Kapaz PFK

Soviet era (1959–1991)

Kapaz PFC was founded in 1959 as Toxucu and played in the Soviet First League. However, team promoted to Soviet Top League in 1968 after gaining first place in Soviet First League in previous season. The club also carried Taraggi and Toxucu names during its history, however became famous in modern period as Kapaz when renamed in 1982.

Post-Soviet era (1993–1999)

In 1991, club once again renamed to Kapaz after Azerbaijan's independence from Soviet Union and won Azerbaijan Premier League titles three times. In 1997, Kapaz were known for their unbeaten run as club's final record for the 1997–1998 league campaign stood at 22 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, out of 26 games total, an unbeaten run not matched in any single season by any team in an Azerbaijani league division.

Azerbaijan's longest league winning run belongs to Kapaz PFC.

Kapaz PFC remain the only team to win the league undefeated, and for ten months until 23 September 1998 opponents could not even take a point off them. It should be noted, though, that two of the 22 matches were technical victories awarded to Käpäz.

Financial struggles (2002–present)

Kapaz, one of the most prominent football clubs in Azerbaijan, entered financial difficulties during the late 2000s. Since 2002, club found themselves slipping further and further down the table, which influenced by financial difficulties. The financial collapse of Kapaz resulted in a great deal of discussion within Azerbaijani football. Major Azerbaijani companies, reportedly "concerned at the current uncertainty about the club's future and its backers" declined to provide Kapaz with the corporate banking facilities it needed.

In 2005, club's new owners decided to rename club into Ganja despite facing criticism from club's fans. In 2007, the club was excluded due to financial struggles from Azerbaijan Premier League. However, after AFFA's and local community's help, the club participated in Azerbaijan First Division 2009-10. In 2010 they became champions of Azerbaijan First Division 2009-10 finishing the season with 47 points and promoted to Azerbaijan Premier League. In 2011, it was decided that club's name will be changed to its old name Kapaz PFC.

In April 2013, Kapaz were relegated to the Azerbaijan First Division, by ending in 12th position in Azerbaijan Premier League, the club's lowest ever league finish. The club's financial situation didn't improve, which caused a lot of players to leave the club.

Supporters

The club have one of the biggest number of supporters population alongside Neftchi Baku and Khazar Lankaran in Azerbaijan. Kapaz PFC have highest average fan attendance at their home games among all Azerbaijani professional football clubs. According to the official statistics for the first half of 2015-16 season, Kapaz PFC ranked first in fan attendance at nearly 15,000 fans per home game almost triple that of their nearest rival.

2015-16 seasons’ attendance record was set in Ganja, as 20,400 Kapaz fans attended home game against Qarabag FC on February 14, 2016 The fanbase is large and generally loyal and like most major Azerbaijani football clubs, Kapaz have a number of domestic supporters' clubs, including the Khamsa Supporters Club, which works closely with the club and maintains a more independent line. The club's most popular celebrity supporters are the likes of Olympic wrestling champion Toghrul Asgarov.

Players

Azerbaijani teams are limited to nine players without Azerbaijani citizenship. The squad list includes only the principal nationality of each player; several non-European players on the squad have dual citizenship with an EU country.

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

For recent transfers, see winter 2016 transfers and summer 2016 transfers.

Managers in Soviet League

Managers in modern history

Honours

Regional