# Gostaresh Foulad F.C.

Gostaresh Foulad Tabriz Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال گسترش فولاد تبریز, Bashgah-e Futbal-e Gâsteresh Fulâd Tebriz) was an Iranian football club based in Tabriz, Iran. The club was founded in 2008. They were promoted to Persian Gulf Pro League in the 2012–13 season. In 2018, the club's ownership was moved to Amir Hossein Alagheband and the club moved to Urmia.
Gostaresh Foolad also had a futsal team in the senior, under 22's, under 19's, under 17's, and under 15's levels.

## History
### Establishment

Formed in 2008, Gostaresh took over the licence of Niroye Zamini when they ran into financial difficulties. Gostaresh had played the previous season in Iran Football's 3rd Division, placing first overall.

### Azadegan League

While providing limited results in the club's inaugural season in the Azadegan League, Gostaresh found success in the Hazfi Cup.
The team reached the finals by securing a 2–0 victory over Persian Gulf Pro League side Zob Ahan The victory sealed Gostaresh a meeting with Asian powerhouse Persepolis in the Hazfi Cup final. Clearly outmatched, Gostaresh lost the home leg 1–0 from a goal by Persepolis forward Sheys Rezaei, who scored in the 12th minute. In the second leg at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, gostaresh lost 3–1 for a total aggregate loss of 4 goals to 1, giving Persepolis the Hazfi Cup.
In the 2011–2012 season Luka Bonacic took over the club's managerial role, at the end of the year Gostaresh was tied for second place and a shot at promotion, but goal difference dropped them to third, and hopes of promotion were destroyed on the final day.
The 2012–2013 season saw the introduction of Rasoul Khatibi, his tactics seemed to work and Gostaresh easily clinched automatic promotion to the Iran Pro League

### Persian Gulf Pro League

Gostaresh Foolad play in the 2013–14 Iran Pro League season. They lost in the round of 16 of the Hazfi Cup to Azadegan League side Sanat Naft Abadan. In their first year in the league, Gostaresh finished 10th.
After a bad start to the 2014–15 season Mehdi Tartar was fired as head coach of the club and replaced by Faraz Kamalvand, finishing in 11th place.
Under Faraz Kamalvand Gostaresh had one of their best ever seasons in the 2015–16 season, finishing in ninth place. The club finished a best ever 8th place in the 2016–17 season. However shortly after, Faraz Kamalvand resigned and signed with Sanat Naft Abadan.

## Stadium

Bonyan Diesel Stadium is Gostaresh Foolad's main stadium with the capacity of 12,000. The stadium and its complex includes two grass pitches.

## Kit

Since the club's establishment in 2008, the teams has worn an all blue home kit with an all white away kit, corresponding with the club's logo. From 2008 to 2014, Gostaresh's kit sponsor was German company Uhlsport who also supplied the Iran national football team and a large number of other Iranian clubs. Starting in the summer of 2014, the club switched to Spanish company Kelme. After only one season with Kelme, Gostaresh once again switched sponsors and chose Iranian based company Merooj.

## Season-by-season

The table below chronicles the achievements of Gostaresh Foolad F.C. in various competitions since 2009.
| Season | League | Position | Hazfi Cup | Notes |
| 2008–09 | 3rd Division | 1st | did not qualify | Promoted |
| 2009–10 | Azadegan League | 8th | Final | |
| 2010–11 | Azadegan League | 3rd | 3rd Round | |
| 2011–12 | Azadegan League | 9th | Round of 32 | |
| 2012–13 | Azadegan League | 1st | did not qualify | Promoted |
| 2013–14 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 10th | Round of 16 | |
| 2014–15 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 11th | Round of 16 | |
| 2015–16 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 9th | Round of 16 | |
| 2016–17 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 8th | Quarterfinals | |
| 2017–18 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 9th | Quarterfinals | |

## International friendlies

Since its establishment Gostaresh has played a number of European friendlies. Their biggest result came on 3 July 2016 after defeating Turkish runners up Fenerbahçe.
Win  Draw  Loss  Postponed

## Head coaches

| Manager | Years |
| Hossein Khatibi | Jan 2009 – Mar 2010 |
| Farhad Kazemi | Mar 2010 – Dec 2010 |
| Luka Bonačić | Dec 15, 2010 – Jun 25, 2011 |
| Engin Firat | Jul 1, 2011 – Sep 30, 2011 |
| Mohammad Hossein Ziaei | Oct 2011 – Feb 2012 |
| Hadi Bargizar | Feb 2012 – Jul 2012 |
| Rasoul Khatibi | Jul 1, 2012 – Jan 2, 2014 |
| Mehdi Tartar | Jan 2, 2014 – Oct 3, 2014 |
| Faraz Kamalvand | Oct 4, 2014 –May 4, 2017 |
| Luka Bonačić | May 10, 2017 –Sep 29, 2017 |
| Firouz Karimi | Sep 29, 2017 –Jul 1, 2018 |

## Achievements

* Hazfi Cup
** Runners-up (1): 2009–10
* Azadegan League
** Winner (1): 2012–13
* League 3
** Winner (1): 2008–09
* Persian Gulf Pro League
    Fair play Team of the Year: 2014–15

### Unofficial titles

* MDS Cup:
** Winners (1): 2016

## Asian clubs ranking

    As of 12 February 2017.
| Current Rank | Team |
| 81 | Gostaresh Foulad |
| 82 | Gwangju FC |
| 83 | Vegalta Sendai |
| 84 | Persib Bandung |
| 85 | Adelaide United |