Panther FC

Panther Club
Full namePanther Football Club
Founded2004; 21 years ago (2004)
StadiumPanther Ground, Faisalabad

Panther Football Club is a Pakistani football club based in Faisalabad, Punjab. The club was one of the founding members of the Pakistan Premier League, established in 2004. The club also contained youth teams.[1] It has produced notable players, such as Samar Ishaq, a former captain of the Pakistan national team.[2][3][4] The club competes at the Panther Ground in Chak 41-JB in Satiana, Faisalabad.[5][6]

History

In 2004, Panther Club became one of the founding members of the Pakistan Premier League, making its professional debut in the 2004–05 Pakistan Premier League, finishing the season in relegation zone at 11th position with 30 points, but avoiding relegation due to Allied Bank, which had finished in 8th position, dissolving their team at the end of the season.[7][8]

The team got relegated in the following season, finishing 11th again, with 20 points.[9][10] The team participated in the 2005 National Challenge Cup,[11] finishing first in group C, which also comprised Railways, Wohaib and City FC from Lahore.[9] In the second stage, the club finished last behind KRL, WAPDA, KESC, Navy and Police.[9][12]

In the 2006 PFF National League, the club failed to qualify for the second stage where it was grouped with Pakistan Television, HEC, and Dera XI.[13] In the next 2007–08 PFF League, the club finished 4th in the group A comprising seven teams, failing to qualify for the next stage.[14]

Rivalry

Panther Club had a rivalry with Lahore club Wohaib. During the 2005–06 season, match referee Abdul Jabbar was manhandled by angered Wohaib club players after he gave a goal to Panthers Club in the 87th minute. Under pressure, the referee reversed the decision and disallowed the goal but was beaten again by spectators.[15] The first leg of the season saw Wohaib winning by 3–1.[16] On 19 October 2005, Panther recorded a crucial win against Wohaib in the relegation battle by a lone goal.[16]

Competitive record

The club's competitive records since the 2004–05 season are listed below.

Season Div Tms Pos National Challenge Cup AFC President's Cup AFC Cup
2004–05 Pakistan Premier League 16 11 DNP DNP DNP
2005–06 Pakistan Premier League 12 11 Second stage DNP DNP
2007–08 Football Federation League 13 Group stage DNP DNP DNP

Notable players

The players below had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Panther Club.

References

  1. ^ "Muzaffar helps NA beat Faisalabad". DAWN.COM. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Football squad for Dhaka". DAWN.COM. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Zeshan back for AFC Cup". DAWN.COM. 16 March 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ "SOCCER: Panther Club face PWD today". DAWN.COM. 12 August 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. ^ "NBP lose priceless point, draw 0-0 with Railways". DAWN.COM. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Challenge Cup soccer". DAWN.COM. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Pakistan 2004". www.rsssf.org.
  8. ^ "Twelve teams to compete in National League". DAWN.COM. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Pakistan 2005". www.rsssf.org.
  10. ^ "Soccer: Wapda regain top spot". DAWN.COM. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Challenge Cup kicks off on June 1". DAWN.COM. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Panther Club grab spot in final stage". DAWN.COM. 15 July 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Pakistan 2006/07". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Pakistan 2007/08". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  15. ^ "PFF president to meet Bahrain's top sports official". DAWN.COM. 2 October 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Crucial win for Panthers". DAWN.COM. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
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