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Persian Gulf Pro League

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Persian Gulf Cup
Persian Gulf Cup (2006-2007)
File:Persian Gulf Cup logo.jpg
Founded
2001
Nation
 Iran
Relegation to
Azadegan League
Number of Teams
16
Asian Qualification
Asian Champions League
Cups
Hazfi Cup
Current Champions (2006-07)
Saipa F.C.

Iran's Premier Football League known as the Iran Premier League (IPL) and now officially as the Persian Gulf Cup is the most important football league in Iran, as well as the latest stage in the evolution of Iranian league football. The league system resembles the system being used in England currently. The Premier League is the top tier of an extensive pyramid-like structure, above the Azadegan League (or 1st Division), the 2nd division, the 3rd Division and the lower local leagues.

History

Pre-1970s

Before the early 1970's Iran did not have an official national league. Most teams would participate in city championships. Taj1 and Persepolis2 had become the two most popular teams in the mid 60s and continue to be in the present. Pas, Shahin, Taj, Daraei F.C., all won championships in the Tehran local league, during this period.

Takht Jamshid Cup

Main article: Takht Jamshid Cup

In 1972, the Takht Jamshid Cup was created. It was designed to include teams from all over the country, but as usual teams from Tehran dominated, mostly Pas, winning the final two. The league was in place until the Iranian Revolution took place, and the 1978 season was left uncompleted.

1980s

Due to the revolution and the Iran-Iraq War, football was no longer a priority. Clubs had very little money and due to political reasons team names, management and resources were changed. There was no major league competition during the 1980-89 period, only a few cup competitions and some local city league championships such as the 17th of Shahrivar league and the Qods Cup.In 1989 the Qods league was created and saw Esteghlal as its champion.

Azadegan League

In 1991 the Qods league was renamed the Azadegan League. Named the Azadegan League in honor of Iranian prisoners of war who were released, it began operations in the 1991-92 season. Pas was its first champion. For the first time in more than ten years Iran finally had a national league again. The number of teams playing in the league varied from year to year. Pas and Saipa dominated the league in the first four years. Pas and Esteghlal both were able to capture Asian Club Championships in the early 1990s. By the mid-90s Persepolis and Esteghlal regained their dominant form. The league championship every year between 1995-2001 was either Esteghlal or Persepolis. The two clubs always had the most talented players in Iran, the national team consisted mainly of Persepolis and Esteghlal players, and some of the greatest talents Iranian football has seen were discovered during this period.

File:Ipl200.png
IPL Logo (2001-2006)

IPL: Iranian Premier League

The 2001-2002 season saw the beginning of the first professional football league in Iran. Unfortunately many say that the new league is professional in name only and is missing many of the required components of a pro league. Player salaries have risen significantly and other positives in the league are the emergence of provincial teams and raw talent which every IPL team boasts. Teams like Foolad Sepahan, Foolad Khouzestan, Zob Ahan FC and Esteghlal Ahvaz have all shown they can compete, even though they are not based in Tehran. The league can only continue to get better, and many are hoping this league will help Iran's football, in terms of quality and reputation improve.

Persian Gulf Cup

On August 12, 2006, the Iranian Football Federation decided to change the name of the league once again. The name of the league now is the Persian Gulf Cup.[1]. This was done to promote the name of the Persian Gulf, instead of the incorrect variations which some nations and organizations use. The league logo was also changed, with the winner being selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on November 14, 2006.[2]

Persian Gulf Cup clubs

Persian Gulf Cup members for 2007-08

The following eighteen clubs will be competing in the Persian Gulf Cup during the 2007-08 season.

Club
 Finishing position
in 2006–07 		First season in
IPL 		First season of
current spell in
IPL
Aboomoslem 6th 2001–02 2001–02
Bargh Shiraz 12th 2001–02 2001–02
Esteghlal Ahvaz 2nd 2002–03 2002–03
Esteghlal Tehran 4th 2001–02 2001–02
Fajr Sepasi 10th 2001–02 2001–02
Malavan 14th 2001–02 2004–05
Mes Kerman 9th 2006–07 2006–07
Pas Hamedan N/A 2007–08 2007–08
Paykan Tehran 7th 2001–02 2006–07
Pegah Gilan 1st in Azadegan League (play-off winner) 2003–04 2007–08
Persepolis 3rd 2001–02 2001–02
Rah Ahan 16th 2005–06 2005–06
Saba Battery 13th 2004–05 2004–05
Saipa 1st 2001–02 2001–02
Sanat Naft Azadegan League (automatic promotion) 2007–08 2007–08
Sepahan 5th 2001–02 2001–02
Shirin Faraz Kermanshah Azadegan League (play-off winner) 2007–08 2007–08
Zob Ahan 8th 2001–02 2001–02

League champions

Local Leagues

Takht Jamshid Cup

1980s

  • 1979-1989 No League Competition

Qods League

Azadegan League

IPL

Notes
1. Taj changed its name to Esteghlal F.C. in 1979.
2. Shahin F.C. changed its name to Persepolis F.C. in 1968, which in turn changed to Pirouzi in 1986; but the 'old' name Persepolis is still used in preference to Piroozi in Iran.
3. Azadegan League is now the name of the 2nd highest division in Iran, only the IPL is higher.

Total Championships

The number of national championships that clubs in Iran have attained. (Since 1973)

Club
 Number of Championships
Persepolis F.C. 7
Esteghlal F.C. 5
Pas F.C. 5
Saipa F.C. 3
Sepahan F.C. 1
Foolad F.C. 1

Top scorers

All-time top scorers in Iranian 1st Division
(Premier League goals only)
Rank Player Goals
1 Iran Edmond Bezik 84
2 Iran Ali Asghar Modir Roosta 82
3 Iran Reza Enayati 70
4 Iran Ali Daei 72
5 Iran Gholam Reza Sahebi 67
6 Iran Rasoul Khatibi 66
Includes when Azadegan League and Takht Jamshid Cup were 1st Division[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "[[:Template:Fa icon]] برنامه‌ي كامل دور رفت ششمين دوره‌ي ليگ برتر فوتبال؛ ليگ برتر به «خليج فارس» تغيير نام داد". ISNA. Retrieved 2006-08-14. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  2. ^ "[[:Template:Fa icon]]برترين طرح ارائه شده براي ليگ برتر انتخاب شد". IRIFF Official Website. Retrieved 2006-11-24. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  3. ^ "[[:Template:Fa icon]]شهريار به‌ بزيک، مديرروستا و عنايتى‌ نرسيد على‌ دايى‌ در 72 متوقف‌ شد". Khabar Varzeshi Official Website. Retrieved 2007-5-?. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)


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