Gostaresh Foulad F.C.

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 clubs 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 clubs 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 had a decent season, finishing 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 who saved Gostaresh from relegation, finishing in 11th place.

Under Faraz Kamalvand Gostaresh had their best ever season in the 2015–16 season, finishing in record ninth place. In the summer of 2016, Gostaresh signaled their big ambitions to Iranian football with several big purchases. Namely Brazilian goalkeeper Fernando de Jesus from champions Esteghlal Khuzestan and former national team player Mohammadreza Khalatbari.

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. The club aim's to get an A rating from the Asian Football Confederation regarding their stadium. Starting in the 2014–15 season the club will play its home games at Bonyan Diesel Stadium.

Kit

Since the clubs establishment in 2008, the teams has worn an all blue home kit with an all white away kit, corresponding with the clubs 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.

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

First Team Squad

As of June 9, 2016.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Achievements

Hazfi Cup

Runners-up (1): 2009–10

Azadegan League

Winner (1): 2012–13

3rd Division

Winner (1): 2008–09

Iran 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.