Tractor S.C. facts for kids

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Tractor F.C.

Full name	Tractor Cultural Sports Club
Nickname(s)	The Red Wolves - Kızıl Kurtlar
Founded	1970; 55 years ago (1970)
Stadium	Yadegar-e Emam Stadium
Stadium capacity	66,833
Owner	Mohammad Reza Zonuzi
President	Saeid Mozaffarizadeh
Head coach	Dragan Skočić
League	Persian Gulf Pro League
2024–25	Persian Gulf Pro League, 1st of 16 (Champions)
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Tractor Cultural Sports Club, often called Tractor, is a professional football team from Iran. They are based in Tabriz, a city in East Azerbaijan Province. The team plays in the Persian Gulf Pro League, which is the top football league in Iran.

Tractor was started in 1970 by the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company. Since 1996, they have played their home games at the Sahand Stadium. This stadium can hold 66,833 people. Tractor holds a record for the highest average attendance for a promoted team in Iranian football, with about 57,000 fans per game in the 2009–10 season.

The club is owned by businessman Mohammad Reza Zonuzi since 2018. Tractor is one of the most successful clubs in Tabriz. They won the 2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League championship. They have also won the Hazfi Cup twice and the Azadegan League once. The team's main color is red, and their fans call them "The Red Wolves."

Team History

Tractor's team in 1974 before a match.

Tractor Sazi, as it was first known, began in 1969. It was supported by the Tractor Manufacturing Company in Tabriz.

Early Years and First Leagues

The team played in the Pasargad League for five years. In the 1975–76 season, they won the Pasargard League. This win helped them move up to the Takht Jamshid Cup, which was the top league at the time.

In their first season in the Takht Jamshid Cup (1975–76), they did not play well. They were sent back down to the Pasargard League after only one year. They also lost in the final of the first Hazfi Cup to Malavan.

After being relegated, Hossein Fekri stayed as the team's manager. He helped them return to the top league for the 1977–78 season. They finished that season in 5th place. The 1978–79 season was stopped early due to the Iranian Revolution. Tractor was in 8th place when the league ended. Their main rival back then was Machine Sazi, another team from Tabriz.

After the Revolution

In the 1980s, Iran's national football league was stopped because of the Iran–Iraq War. So, Tractor played in local leagues in Tabriz for many years. In the 1986–87 Qods League, a team made of players from Tractor and Machine Sazi reached the final but lost.

The 1990s

A coach from Romania, Vasile Godja, worked with Tractor's youth teams starting in 1986. He also worked at the Tractor Company. He found many talented young players who later played for Iran's national team. In 1990, he became the first team coach. He led the club to a third-place finish in the national competition in the 1992–93 season.

Under Godja's leadership, Tractor reached the Hazfi Cup final again in 1994. They lost to Bahman this time. In 1995, they won the MILLS International Cup in India. Godja left the team in 1997 after eight years. After he left, many of the team's best players moved to other clubs.

Iran Pro League Era

In 2001, the IRIFF created the Iran Pro League. This was a new professional league. In the first season (2001–02), Tractor finished last and was moved down to the Azadegan League.

Moving Down to Azadegan League

Tractor spent seven seasons in the Azadegan League, which is Iran's second division. They tried hard to get back to the Iran Pro League. In the 2006–07 season, Tractor made it to the promotion play-off but lost. Finally, after Faraz Kamalvand became manager in 2008, Tractor was promoted back to the Iran Pro League. This was their first time back in the top league in eight years.

Return to the Pro League

Tractor players in the 2019–20 season.

In the 2011–12 season, with Amir Ghalenoei as manager, Tractor finished second in the league. This earned them a spot in the 2013 AFC Champions League, a big Asian competition. They also qualified for the 2014 and 2015 tournaments. In July 2012, Toni Oliveira, a coach from Portugal, became the manager. He led the team to another second-place finish in the league.

Asian Champions League Matches

Toni, who helped Tractor win the 2013–14 Hazfi Cup and finish second in the league twice.

After some changes, Toni Oliveira returned as manager. He quickly led Tractor to win the Hazfi Cup in 2014. This win also gave them a spot in the 2015 AFC Champions League. They finished the 2013–14 league season in 6th place.

Tractor played in the AFC Champions League group stage in 2013, 2014, and 2015. They were eliminated in the group stage each time.

On May 15, 2015, Tractor played Naft Tehran in the final match of the season. The game was in Tabriz. Tractor drew the game 3–3. They thought this draw meant they had won the league title. However, another team, Sepahan, won their match, which meant Sepahan became the champions. Tractor finished as runners-up for the third time.

Celebration after a 2–0 win against Pakhtakor in a 2016 AFC Champions League group stage match.

In the middle of the 2015–16 season, Toni was replaced by Amir Ghalenoi again. On February 24, 2016, Tractor won their first match of the 2016 AFC Champions League 4–0 against Al Jazira. They won the return game 1–0. Tractor made it to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time on April 19, 2016, by beating Al-Hilal 2–0. They were eventually knocked out in the Round of 16 by Al Nasr.

In the 2016–17 season, Tractor reached the Hazfi Cup final but lost to Naft Tehran. In January 2017, FIFA, the world football body, suspended Tractor from signing new players for two transfer windows. This was because the club owed money to former players.

Fans

Fans before a Pro League match.

Tractor has many passionate fans. They are known for their strong support at games.

Official Team Song

Tractor has many popular songs, but 'Tiraxtur iftixarımız' ('Tractor is our pride') became the official team song in 2012.

• Songwriter: Ayyub Shahbazi
• Composer: Gholam Reza Mirzazadeh
• Arrangement: Mohammad Hossein Drablou
• Singer: Esfandiar Garabaghi

Team Crest

Since it was founded, the team has used a red crest. The club's name and founding date were written around the outside. The second crest was white until 2013, when the club changed its color to black.

Team Kits

Tractor has had different sponsors for their jerseys over the years. They were sponsored by Hamrah-e Aval for a long time. In July 2018, the club signed a contract with Merooj for their kits.

Media Coverage

Tractor's official matches in the Iran Pro League, Hazfi Cup, and AFC Champions League are shown on TV channels like Sahand TV, Varzesh, and Shoma. You can also watch games online on the club's official website and the TV channels' sites. Important matches are also broadcast on IRIB TV3, Jame Jam, and SAHAR TV.

Club Ownership

The Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company owned the club from its start in 1970. From 2011, the Kowsar Foundation owned 51% of the club, and the East-Azerbaijan Province owned 30%. The Kowsar Foundation is connected to the Sepah Pasdaran. This allowed players to complete their military service while playing. Since 2018, the club has been owned by Mohammad Reza Zonouzi, an Iranian businessman.

Team Rivals

Tractor has big rivalries with two other major Iranian football clubs: Esteghlal and Persepolis.

Persepolis–Tractor Rivalry

The rivalry between Persepolis and Tractor began in 2009. This was when Tractor returned to the top league after eight years, and their fans were very excited. Mustafa Denizli is one of Tractor's most popular coaches in this rivalry. In 2019, Tractor beat Persepolis for the first time in over five years, with Denizli as coach.

Esteghlal–Tractor Rivalry

This rivalry also started in 2009. Over the years, it has become one of the most important sports events in Iran. On May 10, 2015, Tractor defeated Esteghlal with four goals. On November 1, 2019, Esteghlal beat Tractor 4–2 at Yadegar-e Emam Stadium.

Machine Sazi–Tractor Rivalry

Tractor has a friendly relationship with Machine Sazi, another football club from Tabriz. In the 1970s, both teams often played each other in the Takht Jamshid Cup. They had some memorable games. After the Azadegan League was created, Machine Sazi and Tractor played twice in the 1996–97 season.

When Machine Sazi was promoted to the Iran Pro League in 2016, fans were excited for the first local derby games in seven years. However, by 2021, Machine Sazi faced financial problems and was close to closing down.

Clubs They Work With

Tractor has connections with other football clubs around the world:

• Rubin Kazan (Russia)
• Trabzonspor (Turkey)
• Sepahan (Iran)
• Sumgayit FK (Azerbaijan)

Stadiums

Sahand Stadium is Tractor's home ground.

Tractor played their home matches at the Bagh Shomal Stadium (Takhti Stadium) from 1979 to 1996. This stadium could hold 20,000 people. The Sahand Stadium (Yadegar-e Emam Stadium) replaced Bagh-e Shomal Stadium after it was finished in January 1996. Sahand Stadium is the second-largest stadium in Iran with 66,833 seats. It is part of the Tabriz Olympic Complex.

While Sahand Stadium was being renovated from 2005 to 2006, Bakeri Stadium was the team's home ground for Azadegan League matches. This stadium has a capacity of 10,000 seats.

Players

Current Team Squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Alireza Beiranvand 2 DF Mehdi Shiri 3 DF Shojae Khalilzadeh (captain) 4 DF Aleksandar Sedlar 5 MF Tibor Halilović 6 MF Mehdi Hosseini 7 MF Odiljon Hamrobekov 8 MF Igor Postonjski 9 FW Mehdi Torabi 10 MF Ricardo Alves (Vice Captain) 11 DF Danial Esmaeilifar 14 DF Milad Kor U23 17 DF Saeid KarimazarU25

No. Position Player 19 FW Tomislav Štrkalj 20 FW Mehdi HashemnejadU25 21 DF Sadegh Moharrami 22 DF Mohammad Naderi 25 FW Domagoj Drožđek 33 DF Farshad Faraji 37 FW Masoud Kazemayni 49 GK Adib ZareiU23 50 FW Mohammadmahdi Ghanbari 99 MF Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh FW Mehrdad Mohammadi DF Krešimir Krizmanić GK Luan Polli

• U21 = Under 21 year player. U23 = Under 23 year player. INJ = Out of main squad due to injury.

For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers summer 2024.

Reserve Team Players

No. Position Player 27 FW Amirali KhorramiU21 44 FW Erfan DarvishaaliU21 70 GK Erfan Najjari U23 72 FW Amin EimeryU21 77 DF Hojjat AhmadiU23 80 DF Shahin ShojaeiU23 82 MF Alireza SafariU23 83 GK Mani Sharifnejad U21 98 FW Amirreza JeddiU21

Players on Loan

No. Position Player MF Amirreza FirouzbakhtU23 (at Rakhsh Azarbaijan) DF Morteza JavaheriU23 (at Rakhsh Azarbaijan)

Recent Seasons

This table shows how Tractor has performed in different competitions.

Team Achievements

Tractor players celebrating winning the Hazfi Cup in 2014.

Official Titles

• Iran Pro League

• Winner (1): 2024–25
• Runner up (3): 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15
• Third Place (2): 1992–93, 2016–17

• Hazfi Cup

• Winner (2): 2013–14, 2019–20
• Runner up (3): 1975–76, 1994–95, 2016–17

• Iranian Super Cup

• Runner up (1): 2020

• Azadegan League (2nd Tier)

• Winner (1): 2008–09

• 2nd Division

• Winner (1): 1974–75
• Runner up (2): 1976–77, 1995–96

• East Azerbaijan Super Cup

• Winner (1): 1992

• Tabriz Football League

• Winner (1): 1984–85

• Tabriz Football League's 2nd Division

• Winner (1): 1981–82

Unofficial Titles

• DCM Trophy

• Winner (1): 1995–96

• Sardaran Shahid International Cup

• Winner (2): 1995, 1996

• Shohada Cup

• Winner (2): 2014, 2017

Team Personnel

Current Coaching Staff

Position	Staff
Head coach	Dragan Skočić
Assistant coaches	Luna Eslava Mohammad Nosrati Joaquín Gil
Goalkeeper coach	Emilio Álvarez
Fitness coach	Julio Luis Muñoz
Technical manager	Hossein Khatibi
Team manager	Kazem Mahmoodi

Management Team

Team Statistics

These are some general facts about Tractor's performance in different leagues and competitions.

* Tractor won first place in the 2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League.

Asian Competition Record

Tractor has played in the AFC Champions League, which is a major football competition for clubs in Asia.

Updated as of July 23, 2025

Legend: GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.

Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League
Season	Competition	Round	Rival	Home	Away	Agg.
2013	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group A)	Al-Jazira	3–1	0–2	–
			El Jaish	2–4	3–3
			Al-Shabab	0–1	0–1
2014	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group C)	Al-Ittihad	1–0	0–2	–
			Lekhwiya	0–1	0–0
			Al-Ain	2–2	1–3
2015	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group D)	Nasaf Qarshi	1–2	1–2	–
			Al-Ahli	1–0	2–3
			Al-Ahli	2–2	0–2
2016	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group C)	Al-Jazira	4–0	1–0	–
			Pakhtakor	2–0	0–1
			Al-Hilal	1–2	2–0
		Round of 16	Al-Nasr	3–1	1–4	4–5
2018	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group A)	Al-Jazira	1–1	0–0	–
			Al-Ahli	0–1	0–2
			Al-Gharafa	1–3	0–3
2021	AFC Champions League	Group stage (Group B)	Pakhtakor	0–0	3–3	–
			Sharjah	0–0	0–2
			Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	1–0	0–0
		Round of 16	Al-Nassr	0–1		-
2023-24	AFC Champions League	Play-off round	Sharjah	1–3		–
2024-25	AFC Champions League Two	Group stage (Group A)	Mohun Bagan SG	Withdrawn		–
			Ravshan Kulob	3–1	7–0
			Al-Wakrah	3–0	3–3
		Round of 16	Al-Khaldiya	2–1	3–3	5–4
		Quarterfinals	Al Taawoun	0–0	2–2	2–2 (2–4 p)

Top Goal Scorers in Asian Competitions

Rank	Player	Goals	Seasons
1	Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh	8	1
2	Mohammad Abbaszadeh	4	1
	Farzad Hatami	4	2
3	Geílson Soares	3	1
	Tomislav Štrkalj	3	1
	Bakhtiar Rahmani	3	1
4	Mehdi Seyed-Salehi	2	1
	Edinho	2	1
	Aloys Nong	2	1
	Augusto	2	1
	Farshad Ahmadzadeh	2	2
	Mohammad Iranpourian	2	4
4	Ashkan Dejagah	1	1
	Mehdi Tikdari	1	1
	Karim Ansarifard	1	1
	Saeed Daghighi	1	1
	Flávio Paixão	1	1
	Mehdi Sharifi	1	1
	Saeid Aghaei	1	1
	Shoja' Khalilzadeh	1	1
	Shahin Saghebi	1	2
	Javad Kazemian	1	2
	Masoud Ebrahimzadeh	1	2
	Milad Fakhreddini	1	3

Player Records

These lists show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Tractor. Mohammad Ebrahimi is the club's all-time top scorer with 34 goals and has played 216 games.

Mohammad Ebrahimi is one of the club's top goal scorers.

All-Time Top Scorers

#	Name	Nationality	Goals
1	Ahad Sheykhlari	Iran	111
2	Mohammad Ebrahimi	Iran	34
	Mohammad Abbaszadeh	Iran	34
4	Farzad Hatami	Iran	31
5	Edinho	Brazil	29
6	Mohammad Iranpourian	Iran	28
7	Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh	Iran	23
8	Flavio Lopes	Brazil	21
9	Mehdi Seyed-Salehi	Iran	19
10	Reza Asadi	Iran	18
11	Saman Nariman Jahan	Iran	17
12	Mehdi Hashemnejad	Iran	15

All-Time Top Appearances

#	Name	Nationality	Apps
1	Ahad Sheykhlari	Iran	452
2	Mehdi Kiani	Iran	296
3	Mohammad Ebrahimi	Iran	216
4	Mohammad Reza Akhbari	Iran	174
5	Mohammad Iranpourian	Iran	165
6	Masoud Ebrahimzadeh	Iran	159
7	Morteza Asadi	Iran	142
8	Mohammad Nosrati	Iran	123
9	Ehsan Haji Safi	Iran	117
10	Farzad Hatami	Iran	113
11	Ricardo Alves	Portugal	94

See also

In Spanish: Tractor Sazi FC para niños