Nelonen or IV divisioona is the fifth level in the

Finnish football league system The Finnish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Finland. The three highest levels are managed by the Finnish FA while the other leagues are managed by the regional departments of the FA. System As of ...

and comprises 159 teams. The IV divisioona was introduced in 1973 and in the mid-1990s became known as the Nelonen (''Number Four'' in English and ''Fyran'' in Swedish).

Competition

There are 159 clubs in the Nelonen, divided in 14 groups of 9 to 12 teams each representing a geographical area. During the course of a season (starting in April and ending in October) each club normally plays the others twice, once at their home ground and once at that of their opponents. The top team in each Nelonen group is normally promoted to

Kolmonen Kolmonen or III divisioona is the fourth level in the league system of Finnish football and comprises 104 Finnish football teams. The III divisioona was introduced in 1973 and in the mid-1990s became known as the Kolmonen (''Number Three'' in E ...

and the two lowest placed teams are normally relegated to the

Vitonen Vitonen or V divisioona is the sixth level in the Finnish football league system and comprises 228 teams. The V divisioona was introduced in 1973 and in the mid-1990s became known as the Vitonen (''Number Five'' in English and ''Femman'' in Swed ...

Administration

Football Association of Finland (SPL)

The

Football Association of Finland The Football Association of Finland ( fi, Suomen Palloliitto, abbr. SPL; sv, Finlands Bollförbund) is the governing body of football in Finland. It was founded in Helsinki on 19 May 1907. The SPL organises the men's and women's national footb ...

( fi, Suomen Palloliitto, SPL; sv, Finlands Bollförbund, FBF) administered the Nelonen from 1973 until 1986. There were 18 sections which were divided on a regional basis with between 10 and 12 teams in each.

District Football Associations

Since 1987 the administration of the Nelonen has been delegated to the 12 district authorities of the SPL. Responsibilities for the 14 sections are divided as follows: * SPL Helsinki - 2 sections * SPL Uusimaa - 2 sections * SPL Kaakkois-Suomi - 1 section * SPL Itä-Suomi - 1 section * SPL Keski-Suomi - 1 section * SPL Pohjois-Suomi - 2 sections * SPL Keski-Pohjanmaa - 1 section * SPL Vaasa - 1 section * SPL Satakunta - 1 section * SPL Tampere - 1 section * SPL Turku and Åland FF - 1 section Teams within the Nelonen are eligible to compete in the

Suomen Cup The Finnish Cup ( fi, Suomen cup; sv, Finlands cup) is Finland's main national cup competition in football. This yearly competition is open for all member clubs of the FA of Finland and has been played since 1955. The winner qualifies for the ...

and the Suomen Regions' Cup. The clubs are normally listed in an abbreviated form and their full names can be viewed by referring to the List of clubs or the relevant District Association.

Competition

Administration

Football Association of Finland (SPL)

District Football Associations

Current clubs - 2012 Season

Seasons - League Tables

References and sources

Footnotes