Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat (KTP) is a Finnish football club based in Kotka, founded in 1927. The club’s traditional colours are green and white, a palette that remains central to its visual identity today.[1]
Design and History
In late May 2015, after being promoted to the Veikkausliiga for that season, KTP unveiled a new visual identity and brand. As part of the refresh, the club’s traditional logo was slightly modified. The previous logo featured five green vertical stripes, while the new, “slimmer” logo contained only four. Additionally, the centre stripe changed from green to white.[2]
The 2015 change was not well received by some supporters. Fans displayed a banner at a home match reading “Why fix what isn’t broken?” and discussed the change on social media under hashtags such as #logogate and #miksikorjataehjää. One fan noted that the altered centre stripe was noticeable and disappointing.[2]
KTP’s managing director at the time, Riku Tapio, said the brand renewal was intended to clarify the club’s visual identity and content. He noted that fans were included in the brand working group and that the criticism reflected the passion people have for the club.[2]
Alongside the logo change, the club’s brand began to emphasise “ahtaajameininki” (docker spirit). According to the club’s press release, “dockers always give their all, respecting traditions and community.” The term “ahtaajafutis” (docker football) had been used for years in Kotka, reflecting the city’s port heritage and the fighting spirit expected of the team.[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The club’s green and white colours are closely tied to Kotka’s identity. A Steveco executive, commenting on the company’s long-running partnership with KTP, described Kotka as being known for its harbour and for “green and white football and basketball.”[3]
The “ahtaajameininki” concept, promoted in the 2015 brand renewal, connects the club’s identity to the local dockworker tradition. The term describes a mentality of perseverance and giving everything on the pitch, rooted in Kotka’s history as a port city.[2]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
