Persepolis FC

Persepolis FC (پرسپوليس in Persian) is a football club in Iran. Among all the Iranian teams Persepolis has had the most impressive record of titles. The Tehran derby between Persepolis and its arch rivals Esteghlal, is always a closely followed match and victory or loss can make it or break it for one of teams. According to the AFC, Persepolis is Asia's number one supported club team. Only Dalian Shide and Al-Hilal have similar support in Asia.

Club history

Persepolis was established in 1963 by Ali Abdeh. At that time Persepolis Sports Club had a basketball, bowling and volleyball team. Abdeh had come to Iran from the States and was a championship boxer. When the football club was established as well, it was quite weak, and participated in the 2nd division of the country. The best player on the team then was Mahmoud Khordbin. When Shahin FC was dissolved , a number of the Shahin players moved to Persepolis, thanks to Parviz Dehdari and Dr. Boroumand. The club had a friendly with Jam Abadan, (a respected team at the time), and afterwards the rest of the Shahin players joined Perspolis as well. Persepolis started the 1968 season with Parviz Dehdari as manager. That year no league competetion was held, as many teams had been dissolved, so a 44 team tournament was held, and Persepolis, along with Pas, Taj, and Oghab finished top of the group. In 1969, the Iran Universal factory was opened. The boss of the factory, Mahmoud Khayami was a big Shahin fan, and had a weak team. Ali Parvin played for that team at the time. Khayami who wanted to promote his new product, (Paykan), and improve his football team, entered into negotiations with Persepolis and was able to get all former Shahin players except for Aziz Asli to join his new team Paykan. Paykan won the championship that year, but the new players moved back to Persepolis after one year. Persepolis was able to win the first Takhte Jamshid Cup in 1970, and won another two season later. When the Iranian Revolution took place, the club fell apart and many of the old players did not return. The club was taken over by the Unfortunate and War Amps Substratum (بنياد مستضعفان و جانبازان in Persian) and renamed into Azadi(freedom in Persian). After a brief period the substratum did not want the club anymore and it was placed under the responsibility of the Physical Education Department (سازمان تربيت بدني in Persian) of Iran and renamed Pirouzi(victory in Persian), although most fans still call the team by it's original name, Persepolis. The 90's were a dream decade for the team, four league championships, Hazfi Cups, dozens of great players and renewed support saw the team regaining the form and spirit the team of the 60's and 70's had. At one point more then six Persepolis players were starters on Iran's national team. Up until recently Ali Parvin, had strong control over the team but he had to step aside as Persepolis obtained poor results in the 2005-06 season. Nevertheless, Persepolis is loved by fans and is always a team that many look to win the league championship every season.

Season-by-season

The table below chronicles the achievements of Persepolis FC every season, from 1973 to the present day.

Season	League	League Finishing Position	Hazfi Cup	Asian Cup and Asian Cup Winners Cup
1973	Takhte Jamshid Cup	1st (Champions)''
1974	Takhte Jamshid Cup	2nd
1975	Takhte Jamshid Cup	1st (Champions)''
1976	Takhte Jamshid Cup	2nd
1977	Takhte Jamshid Cup	2nd
1978	Takhte Jamshid Cup	Not Completed Due to Revolution ¹
1989-1990	Qods League	2nd		Asian Cup Winners Cup (Champions'')
1991-1992	Azadegan League	3rd	Cup''
1992-1993	Azadegan League	2nd		Asian Cup Winners Cup (Runner-up)
1993-1994	Azadegan League	2nd		Asian Cup Winners Cup (Quarterfinal)
1994-1995	Azadegan League	4th
1995-1996	Azadegan League	1st (Champions)''
1996-1997	Azadegan League	1st (Champions)''		Asian Cup(3rd)
1997-1998	Azadegan League	Withdrew ²		Asian Cup(4th)
1998-1999	Azadegan League	1st (Champions)''	Cup
1999-2000	Azadegan League	1st (Champions)''		Asian Cup(3rd)
2000-2001	Azadegan League	2nd	1/8 Final	Asian Cup(3rd)
2001-2002	Iran Premier League	1st (Champions)''	Quarterfinal
2002-2003	Iran Premier League	3rd		2nd(Group D)
2003-2004	Iran Premier League	5th	1/8 Final
2004-2005	Iran Premier League	4th	1/8 Final
2005-2006	Iran Premier League	9th

Notes:''
1.Due to the revolution and the Iran-Iraq War there was no major league competition in Iran. (1978-1989)
2.Persepolis withdrew due to international commitments.