IFK Eskilstuna

IFK Eskilstuna is a Swedish football club located in Eskilstuna, Södermbeen anland County. In their early seasons, IFK played in Allsvenskan, the top division of Swedish football league, but now plays in Division 2 Västra Svealand, the fourth tier of Swedish football.

Background


Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna Eskilstuna, which is the club's full name, was founded on 9 September 1897 and maintains a long rivalry with Eskilstuna City FK. Historically, IFK Eskilstuna have the stronger record, having spent 14 seasons in the Allsvenskan. However Eskilstuna City FK currently play in a higher division. In 1910, IFK participated in the first Svenska Serien along with IFK Göteborg, Örgryte IS, AIK and IFK Norrköping. Their first championship final match took place in 1921 when IFK defeated IK Sleipner 2–1 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium before 11,695 spectators. They competed in another championship final match in 1923, which resulted in a 5–1 loss to AIK.

In the early years, the club also played bandy and was playing in the then Swedish top-tier league Division 1 for two years in the 1930s.

IFK competed in the very first Allsvenskan season in 1924/25, and played a further 13 seasons in the Allsvenskan from 1924/25-1928/29, 1930/31-1935/36, 1942/43, 1957/58 and 1964. Their best season was in 1931/32 when they finished in fifth place. The marathon table of Allsvenskan teams shows IFK in 23rd position, their last season at the highest level being in 1964.

IFK reached the Allsvenskan qualifying stage in 1981 after winning Division 2 Norra by pipping Örebro SK to the top position. However, IFK failed to win the play-offs against Kalmar FF to progress to the higher level. The 1987 season proved another near miss when IFK finished in second place, to second place in Division I Norra; Djurgarden. In 1988 history was repeated, this time IFK finished second to Örebro SK.

In 1992, IFK were relegated from Division 1 and subsequently have competed in the middle divisions of the Swedish football league system. The club currently play in Division 3 Västra Svealand which is the fifth tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Tunavallen in Eskilstuna.

IFK Eskilstuna are affiliated to the Södermanlands Fotbollförbund. The club have an active youth section. In 1970 and 1985, the junior team won the Swedish Junior Championship. Famous footballers who have played for IFK Eskilstuna include Kenneth Andersson and Sebastian Larsson.

Attendances


In recent seasons IFK Eskilstuna have had the following average attendances:

The attendance record at Tunavallen was set in 1963 when 22,491 spectators attended the match with GAIS.

Achievements

 * Swedish Champions
 * Winners (1): 1921

League

 * Division 1 Norra:
 * Runners-up (2): 1987, 1988

Cups

 * Svenska Mästerskapet:
 * Winners (1): 1921
 * Runners-up (1): 1923