Tartu Welco

Formation

The history of the club began in November 2007, a year before its official founding, when a group of football enthusiasts led by Mirko Kikkamägi gathered under the name JK Masuudinaine to compete in a local Tartu football championship. After an unsuccessful debut in the competition, the team decided to enter the Estonian football championship and registered the team as JK Welco Elekter to play in IV Liiga South. The club's new name was taken from OÜ Welco Elekter, a local electricity company, which became the name sponsor of the club. In its first season, JK Welco Elekter's squad was mainly composed of inexperienced players. One exception was trequartista Mikk Valtna, a former Tartu JK Tammeka player who had briefly played in the Meistriliiga before joining.

Season 2008

The club's debut season was challenged by squad problems and lack of organizational knowledge. As such, JK Welco Elekter finished its first season in IV Liiga South in 9th place, scoring 21 points across 22 games. The club played in the Estonian Small Cup, but only advanced to the 2nd round. JK Welco Elekter won its first trophy in the annual Estonian Football Association end-of-year tournament, finishing 3rd. Mikk Valtna was named MVP of the tournament.

Season 2009

The players were much more experienced in the club's second season, and the experimental strategies of head coach Mirko Kikkamägi resulted in more success for the club. Also, the addition of Timo Kuus (who had previously also played for Meistriliiga on Tartu JK Tammeka) to the team made the defensive line much more confident and improved the team's performances. JK Welco Elekter finished the season in 3rd place with 11 wins and 35 points across 20 games. The team advanced to the play-off round to play for promotion to III Liiga, but lost 1 - 6 to JK Koeru. In the Estonian Small Cup, the team advanced to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Tallinna JK Piraaja 0 - 3.

Season 2010

Season 2010 saw many organizational and squad changes in the club. The most significant of these was the hiring of experienced head coach Boris Hrabrov. Important additions to the squad included Eldar Rassulov and Sergei Ottšik, who both entered with years of experience in the Meistriliiga. Right back Priit Raamat took on the position of club chairman. JK Welco Elekter managed to finish the 2010 season 2nd in the league, with 52 points across 20 games. Mikk Valtna scored 35 goals in the league, the most of any Estonian footballer that year. This finish ensured the club's promotion into III Liiga. The club was less successful in the Estonian Cup and Estonian Small Cup, but they finished 3rd in the end-of-year tournament.

Season 2011

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 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 the team.

Season 2012

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 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 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.

Season 2013

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 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 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.