# Payam Khorasan F.C.

Payam Toos Khorasan Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال پيام توس خراسان, Bashgah-e Futbal-e Peyam Tus Xerasan) is an Iranian football club based in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan. They compete in the 2nd Division. The club is more commonly known as Payam Mashhad when it was based in Mashhad from 1976 to May 2011. The club was moved to Nishapur from May to November 2011, however due to lack of support in Nishapur, the club moved back to Mashhad. In April 2013 Ali Sheykh Eslami bought Payam Imam Reza Football Club and renamed the club "Payam Vahdat Khorasan Football Club". The re-founded club, Payam Khorasan F.C., was formed in July 2021, taking its name from the year of foundation of the predecessor club and securing a place in the 2020-21 2nd Division. Ex-head coach Younes Masoudi was appointed as president and former player Mohammad Babaei was chosen as head coach.

## History
### Establishment

The club was established in 1976 by Ali Shadiyan under the name "Soltan Tabarsi" and participated in the city of Mashhad's youth football leagues. Sometime in 1977, the name of the club changed to Mokhaberat Mashhad when new owner Javad Moradnejad revealed Ministry of Post and Telecommunications as sponsor of the club. In 1983 the club was renamed to Payam.

### Glory years

In 1988, Payam became Khorasan Province Champions and thus made first appearance in Iran's top league Qods League. Payam then once again appeared in the top league for 1994/95.
After relegation in 1995, once again appeared in the top league and for first time ever two seasons back-to-back 1996/97 and 1997/98. Payam's team of 1996/97 is considered the golden team in Payam's history. In these years the team was coached by the great Majid Jalali and in addition to local star players such as Reza Sahebi, Majid Hosseinipour, Mehdi Vaezi, Ali Hanteh, several Iran national football team players and other star players featured for Payam including Nima Nakisa, Sattar Hamedani, Dariush Yazdani, Behzad Dadashzadeh, Shahram Baratpouri, Ali Chini and Ahmad Momenzadeh. However it got relegated at the end of 1997/98 season.

### Iran Pro League

The club was promoted to the Persian Gulf Cup for the 2008–09 season and had a difficult season where they changed chairman three times and three coaches and had financial problems during the season. They finally lost the battle to their city rivals Aboomoslem and were relegated to the Azadegan League again.

### Relocation to Nishapur

Due to the club's financial crisis, the club was docked three points at the end of the 2010–11 Azadegan League season and thus was relegated to 2nd Division. Parliamentarians and industries in Nishapur had promised financial support and a strong fan base if the team moved. Mahmoud Safaei chairman of the club decided to move the club to Nishapur. This move which lasted only six months from May 2011 to November 2011 was a disaster as the team did not receive the promised support, thus Khorasan Razavi FA took over ownership of the club and returned the club back to Mashhad.

### Bankruptcy

In 2012, the club was unable to pay wages and had debts. The club's owner, Mahmoud Safaei, was able to raise some more money, but even this soon proved to be insufficient resources to sustain the club. Payam Mashhad were relegated to 3rd Division at the end of the 2011–12 season. This form of bankruptcy meant that the club was refused a place in 3rd Division for the 2012–13 season, and as a result effectively ceased to exist.

### Refounded

At the beginning of the summer of 2013-14 season, Majid Khorrami bought the franchise of Esteghlal Sari football club and gave life to this old and popular name of Mashhad and entered the second division league under the name Payam Vahdat Khorasan Football Club with the financial support of Atrak Air. In the second group of the competition, among 14 teams, it did not get a better than 8th rank. Next season, with the support of Mahan Air, in the 2014-2015 Iran Football League Second Division, the first stage (second group) of the games, it won the sixth place in a situation where it was the half-season champion and failed to advance to the final stage to advance to the Azadegan League. In start season 2015-16 with the disagreement between the club owner Majid Khorami and Ali Sheikhul-Islami, the management of the club was removed and Payam Vahdat to Kashmar made the team into the third league and its quota was sold to Persepolis Mashhad.

### Payam Toos

At the beginning of 2021, a campaign was created on Instagram and Telegram to revive the Payam club with the efforts of Qutb The Greens of Khorasan fans and Younes Masoudi, the former captain of this team, which led to the establishment of the Payam club this time with the original name of Payam Toos Khorasan. The two companies of Tybad pipe and profile and Epoxy sleep goods are the financial sponsors and The Greens of Khorasan entered the competition by buying the points of Omid Ganaveh from Bushehr province under the guidance of Mohammad Babaei, one of the famous coaches of Mashhad and a former player of Payam.After 9 weeks, Mohammad Babaei resigned and was replaced by Hassan Sorouri, and he was dismissed after 9 matches due to poor results, and until the end of the 2021–22 season, Abbas Sharif, one of Payam's base coaches, temporarily became the helmsman of Khorasani Greens until he who was the head coach of this team in the last 7 weeks, finished the season by finishing ninth in the table among the fourteen teams of the first group of the second division league of Iranian clubs.
At the end of the 2021-2022 season, Payam Toos Khorasan's quota was sold to Kian Sam Babol with the decision of its ownership.

## Khorasan Derby

The Mashhad derby also known as the Khorasan derby is a local football derby match between the two most popular clubs from Mashhad: Aboomoslem and Payam. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s it was Iran's second most important derby after the Tehran derby. Nowadays it has lost its status to more popular derbies such as Esfahan derby, and the Ahvaz derby.

## Payam Football Academy

Payam Football Academy was established on 16 April 2010, commenced work in June 2010 with 16 trainers and executive personnel. Team's captain Younes Masoudi was CEO of Payam Football Academy from June 2010 until May 2010.

## Name history

The club has mostly been owned by Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. until 2007. However, throughout history, the team changed sponsors and thus was known by many names.
* Soltan Tabarsi (1976–1977) – founded by Ali Shadiyan of Tabarsi Street in Mashhad.
* Mokhaberat Mashhad (1977–1983) – owned by Javad Moradnejad & sponsored by Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
* Payam Mashhad (1983–1991) – in 1990/91 period Chelokabab Rezaei Restaurant was major sponsor.
* Payam Chin Chin Mashhad (1990–1991)- in 1990/91 period Chin Chin Company was major sponsor.
* Payam Azadegan Mashhad (1991–1992)
* Payam Gach Khorasan (1992–1996) – major sponsor was Khorasan Gypsum Ltd.
* Payam Moghavemat Mashhad (1996–1998) – major sponsor was Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
* Payam Mokhaberat Mashhad (1998–2000)
* Payam Peykan Mashhad (2000–2003) – major sponsor was Iran Khodro and club was managed by Paykan Tehran F.C.
* Payam Post Mashhad (2003–2005) – major sponsor was Iran Post
* Payam Ertebatat Mashhad (2005–2007)
* Payam Mi Si Noo (2007) – briefly from July to December 2007, Payam Soccer Team was owned by Mehregan Sharq Cultural and Sport Club.
* Payam Khorasan Razavi (2008–2010)
* Payam Imam Reza (2010–2012)
* Payam Vahdat Khorasan (2013–2016)
* Payam Toos Khorasan (2021–Present)

## Club stadium

Before the construction of Samen Al-Aeme Stadium, Payam played all of its matches at Takhti Stadium (Mashhad), which currently has a capacity of 15,000. They occasionally play big games at Samen Al-Aeme Stadium.

## Sponsors

Since establishment to present day, sponsors of the club have included Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Iran Khodro, Basij, Toos Gypsum Co, Iran Post, Dariush Grand Hotel, Chin Chin Company, Chelokabab Rezaei Restaurant and Tabarrok Rice.

## Head coaches

* Hashem Rahbardar (1976–77)
* Javad Moradnejad (1977–82)
* Khademolreza (1982–83)
* Javad Qorab (1983–84)
* Qasem Zardkanloo (1984–85)
* Hashem Rahbardar (1985)
* Qasem Zardkanloo (1985–86)
* Hashem Rahbardar (1986–1989)
* Qasem Zardkanloo (1990)
* Hashem Rahbardar (1990–91)
* Qasem Zardkanloo (1991–92)
* Hasan Ghasemi (1992–93)
* Seyed Mehdi Qiyassi (1993–94)
* Seyed Kazem Ghiyassian (1994–95)
* Mehdi Dinvarzadeh (1995–96)
* Majid Jalali (1996–98)
* Hossein Fekri (1998)
* Qasem Zardkanloo (1999)
* Akbar Misaghian (1999–02)
* Reza Vatankhah (2002–04)
* Nader Dastneshan (2004–05)
* Abbas Chamanyan (2005)
* Morteza Vahedolein
* Faraz Kamalvand (2005–06)
* Hashem Rahbardar (2006–07)
* Abbas Chamanyan (2007)
* Seyed Ali Hoseini (14 November 2007–10 December 07) (Caretaker)
* Ali Hanteh (11 December 2007-8 March 08)
* Hamed Khoshnevis (9 March 2008–21 June 08)
* Mojtaba Asghari (22 June 2008–12 December 08)
* Abbas Chamanyan (18 December 2008 – January 9)
* Rahim Tajik (January 2009 – February 9)
* Seyed Kazem Ghiyassian (February 2009 – May 9)
* Ali Hanteh (July 2009 – March 10)
* Davoud Mahabadi (March 2010 – June 10)
* Reza Sahebi (June 2010–22 July 10)
* Abbas Chamanyan (23 July 2010–20 February 11)
* ALi Kafi (20 February 2011 – 10 March 2011)
* Abbas Chamanian (11 March 2011 – June 2011)
* Reza Ahadi (19 June 2011 – July 2011)
* Abbas Dehghani (July 2011 – October 2011)
* Abbas Chamanian (November 2011) (Caretaker)
* Reza Sahebi (November 2011 – December 2011)
* Abbas Dehghani (January 2012–2013)
* Hashem Rahbardar (June 2013 – February 2014)
* Abbas Akbari (February 2014 – August 2014)
* Yousef Naderian (August 2014 –July 2015)
* Abbas Chamanian (July 2015–October 2015)
* Abbas Chamanian (October 2015–January 2016)
* Ali Bakhshi (January 2016-January 2017)
* Hamid Tahmasbi (January 2017)
* Mohammad Babaei (July 2021–January 2022)
* Hassan Sourouri (January 2022–April 2022)
* Abbas Sharif (April 2022–June 2022)
* Seyed Ali Hashemi (June 2024–present)

## Season-by-season

The table below chronicles the achievements of Payam Mashhad in various competitions since 1984.
| Season | Division | League | Position | Hazfi Cup |
| 1984–1985 | 2 | Mashhad Football League's 2nd Div. | 1st | Not held |
| 1985–1986 | 1 | Mashhad Football League | 3rd | Not held |
| 1986–1987 | 1 | Khorasan Football League | 1st | Not held |
| 1987–1988 | 1 | Khorasan Football League | 2nd | 1/16 Final |
| 1988–1989 | 1 | Khorasan Football League | 1st | 1/8 Final |
| 1989–1990 | 1 | Qods League | 9th | Second Round |
| 1990–91 | 2 | 2nd Division | 4th | |
| 1991–92 | 2 | 2nd Division | 7th | Not held |
| 1992–93 | 2 | 2nd Division | 11th | Not held |
| 1993–94 | 2 | 2nd Division | 4th | Second Round |
| 1994–95 | 1 | Azadegan League | 10th | First Round |
| 1995–96 | 2 | 2nd Division | 1st | Second Round |
| 1996–97 | 1 | Azadegan League | 7th | Second Round |
| 1997–98 | 1 | Azadegan League | 14th | Not held |
| 1998–99 | 2 | 2nd Division | 4th | Second Round |
| 1999-00 | 2 | 2nd Division | 7th | Third Round |
| 2000–01 | 2 | 2nd Division | 3rd | |
| 2001–02 | 2 | Azadegan League | 6th | Second Round |
| 2002–03 | 2 | Azadegan League | 4th | Second Round |
| 2003–04 | 2 | Azadegan League | 6th | Third Round |
| 2004–05 | 2 | Azadegan League | 2nd | First Round |
| 2005–06 | 2 | Azadegan League | 10th | Second Round |
| 2006–07 | 2 | Azadegan League | 9th | Third Round |
| 2007–08 | 2 | Azadegan League | 1st | 1/16 Final |
| 2008–09 | 1 | Persian Gulf Cup | 16th | 1/8 Final |
| 2009–10 | 2 | Azadegan League | 8th | Third Round |
| 2010–11 | 2 | Azadegan League | 13th | 1/16 Final |
| 2011–12 | 3 | 2nd Division | 13th | First Round |
| 2012–13 | 4 | 3rd Division | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2013–14 | 3 | 2nd Division | 8th | Did not enter |
| 2014–15 | 3 | 2nd Division | 6th | Fourth Round |
| 2015–16 | 3 | 2nd Division | 8th | Second Round |
| 2016–17 | 4 | 3rd Division | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2017–18 | 5 | Khorasan Football League | Absence | Absence |
| 2018–19 | 6 | Khorasan Football League's 2nd Div. | Absence | Absence |
| 2019–20 | 7 | Mashhad Football League | Absence | Absence |
| 2020–21 | 8 | Mashhad Football League's 2nd Div. | Absence | Absence |
| 2021–22 | 3 | 2nd Division | 9th | Second Round |

## Honours

* Mashhad Football League
    Runner-Up: 1985–86
* Khorasan Football League
    Champion: 1986–87, 1988–89, 1991–92
    Runner-Up: 1987–88
* 2nd Division
    Runner-Up: 1995–96
* Azadegan League
    Champion: 2007–08
    2nd Group B: 2004–05

## Players
### First-team squad

The composition of the team in the season 2021–22 Note: The flags represent the national team as defined by FIFA eligibility rules. Players may have more than one non-FIFA nationality.

### First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | IRN | Majid Aalaeinejad (Captain) |
| 2 | DF | IRN | Alireza Zaal |
| 3 | DF | IRN | Seyed Younes Alavi |
| 4 | DF | IRN | Mohammad Taghizadeh |
| 5 | DF | IRN | Saeed Asgharpour (3rd Captain) |
| 6 | MF | IRN | Sadegh Nikfar |
| 7 | MF | IRN | Mehdi Sahraei |
| 8 | MF | IRN | Mehdi Khaghani |
| 9 | FW | IRN | Reza Fateh |
| 10 | MF | IRN | Salar Afrasiabi (Vice Captain) |
| 11 | FW | IRN | Ehsan Mahroughi |
| 12 | MF | IRN | Omid Sedaghat$^{U21}$ |
| 13 | MF | IRN | Amir Mokhtari$^{U21}$ |
| 14 | MF | IRN | Younes Karimi$^{U23}$ |
| 15 | FW | IRN | Mehdi Daneshkhah$^{U21}$ |
| 16 | DF | IRN | Mohammadreza Aram$^{U21}$ |
| 17 | MF | IRN | Seyed Amir Moradi |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 18 | GK | IRN | Younes Namazi$^{U23}$ |
| 19 | DF | IRN | Reza Rahimi |
| 20 | MF | IRN | Mehdi Najafi$^{U23}$ |
| 21 | FW | IRN | Naser Torabi |
| 22 | GK | IRN | Seyed Ali Moosavi (4th Captain) |
| 23 | MF | IRN | AmirAli Alizadeh$^{U23}$ |
| 24 | FW | IRN | Ali Ghafarian$^{U21}$ |
| 25 | MF | IRN | Behnam Foroutan$^{U21}$ |
| 26 | MF | IRN | Soheil Rashidi$^{U19}$ |
| 27 | MF | IRN | Amirhossein Mahmoudi$^{U21}$ |
| 33 | FW | IRN | Hadi Kianpour$^{U23}$ |
| 72 | FW | IRN | Sadegh Hakimi |
| 73 | MF | IRN | Sasan Rajabzadeh |
| 77 | MF | IRN | Hamed Asadpour |
| 88 | MF | IRN | Amirhossein Talebnejad |
| 95 | FW | IRN | Sohrab Fakhrabadi |
| 99 | MF | IRN | Hossein Shaji$^{U23}$ |
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2021–22.

### Technical staff

| Position | Staff |
| Manager | Abbas Sharif |
| First-team coach | Rohollah Bahrami |
| Assistant coaches | Amir Kian Mohammadi |
| Fitness coach | Amin Ghelichi |
| Assistant Goalkeeping coach | Hossein Hooshyar |