PSMS Medan

Early years (1950–1954)

In March 1950, the Dutch military left Medan. Football organizations of the State of East Sumatra during the Dutch population, Rumah Susun Footbal Club (RSFC) and Oost Sumatra Voettbal Bond (OSVB), which had been founded since the early 1930s and then in 1950 changed their name to the Persatuan Sepakbola Medan dan Sekitarnya or were shortened to PSMS.

PSMS are a football club which originated and based in Makodam I/BB Jl. Gatot Subroto, Military base of North Sumatra.

The tobacco of Deli was chosen as the logo of the team as the base of the team, Medan, where was known worldwide because of its tobacco plantations. PSMS Medan are also known for their style of play called rap-rap, which is characterized by roughness, speedy and insistent football, but still uphold sportsmanship.

The Killer era (1954–1967)

PSMS glories eras occurred since 1954. At that time PSMS often invited and were invited by teams from overseas such as Grazer AK, Kowloon Motorbus (Hong Kong), Grasshopper, Star Soccerites (Singapore) and others. Thanks to the victories often tasted by PSMS against foreign teams, PSMS earned the nicknames the "Killers" or "Executioners" of the teams from abroad.

The existence of PSMS in the early days of their appearance were no doubt. PSMS often won against every domestic and foreign clubs matches. At that time PSMS dubbed with the nickname The Killer because they always beat his opponent on the field. At that time PSMS also consisted of the phenomenal players like Ramlan Yatim, Ramli Yatim, Buyung Bahrum, Cornelius Siahaan, Yusuf Siregar and others. Their dribble expertise made PSMS and North Sumatra often won several tournaments and sports leagues such as Pekan Olahraga Nasional and Perserikatan.

Perserikatan era (1967–1990)

Entering the 1960s, PSMS became a frightening specter for the clubs in Indonesia. They won Perserikatan title for the first time in the 1967 season after beating Persebaya Surabaya in the final.

PSMS are the Indonesian first club who have competed in the Asian Champion Club Tournament (now the AFC Champions League) in 1970. PSMS won fourth place in the semi-finals after defeated by Taj Club 2–0 and in the third place match was defeated by Homenetmen 1–0.

They retained the title in the 1969–1971 season after beating Persebaya again in the final. And with Persija Jakarta, they became joint champions in the 1973–1975 season due to excessive protests to the referee in the 40th minute that caused the match had to be stopped.

After 8 years without a title, finally PSMS ended their title drought in 1983 after in the final, they defeated Persib Bandung 3–2 in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 0–0). They returned to defend the title in the 1985 season when they defeated Persib 2–1 in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 2–2). The match was played at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, and was witnessed by 150.000 spectators of 110.000 seating capacity, which made a highest attendance record in the history of Indonesian football. According to the Asian Football Confederation book that published in 1987, this match was the biggest match in the history of amateur football in the world.

During this glories eras, PSMS were strengthened by many quality players such as Ipong Silalahi, Wibisono, Tumsila, Sarman Panggabean, Tumpak Sihite, Nobon Kayamuddin, Ruslan Ismail, Parlin Siagian, Sunardi A., Khaidar Aswan, M. Siddik, Ricky Yacobi, Yuswardi, Ronny Pasla, Iswadi Idris, Abdul Rahman Gurning, Anwar Ujang, Ponirin Meka, Jaya Hartono, Zulkarnaen Lubis, Soetjipto Soentoro and others.

The end of glories eras; Liga Indonesia era (1990–2001)

PSMS glories eras ended in the early 1990s. In the 1991–92 season, they became the runner-up when they lost to PSM Makassar 2–1 in the final. When the era of Perserikatan ended and turned into the Liga Indonesia, PSMS achievement was up and down. In the Liga Indonesia 1994-95 and 1995–96, they became the mid-table club. Even in the 1996–97 season, PSMS almost relegated to First Division. The situation improved when in 1997–98 season, they ranked 1st at the west division. But the competition was stopped due to the May 1998 riots which made the security condition in Indonesia was not conducive.

After the riots, Liga Indonesia was held again in the season 1998–99. In this season, PSMS managed to qualify for the semi-finals. In the semi-final, they lost against Persebaya 4–2 in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 1–1). In that game, PSMS wore their away costume. In the next season, they qualified for the last 8 and ranked 4th in Group A along with PSM, Pupuk Kaltim, and Persijatim. In the season 2001, they qualified to the semi-finals and would play against PSM. They lost 3–2 in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 2–2).

Relegation and promotion (2002–2003)

Although they became semi-finalist in the Liga Indonesia 2001, it did not guarantee the success of PSMS in the next season. After starting two games poorly, their poor form finally stopped when they played against Arema FC. They won 1–0, thanks to Suharyono goal in the 87th minute. After the game, poor form still haunted PSMS. Finally at the end of the season, they ranked 11th, which meant that they were relegated to First Division. This was the worst achievement in the history of the club.

PSMS rose above adversity. Playing in 2003 First Division, PSMS were in Group A along with Persiraja Banda Aceh, PSSB Bireun, Persikad Depok, PSBL Langsa, Perserang Serang, and PSBL Bandar Lampung. PSMS ranked 1st and made sure to qualify for the last eight. PSMS started the game in the last eight very well. Won 2–1 against Persela Lamongan in the first game, PSMS was losing 1–2 against Persiraja in the second game. The fierce competition ensued at the top of the league, and finally PSMS ranked 2nd and ensured their promotion to the Liga Indonesia along with Persebaya.

Ups and downs (2004–2008)

Upon returning to the Liga Indonesia 2004, PSMS performance was not very bad. They started the season poorly, PSMS finished the season by being in 7th position with 47 points, the result of 14 wins, 5 draws and 15 defeats.

Before entering the new season, they won the second edition of Bang Yos Gold Cup, a pre-season competition initiated by Sutiyoso, the governor of Jakarta at that time. In the final, they beat Geylang United 5–1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Entering the 2005 season, Liga Indonesia format changed from the format of one region into two regions (west and east). PSMS located in the western region along with their rivals, Persija and Persib. They started the season dramatically, by defeating PSPS Pekanbaru 3–2 in Teladan Stadium. Erratic performance made the competition with Persib to qualify for the round of eight. With the very fierce competition, PSMS finally qualified to the round of eight after being in 4th position, 4-point difference with Persib in 5th position. In the round of eight, PSMS were in Group B along with Persipura Jayapura, Persik Kediri, and Arema. In the first game, they played a goalless draw against Arema. Their hope to qualify for the finals came when they won 2–1 against Persik, but their hope vanished when they lost 1–0 to Persipura. They only qualified for the third place playoff against PSIS Semarang. In that game, they conceded first by Muhammad Ridwan goal in the 12th minute. Alcidio Fleitas equalized in the 21st minute. PSIS ensured their victory by Harri Salisburi goal in the 78th minute. PSIS won third place, while PSMS won fourth place.

Like the previous season, PSMS competed in the third edition of Bang Yos Gold Cup before entering the new season. They managed to retain the title they have won the previous edition, after their 2–1 win against Persik in the final. In 2006 season, their performance declined slightly than last season, because they were just in 5th position, 3-point difference with Persekabpas Pasuruan, which made them fail to qualify for the last 8. The competition of the fourth position in the western region between PSMS and Persekabpas was very dramatic. In the last game in the western region, PSMS lost against Persijap Jepara 0–1 at home, while Persekabpas won 3–2 against Sriwijaya FC. Persekabpas qualified for the last 8 as they were in 4th position in the western region.

PSMS tried to improve their performance in the 2007–08 season. With their successful to retain their title in the fourth edition of Bang Yos Gold Cup that made them the immortal owner of Bang Yos Gold Cup, they believed they could won their first title in Liga Indonesia since the era of Perserikatan ended. Their ambition was almost achieved after they were in 3rd position in the western region under Sriwijaya FC and Persija, who made them qualify for the last 8. In the last 8, they were in Group A along with Sriwijaya FC, Arema, and Persiwa Wamena. They managed to qualify for the semi-finals after they were in second place under Sriwijaya FC. They met Persipura in the semi-finals, and they qualified for the final as they won 4–5 in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 0–0). This was the PSMS first final match in the era of Liga Indonesia. In the final, they had to admit defeat on Sriwijaya FC 3–1.

Super League era (2008–2009)

Because the Football Association of Indonesia wanted to introduce the professionalism of Indonesian football competition by making Indonesia Super League as the highest competition, PSMS had to relocate to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium as their home since Teladan Stadium did not fulfill the criteria of professionalism which were created by the League Board of Indonesia. By the start of the 2008–09 season, PSMS were still haunted by internal polemics between the management team with the manager who raised the PSMS resignation news of Indonesian Super League 2008–09. Finally on 10 July 2008, the League Board of Indonesia decided to continue to include PSMS Medan to Indonesia Super League.

Entering the first season of the Indonesia Super League, PSMS were hit a lot of problems. Starting from the massive exodus of star players who came out because of unresolved salary issues, then Teladan Stadium did not pass the stratification of Indonesia Super League which makes PSMS must move their home base, until the problem of disunity in the body of the club. PSMS started the league very badly. Under the coaching of Iwan Setiawan, PSMS were struggling in the relegation zone along the half of the first round. Looking at these achievements, Iwan Setiawan eventually sacked and replaced by New Zealander coach Eric Williams. Conditions were never changed. Eric Williams could not lift PSMS into a better position, so that he also sacked at the end of the first round and was replaced by Brazilian coach Luciano Leandro. He was only able to be in PSMS for less than three months before he was sacked on 5 February 2009 following the poor results of the last two games.

Entering the second round of the league, major improvements were done. Among these are made the assistant coach Liestiadi as head coach in place of Luciano Leandro, and to move their home base from Siliwangi Stadium to Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium. PSMS gradually climbed out of the relegation zone. Even in the AFC Cup 2009, PSMS made a record as the first Indonesian football club who reached the last 16 after being the runner-up of Group F under South China, although they were later defeated by Chonburi FC 4–0 in the last 16. But unfortunately at the end of the league, PSMS were in 15th position which forced PSMS to play the promotion/relegation play-off against the fourth place of 2008–09 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Persebaya Surabaya.

PSMS were eventually relegated for the second time after 5–4 defeat in a penalty shootout (a.e.t 1–1) at Siliwangi Stadium. For the second time, PSMS had to accept the reality of relegation after finishing the previous season as a runner-up of league.

Dualism Era (2009–2015)

In 2011, PSMS are divided into two teams, one team led by Idris SE plays in the Indonesia Super League and the other team led by Freddy Hutabarat plays in the Indonesian Premier League.

Current (2015–present)

In 2015, PSMS ending their dualism and start their campaign by winning Kemerdekaan Cup and also participate in Indonesia Soccer Competition B.

Supporters

PSMS Medan now have three supporters group. They are KAMPAK FC, SMeCK Hooligan, and PSMS Medan Fans Club. They always enliven the stadium when PSMS are playing in the home and away. Sometimes they mock each other when PSMS Medan are playing at home, and even lead to fisticuffs. That is because of the difference between vision and mission of these three supporters groups. In addition, the hereditary grudge is also the reason why these three supporters groups taunt each other and often involve fisticuffs.

KAMPAK FC

KAMPAK FC (Kesatuan Anak Medan Pecinta Ayam Kinantan Fan Club) are a supporters group of PSMS Medan who were first established. They were founded on 14 February 2001. KAMPAK FC were founded by Dicky Anugerah and Riza Andriansyah, the students of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, majoring in Public Administration, University of North Sumatra. As of 2007, KAMPAK FC had about 5,000 sympathizers, which included approximately 2,000 sympathizers have been officially registered as a member.

Also in 2007, KAMPAK FC also founded an ultras group called Ultras 1950. This ultras group became the forerunner of PSMS Medan Fans Club.

SMeCK Hooligan

SMeCK (Supporter Medan Cinta Kinantan) Hooligan were established after two years of establishment of KAMPAK FC, precisely on 30 September 2003 as SMeCK FC. SMeCK were formed due to differences in vision and mission in KAMPAK FC which caused some members of KAMPAK FC resigned from the membership and form a new supporters group and called themselves as SMeCK FC.

Over time, SMeCK FC renamed SMeCK Mania until now changed again into SMeCK Hooligan. As of 2011, SMeCK have 7,866 members, which means SMeCK are the biggest supporters group of PSMS.

PSMS Medan Fans Club

PSMS Medan Fans Club were founded on 12 July 2008. The founders of this supporters group were members of Ultras 1950. They were a special supporters group of PSMS in 2008-09 Indonesia Super League. After PSMS were relegated, they became one of the PSMS' supporters groups besides SMeCK Hooligan and KAMPAK FC.

Current squad

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

National League

National Tournament

International

Performance in AFC competitions