FC Zhemchuzhina Sochi

History

Zhemchuzhina Sochi was founded in 1991 and named after a hotel which was one of the founders. Zhemchuzhina is Russian for "a pearl". Zhemchuzhina spent one season in the Soviet Second League B (winning zonal tournament), but were entitled to enter Russian First Division in 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Zhemchuzhina won the tournament in their zone and were promoted to the Russian Top Division. They spent 7 seasons there, from 1993 to 1999. After another season in the First Division in 2000 Zhemchuzhina went straight down to the Second Division. The club was disbanded after the 2003 season due to financial problems.

In 2004 a new club, Sochi-04, was formed in place of Zhemchuzhina. The former head of Zhemchuzhina, Oleg Shinkaryov, became a chairman of Sochi-04.

Rebirth

In 2007, club was re-established under name "Zhemchuzhina-A". Arsen Naydyonov became manager and vice-president of club. "Zhemchuzhina-A" played in Amateur Football League South zone, the 4th highest-level in 2007. It finished 2nd this league and promoted to South Zone of Russian Second Division for 2008 season. In 2008 it was renamed to FC Zhemchuzhina-Sochi. It promoted to the Russian First Division the 2010 season as champions of South Zone after 9 seasons of absence.

In August 2011 the team withdrew from Russian First Division (FNL).

Reserve squad

Zhemchuzhina's reserve squad played professionally as FC Zhemchuzhina-d Sochi (Russian Third League in 1995-1997) and FC Zhemchuzhina-2 Sochi (Russian Second Division in 1998-1999). In 1992-1993 the reserves team was based in Adler and played under the name of FC Torpedo Adler.

Another farm club called FC Dynamo-Zhemchuzhina-2 Sochi played professionally in Russian Third League in 1996 and Russian Second League in 1997.

Notable players

Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for Zhemchuzhina.