooperation with Tartu Santos , during which the first teams of the two clubs merged and Santos started to act as a youth academy to Tartu Welco. In 2023, the club moved to their new home ground Holm Park . As of 28 August 2024 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Mirko Kikkamägi

1482-502: Was the first head coach and under his two-year reign, the team achieved 3rd place in the IV Liiga in 2009. Kikkamägi left the head coaching position to concentrate on his playing career and vacant job went to experienced Boris Hrabrov . Hrabrov brought new training methodology and added huge amount of professionalism to the squad of amateurs. Igor Antonov was the right-hand man of Hrabrov and served as consulting coach . Club decided to change

1521-406: Was the third level league. During the season, teams play each opponent twice, once at home and once away, for 26 matches. At the end of the season, the winners of both divisions face each other in one final match to determine the champion of II liiga. As in most countries with low temperatures in winter time, the season starts around April and lasts until around the start of November. At the end of

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