Club Puebla
| File:PueblaFC2009.png | ||||
| Full name | Club de Futbol Puebla de La Franja | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Los Camoteros (The Sweet Potato Makers), La Franja (The Sash) | |||
| Founded | 1904[1] reform May 7, 1944 | |||
| Ground |
| |||
| Capacity | 42,684 | |||
| Manager |  José Luis Sánchez Solá | |||
| League | Primera División Mexicana | |||
| Apertura 2009 | 7th (league) | |||
|
| ||||
Puebla Futbol Club, also known as Los Camoteros (The Sweet Potato Makers) and La Franja (The Sash), is a professional Mexican football club based in the city of Puebla, Mexico, competing in Primera División. The team's white home jersey features its iconic blue sash, which crosses the chest diagonally from the right shoulder to the waist.
The team was formed as an amateur club in 1904 by Englishmen who integrated into the Mexican football league during the amateur era. In their professional infancy between 1944 and 1949 Puebla F.C. gained second, third and three fourth-place finishes in league play; in the 1944-45 season they won their first Copa México, thereby paving the road for one of the great football clubs in Mexico. During the 1953-54 season they managed their second Copa México title. Puebla took home their first league title in the 1982-83 season after defeating Guadalajara on penalty kicks. A third Copa México was accomplished after the 1987-88 season, and in the 1989-90 season they won both their fourth Copa México and their second league title after beating Universidad de Guadalajara. This feat (winning both the league and the Copa México championships) earned the team the right to be counted among the exclusive "Campeónísimo" club. In 1991, they defeated Police F.C. from Trinidad and Tobago for their first CONCACAF championship.
The team was relegated to Primera A at the end of the Clausura 2005. The team won the Apertura 2006 tournament in an exciting match against Salamanca. On May 26, 2007, Puebla won back the right to play in Mexico's premier league by defeating Dorados de Sinaloa in a packed Cuauhtémoc Stadium with more than 45,000 fans. Celebrations all around the city of Puebla ensued, reminding of the celebrations in 1983 and 1990 when the team won the league championship. Puebla eluded relegation again in the Clausura 2009, but the team went much further in the tournament than anybody anticipated; managing to reach the semifinal stage of the Liguilla where they performed admirably against the team that would be champion, U.N.A.M., which was able to reach the finals only because of their better position in the tournament standings.
Throughout more than sixty years of professional football, Puebla has counted on notable international players, mainly from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Uruguay and other locations in Africa and Europe.
Championships
- Primera División de México: 1982-83, 1989–90
- Runner up 1944-45, 1992–93
- Campeonato de Ascenso 1970, 2007
- Runner up 2005-2006,
- Primera División A Apertura 2005, Apertura 2006
- Copa México: 1945, 1953, 1988, 1990
- Runner up 1951-52, 1971–72
- Campeonisimo: 1990
- Runner up Campeón de Campeones:1945, 1953 y 1988
International
- CONCACAF Champions League: 1991
- Runner up Copa Interamericana: 1992
Friendly
- Copa Independencia: 2006
- Copa Heroica Puebla: 2008
- Copa Amistad: 2009
Runner up
- Trofeo Ciudad de Marbella 1981[2]
History
Early years
The club history dates back to 1904 when they were known as Puebla A.C., the club was founded two years after the first known league was established in Mexico, Puebla along with Reforma AC, C.F. Pachuca, Albinegros de Orizaba, Mexico Cricket Club and British Club were the first teams to play any sort of organized football competition in Mexico. In their first tournament in 1904 the club lost all games and didn't score a goal in the 8 games played. In 1905, the club struggled and managed to score its first and only goal in that tournament, finishing last with no wins, 1 draw and 7 losses, and 20 goals against. For the 1906-1907 season the club finished third with 3 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws for a total of 9 points with 8 goals scored and 6 against. After this season the club folded and the league would go down to 4 clubs, the club would not see action for 8 years until 1915[3] when the club reformed again this time by the Spaniards living in Puebla. Due to the lack of opponents, having only one with neighboring town San Martín Texmelucan, the club would be forced to go Orizaba, Veracruz to find competition where they participated for a few years In the old Liga Veracruzana de Futbol. The club would have to wait until 1944 when football had been professionalized to once again make its return.
Professional Debut
It all came to be on March 28, 1944, when Puebla was admitted to the Primera División de México, their home ground was Parque El Mirador—the first owners, Joaquín Díaz Loredo and Alfonso Sobero were important textile owners in the 1940s. The first official match took place on Sunday May 7, 1944, at 4 p.m. in Veracruz in the Copa México tournament. Veracruz gave Puebla their first lost in the professional era beating them 5-1. Puebla's first goal was scored by Lupe Velázquez in the 68th minute. Two weeks later at El Mirador the team played a friendly match against Atlante, losing 4-1. On July 4, 1944, Puebla obtained its first victory in El Mirador against Veracruz with a score of 3-4.
On August 20, 1944, Puebla played its first professional league match against Atlas, beating them 5-2. The Argentinean forward Eladio Vaschettpo scored Puebla's first goal in the professional league era. The first lost in the league was to Real Club España, losing 2-1 in Mexico City. In 24 games played in the 1944-45 league Puebla obtained 14 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses with 53 goals in favor and 30 against. That year Puebla was the league runner-up to Real Club España, but saved the season by winning the Copa México against América in a memorable match wining it 5-3. Ricardo Alvarez was the lead scorer, scoring 4 goals.
1945 Copa Mexico
In 1944 Puebla finished runner up in the league championship and many thought they had been better than the actual champions España. With a good league tournament played they also played the 1944 Copa Mexico in which they showed why they finished second in the league by crowing themselves champions that year. The tournament started when Puebla faced Orizaba beating them 6-0 in both games. Arturo Chávez scored 5 goals in both games and ended as the tournaments lead scorer with 15 goals. In the quarter-finals stage, Puebla faced Atlas de Guadalajara, a club that did not put up much of a fight and ended up losing 4-0. Arturo Chávez scored the 4 goals in that series. At semifinals Puebla faced one of the best clubs in that tournament, Oro. However, Puebla was playing better and defeated Oro 3-1 to advance to their first final ever.
At the final game on June 25, 1945, Puebla faced one of the most important clubs in Mexico America. Puebla came out in the first minute with the intention of winning the cup. They found themselves up 3-0 in the 26th minute, with 2 goals by Eladio Vaschetto and one from Arturo Chávez. America scored its first goal at the 43rd minute courtesy of Vial. The first half ended 3-1. In the second half, America came out to prove their status as an important club and went on the offense. With America looking for goals, Puebla found open spaces but they could not take advantage. In the 61st minute Manolo Alarcón scored a goal for America, and 3 minutes later Nicoluau scored another goal, and at the 69th minute Scarone scored yet another, reducing the deficit to a single goal. It seemed that America could achieve a historic comeback. But Puebla was a team with a lot of character and knew how to respond to America's 3 goals. In the 71 minute the legendary forward Miguel López scored for Puebla, giving them a comfortable 5-3 lead. Two minutes later Vial scored America's 4th goal bringing back the deficit to one goal. The last goal in the memorable final came in the 78 minute when Lupe Velázquez scored Puebla's 6th goal, which closed that spectacular game.
1953 Copa Mexico
During the 1952-1953 [4] season Don Joaquín Díaz once again was the owner of the club and with “El Gordo”, González Gatica, managed to obtain the club's second Copa Mexico, beating León in the final. That off season they reinforced the club by signing big name players such as "Chepe" Naranjo, Mota y Caserio. The club also played friendly games with European club FK Austria Wien and also big South American clubs. In the first game Puebla beat Leon 2-0. In the second game Puebla finished them of with a score of 2-1 for an aggregated score of 4-1. This way on May 31, 1953, Puebla was once again the Copa México champion. In the Campeón de Campeones puebla lost to the Tamaulipan club Jaibos Tampico Madero just like they had in 1944 The team's manager (coach) was the Spanish Isidro Langara. The 4 goals scored by Puebla were by Fernández, Cubero, Velázquez, and Cubero. The starting line up were González (goalkeeper), Rivas, Torres Ruiz (defender), Cárdenas, Iturbe (midfielder), Lupe Velázquez, Uceda, Del Toro, Fernández, Cubero (forwards).
In 1953 the club managed to obtain its second Copa Mexico title and the last title they would win for almost 30 years. After the 1955-1956 league tournament the club's then owner Manuel Hidalgo was abandoned by the other owners, and was not able to sustain to club. In 1956 he asked the Mexican federation if the club could take a year of to better the economic situation, which the federation denied. Hidalgo was told that if the club took time off, they would have to return in the second division. The club folded in 1956 not due to this situation but because of the loss of its stadium, the legendary Parque El Mirador, which burned down due to a torch that was thrown into the ramps, which at the time were made out of wood. The total losses were up to 300 thousand pesos, which took the club out of action for 8 years.
1960s
After numerous attempts to reform the stripe club, Manuel Sánchez Gomez, Leonardo Ortiz and Rafael Durá achieved this objective so Puebla could once again take part in professional football. In February 19, 1964[4] The federation allowed the club to take part of the 1964- 1965 second division league tournament. Donato Alonso was coach that squad and formed it with second division players, amateur Puebla players and veteran 1950s players. The first game was played in the estadio Ignacio Zaragoza against Ciudad Victoria which ended in a 2-2 draw Roberto Torres y Francisco Escamilla scored for Puebla. The first victory was against Texcoco with a score of 4-1 and the club would remain undefeated for the next 15 rounds, until they would fall 1-0 to Ciudad Victoria in Ciudad Victoria. Puebla would finish 6 in its first tormentor in second division
Puebla had to play 6 years in second division from 1964 to 1970. and it was until a promotional series between Unión de Curtidores, Club Deportivo Nacional and Naucalpan. Puebla won the 3 matches they play in Olímpico Universitario. the third and final match of the series was played against Naucalpán with a score of 1-0 that granted Puebla the promotion to play in first division, Gervasio Quiroz score the only goal in that game that. the other two games had a score of 2-2 against Unión de Curtidores , 1 – 0 against Naucalpan and a 1 – 0 Club Deportivo Nacional.
1970s
the first game played in first division after almost 20 years was against Club América, coach by Francisco González Gatica puebla felt 2-0 in the Estadio Azteca. The first draw was a 1-1 against pumas unam in c.u. there first victory was against Cruz Azul in Estadio Cuauhtémoc with a score of 2-0. edIn this tournament puebla obtain 11 victories, 10 draws and loss 13 finishing with 43 points ocuping the 11 position of 18 in the leagues competition. With 2 games left puebla was in serious trouble of being regulated so the club replace coach González Gatica for the Spanier Ángel Zubieta which he managed to win the last 2 games and maintain the category.
In the 1971/72[5] tournament the club finished 7 in the standings but failed to classify for the playoffs because Monterrey y Guadalajara finished with the same points but had a greater goal differential.
In the 1972/73 tournament the club started with a strong style of playing that had them in second place in the standings with 6 matches left in the tournament. But Puebla lost 5 of the last 6 games, finishing 10th overall and failed to qualify once again.
In the 1973/74 tournament Puebla finally managed to qualify for the quarterfinals, after finishing in 4th place overall with 13 victories, 14 draws and only 7 losses. In the quarters they faced Cruz Azul. The away game ended in a 1-1 draw, but in the second match Cruz Azul beat Puebla with a score of 6-1, which eliminated them. Cruz Azul went on to win the final against Atlético Español.
In the 1975/76 tournament had a string of 11 games without a victory and the Puebla players received 25 red cards, Puebla was in danger of being relegated or forced to play a relegation match. Puebla avoided that scenario by finishing 18th overall and leaving that scenario to Atlante and Potosi who was relegation.
In the 977/78 tournament Puebla once against had a terrible time and lost 20 games which once again put them in danger of relegation. But in the last round they managed to draw with Tigres in Monterrey and forced Atlas and Unión de Curtidores to contest relegation, with Unión de Curtidores who at the end was regulated to the second division.
In the 977/78 tournament Silvio Fogel was the clubs star player who scored 21 goals and help the club forget its relegation problems. Puebla finished 7th overall but failed to qualify for the playoffs, in the last round the club tied with América and combined with a win by Toluca, they missed the playoffs.
In the 79/80 tournament the club finished 13 overall with 11 victories and 16 losses. So came to an end a decade where the club played mostly to avoid being relegated.
1980s
In the 1980/81 tournament the club finished 12 overall and obtained 37 points by means of 12 victories, 13 draws and 13 losses. The club scored 37 goals that tournament. In this tournament the Brazilian player Muricy Ramalho joined the club and scored 7 goals, becoming a player that would go down in history with the club. In this tournament, the club used the city as its badge. Some of the notable players from that era were Moy Camacho, Hugo Fernandez, Luis Enrique Fernandez, Juan Alvarado, Muricy Ramalho, and Silvio Fogel.
In the 1981/82 tournament Puebla was placed in group 1, the club went on to finish 3[6] th with 41 points in 38 games played in which the club obtain 15 victories,11 draws and 12 losses. The club scored 58 goals, but with all this points gained the club still failed to qualify, finishing 10th in the league. Players that made up this squad were Moíses Camacho, Jesús Llangostera, Jesús Rico, Arturo Alvarez, Héctor Rosete, Miguel Angel Viveros, Fco. Thomsom, J. Benito Cucula, Carlos Gómez, Ignacio Ramirez (1 Goal), Juan Carlos Contreras, Jorge Saenz, Angel Ramos (2 goals), José Martínez Pirri (9 goals), Gustavo Béltran (5 goals), Juan Manuel Rangel, Eusebio Martínez, Juan Manuel Asensi 11 goals ,Juan Manuel Borbolla 7 goals,C. S. Idigoras 12 goals,Juan Alvarado 1 goal, Muricy Ramalho 11 goals and coached by Leonel Urbina.
1982 - 1983 Title
At the start of the 1982 league championship, very few people gave Puebla a chance of winning the championship. Destiny, however, would have it otherwise. With new coach Manuel Lapuente, who had played for Puebla for over five years and who now had the chance to manage the club. Lapuente qualified the club with a record of 15 victories, 15 draws, and 8 defeats, for a total of 45 points with 53 goals for and 39 against. In the playoff they faced three clubs from Jalisco.[7]
The first club was U.A.G. in the quarterfinals. In the first match Puebla was defeated 2-1 in a game played at Guadalajara. In the second game Puebla defeated U.A.G 5-1 for an aggregated score of 6-3. In the semifinals, they faced Universidad de Guadalajara. Puebla lost the first match played in Estadio Jalisco 1-0. In the second match Puebla was able to overcome the deficit and won 4-2 and advance with an aggregated score of 4-3. In the final Puebla was fortunate after the terrible fight in semifinals that América and Guadalajara had, leaving Guadalajara with a number of players suspended. In the first match Guadalajara defeated Puebla 2-1 in the Estadio Jalisco. In the second game played in a packed Estadio Cuauhtémoc, an own goal scored by Alberto Orozco sent the game into overtime and then to a penalty shootout. Luis Enrique Fernández scored the final penalty goal which gave Puebla its first league title in the professional era. The line up in that final game were Toño de la Torre, Sambueza, Orozco, Luis Enrique Fernandez, Pedro Soto, Raul Arias, Muricy, Angel Ramos, Arturo Alvarez, Estupiñan, Chaplin Ceballos.
Starting 11
The starting line up From The 1982-83 Champion squad along with stats.[8]
1988 Copa MexicoOn May 26, 1988 Emilio Maurer acquired the club and his first action was to substitute coach Luis Enrique Fernández by Hugo Fernández. Hugo led the team to the 1988 league quarterfinals but was eliminated by America with a score of 6-2. For the 1988 Copa Mexico, Puebla reinforced by signing Arturo Castañon, Wana Contreras, the Chilean defender Oscar Rojas and the forward Jorge Aravena. In the quarterfinals Puebla defeated Toluca in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc before more than 40 thousand fans in a night game that had not being played in Puebla for more than 3 years. In semifinals, Puebla defeated Monterrey to advance to their fifth Copa Mexico final, having won 2 and lost 2. In the final Puebla faced Cruz Azul. The first match ended with a 1-1 draw. Scoring for Puebla was the midfielder Marcelino Bernal, while Mojica scored the Cruz Azul goal. The second match ended with a 0-0 draw and Puebla was awarded the cup for the goal scored as visitant in the first match played in the Estadio Azul. Puebla staring line up were Aguilar (goalkeeper), Torres, Gamal, Roberto Ruiz Esparza, Amador (Rosete) (defender), Marcelino Bernal, Cosío, Bartolotta (midfielders), Paúl Moreno, Ramos (Omar Mendiburu), Gustavo Moscoso (forwards). 1990sCampeonismo 1989-90In 1989 Lapuente led the club to a third place finishing with 46 points by means of 17 victories, 12 draws and 9 losses, with 57 goals in favor and 42 against. In quarterfinals Puebla faced U.A.T.. The first game was won by U.A.T. by 3-1, while the second game was won by Puebla 3-1. In this way, the series ended even 4-4. However, Puebla advanced to quarterfinals because they had a better league standing than U.A.T. In semifinals Puebla faced U.N.A.M.. The first match finished tied 4-4. The second match was won by Puebla 4-2 in the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. In the final, Puebla faceed Universidad de Guadalajara. In the first match, Puebla defeated U. de Guadalajara 2-1 with goals by Jorge Aravena and Carlos Poblete, Octavio Mora scored U. de Guadalajara only goal. In the second game, played in Estadio Cuauhtémoc with an attendance of over 60,000 supporters, the stadium was full to over its capacity, stairs and hallways even in the roof people witness that game that set a record in attendance in a professional game ever played in the city of Puebla , Puebla defeated U. de Guadalajara 4-3 with goals by Javier "Chicharo" Hernández, two goals from Jorge Aravena and Carlos Poblete. The visiting club goaols were scored by Daniel Guzmán, Jorge Daválos and an own goal by Roberto Ruiz Esparza.[9] Also in the 1989-1990 league Puebla defeated Universidad de Guadalajara in the finales obtaining their second league title. On April 11, 1990 Puebla obtained the Copa Mexico[10] which would make them the 4th campeonisimo in history. Only 3 others clubs had won the league and the cup the same year: Club León in 1949, Guadalajara in 1963, and Cruz Azul in 1970. In that final Puebla faced U.A.N.L.. The first match was played in Monterrey in the Estadio Universitario and the game ended there with a score of 2-0 in Tigres favor. Goals were scored by Almirón and Gama. The second game was played in Puebla in a packed Estadio Cuauhtémoc. That game ended 4-1 in favor of Puebla. Puebla's goals were score by Edgardo Fuentes, Carlos Poblete, Jorge Aravena and Marcelino Bernal. Almirón scored U.A.N.L. only goal that day. Ppuebla line up were Aguilar (goalkeeper), Torres, Gamal, Ruiz Esparza, Amador (Rosete) (defenders), Bernal, Cosío, Bartolotta (midfielders), Paúl Moreno, Ramos (Mendiburu), Moscoso (forwards).The 1989-1990 squad is remembered as the best squad ever to wear Puebla FC slash and is remember by the sopports and media as the Campeonisimo. The starting line up included Pablo Larios as goalkeeper, Arturo Álvarez, Eduardo Fuentes, Roberto Ruiz Esparza, and Arturo "Mango" Orozco as defenders; Marcelino Bernal, José Manuel de la Torre, Jorge Aravena y Javier "Chícharo" Hernández as midfielders, and Carlos Poblete, along side with Julio Cesar Romero "Romerito as forwards With Manuel Lapuente as head coauch. pueblas sop porters also remember Emilio Maurer owner at that time as the best clubs president to had being in charge of the club. 1990 Copa MexicoIn the 1989-1990 league Puebla defeated Universidad de Guadalajara in the finales obtaining their second league title. On April 11, 1990 Puebla obtained the Copa Mexico[10] which would make them the 4th campeonisimo in history. Only 3 others clubs had won the league and the cup the same year: Club León in 1949, Guadalajara in 1963, and Cruz Azul in 1970. In that final Puebla faced U.A.N.L.. The first match was played in Monterrey in the Estadio Universitario and the game ended there with a score of 2-0 in Tigres favor. Goals were scored by Almirón and Gama. The second game was played in Puebla in a packed Estadio Cuauhtémoc. That game ended 4-1 in favor of Puebla. Puebla's goals were score by Edgardo Fuentes, Carlos Poblete, Jorge Aravena and Marcelino Bernal. Almirón scored U.A.N.L. only goal that day. Ppuebla line up were Aguilar (goalkeeper), Torres, Gamal, Ruiz Esparza, Amador (Rosete) (defenders), Bernal, Cosío, Bartolotta (midfielders), Paúl Moreno, Ramos (Mendiburu), Moscoso (forwards). The 1989-1990 squad is remembered as the best squad ever to wear Puebla FC slash and is remember by the sopports and media as the Campeonisimo. The starting line up included Pablo Larios as goalkeeper, Arturo Álvarez, Eduardo Fuentes, Roberto Ruiz Esparza, and Arturo "Mango" Orozco as defenders; Marcelino Bernal, José Manuel de la Torre, Jorge Aravena y Javier "Chícharo" Hernández as midfielders, and Carlos Poblete, along side with Julio Cesar Romero "Romerito as forwards With Manuel Lapuente as head coauch. pueblas sop porters also remember Emilio Maurer owner at that time as the best clubs president to had being in charge of the club. Difficult timesIn the 1991–1992 championship, Puebla managed to reach their fourth final in its history. Puebla lost that final against Leon in overtime with a score of 2-0. The 1992–1993[11] championship marked the start of a difficult period in the club. The tournament started with problems with the Mexican Federation. The owner, Emilio Maurer Espinoza, was accused of irregularities in his administration and was striped of the club and expelled from the league. That year Puebla finish 4th in group 2 with 43 points and didn't qualify. In the 1993-1994[11] championship. Puebla finished third in group one with 34 points. In the 1994-1995 championship Puebla, after an irregular tournament, finishing in 3[11] th in group 3 with 40 points and managed to qualify to a knockout series against Veracruz. Puebla defeated Veracruz 1-0, but they were eliminated in quarterfinals by América with an overall score of 4-2. In the 1995-1996 championship Puebla changed owners and the brothers Abed came to power. The new owners had no respect for the clubs history or tradition changing the club colors. That year was one of clubs worst tournaments in Puebla's history and they finished in last place with 28 points by means of 6 victories, 10 draws, and 18 losses with 29 goals for and 54 against. Short TournamentsIn 1997 Puebla welcomed the short tournament era in white an orange home kit, impulsed by the brothers Abed showing little interest in the clubs tradition. Nonetheless, that tournament was a success and qualified to the quarterfinals after getting 31 points in group 2. In quarterfinals Puebla eliminated Toluca by a score of 2-1. In semifinals, however, Pueblas was eliminated by Necaxa with an aggregated score of 7-2. In this tournament the Spanish Carlos Muñoz got the first scoring title in Puebla's history with 15 goals scored in 17 games. Carlos also holds the record of most goals scored in one game in the history of the short tournaments, scoring 4 goals against Tecos in 1996 and 4 goals against Morelia in 1998. After three years as owners of the club the brothers Abed dismantled the club and sold it to Francisco Bernad Cid who along with Francisco Regordosa made up the directors board. They brought back the traditional crest and colors. In that position the coach Raúl Cárdenas didn't ask for any players from the draft and brought five players from Yugoslavia which were a disappointment. This tournament was the worst in the clubs history, with only 9 points in 2 victories, 3 draws, and 12 losses, with 13 goals in favor and 41 against. The club's lead scorer was Aleksandar Janjic with a couple of goals. 1999 RelegationIn the Summer of 1999[12] the story wasn't different from the last years. Alfredo Tena took over as coach and brought some reinforcements as Martín Ubaldi, François Omam Biyik, Rubén Ruiz Díaz, and Miguel Pardeza. Puebla didn't improve and Tena was replace by José Mari Bakero as coach. The team played worse and in the last round they tied against Monterrey and were relegated to the second division for the second time since 1964 when the club was formed. The numbers were 3 victories, 4 ties and 10 losses with 15 goals for and 30 against for a total of 13 points. Unión de Curtidores purchase When everyone thought that Puebla would play in second division, during the league's draft it was announced the sell of León by Valente Aguirre to Francisco Bernat, who on June 21 announced that León was going to convert into Puebla F.C. Valente Aguirre said that there was no way Leon was moving out of Guanajuato. In response, Francisco Bernat said if we bought the club was to move it to Puebla, we're from Puebla and its our duty to our fans to have a club in first division... now, if they want the club to remain in Leon they'll have to pay us the 9 millions that we payed. That situation gave way to an uproar from the supporters of Leon who didn't want to the their disappearing. On June 23[13] it was announced that Puebla would remain in first division, also that Leon would remain in Leon by purchasing Unión de Curtidores, the other team based in Leon. Only the players changed team, Puebla took the players from Leon, and Leon took the players from Curtidores. The club which had being relegated would become BUAP. 2000sHowever, the 1999–2000 league tournament was another disappointment. Puebla obtained only 20 points in the Winter 1999 tournament and José Mari Bakero was replaced by Mario Carrillo as coach. In the Summer of 2000 Miguel Mejia Barón took over as head coach and the club qualified to quarterfinals after beating Atlas 5-1. In quarters the club was knock off and humiliated by Toluca with an aggregated score of 9-0. In the summer of 2001 Puebla[14] qualified to quarterfinals after beating Atlas 5-4 in a knockout series. In quarters they faced Tigres U.A.N.L., which they went on to eliminate with a score of 5-3. In semifinals they went up against the powerful Santos Laguna. The first match took place in Estadio Cuauhtémoc with an attendance of over 43 thousand Puebla supporters. The first goal was scored in the first minute from a pass from Alberto García Aspe to a wide open Pablo Caballero Cáceres. The second goal came just 2 minutes later from Claudio da Silva, who scored after a rebound shot from Capetillo. Everything would seem that this game was done for with a Puebla on the offense santos would likely receive the third goal before scoring their first, but in the 20th and 24 minute of play Jared scored 2 goals that would tied up the game. Hector Altamirano score in the 23rd minute of play to put santos ahead 3-2. But game was far from over in the 51st minute Claudio da Silva score his 2nd goal in the game from a corner kick which once again tied the score and in the 57th minute Alberto García Aspe score the 4th goal through a penalty shoot. Two minutes later Jared would score his 3rd goal and for the third time tie the game. When it seem it would end it a 4-4 draw, in the 87th minute Alberto García Aspe would score the goa of the night and gave Puebla a 5-4 win. The second match took place in the Estadio Corona, that polemic game would ended with a score of 2-1 that would send Santos Laguna to the finales due to their better position in the leagues standings. 2004 -2005 RelegationIn 2004[15] with 115 points in 110 matches in over 3 years the clubs percentage was 1.0454, last in the division which cause them their 2nd relegation in its history, the second in the last 6 years. This time money couldn't save the club from the secound division. In this occasion there were people held responsible. The Chilean striker Luis Ignacio Quinteros who missed 6 penalty shoots, Frankie Oviedo who missed 4 penalty shoots and Roberto Saporiti who coach the team. On April 30, 2004 Puebla officially was regulated when they lost a match against their archrival Veracruz, in a match Puebla lost 2-1 goals by Walter Jiménez and Lucas Ayala, the captain Oscar Mascorro scored Puebla's only goal that night. The numbers for that tournament were 16 points 4 wins,4 draws and 9 losses 19 goals in favor and 29 against the club's goal scorer was Luis Ignacio Quinteros who scored only 5. Puebla in Primera AAt the start of the primera A league tournament now known as the Liga de Ascenso, puebla once again took in a new directors board with the return of the controversial Emilio Maurer who named Jorge Aravena as head coach, who began the tournament by beating Lobos de la BUAP 4-1. The first goal scored in the primera A was David Rincón in the 37 minute, also scoring a fan favorite Eudalio Arriaga  who would leave the club the next year and 2 goals from Mario García. In that tournament the club would obtain 33 points and would finish 3 overall and faced Chivas Coras. Paul Moreno would take over as head coach after Jorge Aravena resigned. That series proof to be difficult when in both matches the scored would be a 3-3 draw with a last minute goal scored by Iñigo Rey advancing Puebla for better position in the tournament. In semifinals they would face Sonora who ones aging would eliminate by an overall tied scored of 2-2 and ones aging advancing for better position in the tournament. In the finales the club would face the lieder Cruz Azul Oaxaca the first match was on the 14 of December in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc were they drew a 1-1 tie with goals by Orlando Rincón in the 70 minute and Darío Gigena score Cruz Azul Oaxaca by way of penalty shoot in the 78 minute. The secound match was held in Oaxaca, the Argentine Alejandro De La Cruz Bentos score the only goal in the 72 minute giving Puebla the 2005 apertura primera A title.[16].Alejandro De La Cruz Bentos was the leagues lead scored scoring 11 goals in 24 games in the regular tournament and only one in the playoffs. The staring line up for puebla were Francisco Durán, Juan de la Barrera, Ricardo Jiménez, Oscar Mascorro, Luis Miguel Noriega, Sergio Pérez, Oscar Zea, Orlando Rincón, Julio Aguilar (Daniel Gil, 76), Alejandro de la Cruz (Mauricio Espinoza, 92) y Jorge Alberto Orozco Eudalio Arriaga, 57). DT. Paul Moreno. At the start of the clausura 2006 ones again Puebla fell victim to poor administration errors first by leading go of Eudalio Arriaga and bringing Leandro Alvez and Carlos María Morales and twice changing coach provocative the club to fall in last place with 14 points. When they played the promotion match they brought in Cesar Luis Menotti as head coach who took the club to Argentina for a short pre season action and later they would name Cesar Luis Menotti ass coach. With all this going on when they day came to face Querétaro the club was not at 100% and fell in the fisrt match 1-2 in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc and 3-0 in the Estadio La Corregidora. At the star of the 2006 apertura, once aging they had built a plan in order for the clubs promotion to the first division. The owners started of first by naming José Luis Sánchez Solá who was not known and by some was not accepted and criticiez harshly. José Luis Sánchez Solá had previously work with the clubs inferior division with players such as Juan Carlos García, Sergio Rosas, Sergio Pérez Rodrigo Salinas, Luis Miguel Noriega and the goalkeeper Jorge Villalpando who he brought up to the first team and were crucial players that year. He also brought in veteran player Álvaro González who went on to win to scoring titles in 2006 and 2007, he also brought in the unknown at the time, an amateur player Jorge Damián el ruso Zamogilny who quickly became a fan favorite. In the 3[17]. th rund of the tournoment the club defieded Tampico Madero 2-0 and snapped a 15 windless strike. The club qualified to the playoffs after finishing first in the first group with 33 points. In the playoff they faced Coatzacoalcos beating them 5-3.In semifinales they faced Cruz Azul Hidalgo which they ended up drawing a 2-2 tie which Puebla would advance for better position in the tournament. In the finale puebla would face Salamanca who was the leader in the tournament that year. In the first match would end up in a 1-1 drawe played in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc with a little over 40,000 Puebla supporters. In the second game the clubs would once againd tie now with a score of 2-2. That finale would be decided in a penelty shoot out which puebla would win after Jorge Zamogilny scored the fifth goald and Adrián Dominguez miss Salamanca fifth goal 2007 promotionIn the clasura 2007[18] the club had a better tournament that the previous finishing 1st place in group one with 36 points and once again Álvaro González winning the goal scoring title with 15. In quarterfinals they would face Pumas Morelos winning that series with a score of 4-3  advancing and facing Club León in semifinals. The first match was played in the Nou Camp in Guantanamo, with a score of 2-0 with Leon taking home advantage. The second match was played in Puebla in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc with over 45,000 puebla supporters, that gmae endad in a 3-3 in match that is still talk about today and that some speculate has started a riverbed between this to clubs. Puebla waited for the champion of the clausura 2007 that would be disputed by Club León and Dorados de Sinaloa. Dorados would be that champion 4-5 and so face Puebla in a promotional match to determent the club that would poe promoted to the first division. The first match was played in the Estadio Carlos González in Sinaloa, the game would fisnih in a 1-1 draw scoring for Puebla was the lead scoring champion Álvaro González and Carlos Casartelli for Dorados. The secound game was played on Sunday May 26, 2007 in a pack Estadio Cuauhtémoc with oiver 50'000 fans which the club later would be sited for being over capacity[19]. . Puebla defeated Dorados with a score of 3-2, Álvaro González scored 2 goals in the '8 and in the'45 Hugo Ruiz scored the secound in the '26. Scoring for Dorados were Mario Padilla and Lucas Silva. The promotion had finally come after 2 years of first division absence. Players that took part of this achievement in 2007 were Orlando Rincón, Sergio Pérez, Luis Miguel Noriega, Sergio Rosas, Jorge Villalpando, Álvaro González, Jorge Damián el ruso Zamogilny and the captain Joaquín Velázquez. In the 2007 apaertura[18] tournoment the club hosted club America in the first round after 2 years of absence. The club finished with 17 point by means of 4 wins ,5 draws and lost 8.The squad was mostly formed with player who obtain the promotion and was poorly reinforce with poor renforcement such asplayers Mateo Figoli and juan Quiroga. The staring line up were Lupe "La Pantera Rosa", Walter Vílchez, "El Ruso Zalmogilny",Quiroga, Adrian Sánchez, "El Bola", Velázquez, Noriega, Hugo Ruíz, Orlando Rincón, Mateo Figoli. At the end off the apertura 2007 puebla fc was once again involve in scandal when a Mexican newspaper company stated that the club had being sold to a Brazilian businessman Aurelio Almeida owner of the Brazilian club Real Brazil. A day after this came to surface owner Francisco Bernat held a conference were he stayted that the club had not being sold, claiming that his signature had being forge. After weeks of speculations it was on November 21 when it was decided that the contarc and signatures were not valid . Regulation Fight In the 2008 Clausura[20] the club made a complete reconstruction with 12 new players most from Chiapas players: Gilberto Mora, Melvin Brown, Felipe Ayala, Javier Cámpora andNicolas Olivera . It would seem that the club would not have any problem avoiding regulation but at mid tournament the club had fallen to the bottom and so manager José Luis Sánchez Solà "El Chelis" fired which sturup problems with the fans and the players .This outburst made the board of directors tot think twice about their decision .With the manager back the club when to play there direct opponent in regulation Tiburones Rojos in Veracruz in a game that Puebla won and got got the club closer to avoiding regulation. In the 16th round the club officially avoided regulation after Veracruz had lost to pumas unam. In the last game played in Puebla the club faced Atlante and drew a 2-2 tie which kept them out of the playoff that year. In the 2008 Apertura[21] the club played a terrible tournament reinforcing the club with players that never met the expectations, players such as Fabiano Pereira, Cesario Victorino, Omar Briseño, Oscar Zea and Eder Pacheco.They manage 15 points by means of 2 wins, 9 draws and 6 losses.Mario Carillo took over as coach after José Luis Sánchez Solá was led go, Horacio Peralta and Alvaro Fernandez were few of the players that manage to have a good tournament.In mid tournament Mario Carillo separated long time club players Álvaro Fabián González and Joaquín Velázquez from the club ,with the excuse of not attending a psychic reading by his personal psychic Mama Tona.At the end of the tournoment both Álvaro Fabián González and Joaquín Velázquez were release and weeks later Mario Carillo was replace once againg by José Luis Sánchez Solá. ContendersIn the clausura 2009[22] puebla statred out the off season by sinning veteran players Daniel Osorno and Duilio Davino along with fornen players Ramón Núñez and Alejandro Acosta .The club statred off the season by first falling 4-0 to Monterrey in monterrey which concenrn the fans and the owners.But the players quickly adapted to there new team-meets and went on to loss only one match in there next 10 matches.They finished the tournament with 26 points by means of 7 wins 6 draws 6 losses.The club qualified to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001 and faced Monterrey in there first match.Having Monterrey beat 4-0 in the first game off the tournament no one gave puebla a chance but in the first match Puebla surprised everyone by wining 3-1[23] goals by Gerardo Galindo 4' (own goal) , Alejandro Acosta in the 6' and Sergio Pérez in the 56' , Humberto Suazo scored Monterrey's only goal in the 48'. In the secound game held in the Estadio Tecnológico in Monterrey the clubs drew a 2-2 draw with a final score of 5-3 advancing Puebla to face Pumas in The semi finales.In the first game played in a jam pack Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Puebla fell 2-1 in a last minute goal scored by Marco Antonio Palacios.In the second game played in the Estadio Olímpico Universitario Puebla came out strong scoring the 2 goals that would advance them to the finales but in the minute 89' Darío Verón scored for Pumas.The gamee ended in a 2-1[24] victory for Puebla but the final score was a 3-3 draw which advance Pumas to finales were they would eventually defeated C.F. Pachuca. At the end of the tournament having finished 5th overall along with Monterrey both clubs qualified to the 2009 Copa Sudamericana.Short after the Mexican federation protest against the CONMEBOL after clubs C.D. Guadalajara and San Luis F.C. were being discriminated and about to be disqualified from the Copa Libertadores after the Swine flew had broken out in Mexico, claiming they were a health hazard to the rest of the clubs ,some clubs even refuse to play their games in Mexico.With this problem at hand the federation decide to pull out of all CONMEBOL tournament which were the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and the Copa America which Mexico had been a part of since the early 1990s.After both sides came to an agreement Mexico decided to return to the competition but this time the CONCACAF decided not to allow Mexico to take part of the Copa Sudamericana claiming that the Mexicans clubs should focus more in the CONCACAF Champions League which was its own domestic tournament.[25] In the Apertura 2009 [26] the club began the tournoment by singing players Jared Borgeti, Nicolás Martínez, Nicolás Vigneri , Carlos Ruíz Reyes and the ruturn of Joaquín Velázquez and Nicolás Olivera who had beein on a loan to Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz.The club quickly adapted with the new players and did not see a lost till the 10th round ,a controveresial game were puebla lost against monterrey due to bad calls and a disallowed goal that was proven to be legit.The club once again finished with 26 points by means of 6 wins 9 draws and 4 losses which qualified them to the quarterfinals.Cruz Azul was the opponent in that series and the first match was held in puebla where the game ended in a 4-4 draw with Puebla scoring 4 goals in the first have and Cruz Azul scoring 2 polemic goals which determine to be crucial in the up come of the series.The second match was held in the Estadio Azul , the game ended in a 3-2 victory for Cruz Azul were once again controversy accrued when cruz azul scored its first goal that was a clear offside,Cruz Azul advance and eventually made it to the final which they lost to Monterrey.And so it came to and end with Puebla having qualified to 2 consecutive playoff not since the 1991-1992 tournament . At the start of the 2010 year Puebla along with Club America, Monterrey, Jaguares de Chiapas, Estudiantes Tecos, Club Santos Laguna, Tigres de la UANL and Atlante F.C. played the 2010 InterLiga.Puebla finished first in group b with 2 wins no draws and 1 loss ,scored 6 goals and allowed 3 for a total of 6 points.The club qualified for the final in which they faced group A second place which was Estudiantes Tecos.That match took place on January 13 2010played in front of 27,000 in The Home Depot Center.Puebla's Alejandro Acosta scored the 1st goal in the 4th minute of play followed by Nicolás Olivera goal in the 47'.In the secound half Estudiantes Tecos scored 3 consecutive goals and so qualifying to the 2010 Copa Libertadores. In the Cluasura 2010 [27] the club Started of the preseason by singing players Marcelo Palau, Herculez Gomez and Alexandro Álvarez also bringing back players Álvaro Fabián González, Hiber Ruíz and Marco Capetillo who had not played since 2007.The club started the tournament bu losing 1-0 to Tigres de la UANL at home.The club won its sound game 3-2 against Estudiantes Tecos on the road.The club would not fair to good having the 2nd worst defense in the league but tied third for the best offense.finishing 13 overall with a record of 5 wins 4 draws losing 8 ,a scoring 28 goals allowing 31 for a total of 19 points.Herculez Gomez led the club as well as the league in goal score with 7.wining the goal scoring title along with Johan Fano and Javier Hernández Balcázar,not forgetting to mention that Herculez Gomez had scored its 10 goals in less minutes played that the other 2, scoring 6 of his goals coming in as a substituted. SupportersThe club has a fan base all over Mexico .In the United States the clubs supporters are spread around the country as well ,In New York lies a big community of Poblanos (people from the state of Puebla) and so the club plays yearly friendly games in New York Aganist MLS and other semi professional clubs.The oldest support club dates back to the early 70s stared by a local supported Pepe "El Guillo" who has being organizing for over 40 years trips to follow the club around Mexico.In 2001 local teenage supporter started a supporter club Los Malkriados who still to date support the club at every home game.In 2004 an support club was funded Legion Dragon[28] which is the biggest fan base with almost 2,000 members , and who follow the club everywhere the clubs plays national or international.Theirs is 4 none official supporting clubs , who refuse to merge over different views for rotting for the team which creates tension when they ever come into contact.From fighting to assaults most home games are under heavy security.The supporting clubs also have different revelry with other clubs supporting fans ,that when they do ever come i contact the members usually fight over the clubs honor which it represented with flags and sings that which they tray to steel from each which is seeing as a form as disrespect.In 2007 the Mexican federation banned flags,sings,instruments and so on from the stadiums in which in one way has brought down the violence and spark negotiation over a peace thready. BadgeThe first badge worn by the club did not portrait the clubs main colors blue and white nor the slash that runs from the left shoulder to the right waist, instead the club used the city's cost of arms.Which has the image of Puebla Cathedral surrounded by angels.With this badge the clubs obtain its first titles the Copa Mexico in 1945 and in 1953.The club used this logo from 1944- 71.In the mid 1970s the club changed its badge for the first , making the badge more detail adding color and for the first time adding the traditional sash.The club used this badge from 1974- 1980.In 1981 the club came out with a commemorative badge celebrating the 450 year of the city's foundation.In there 1982 championship year the club wore a simple badge which had a blue Football (ball) with the clubs name at the top and the country's name at the bottom, that was the only year the club would wear that badge.In 1983 the club wore the now traditional badge which has the clubs name with a sash running from left to right inside a blue shield designed.The club used this badge design from 1983-1994 adding a stars to represent the clubs leagues titles in 1982 and their second in 1990.In 1995 after the clubs change in ownership the new owners decide to change the clubs badge to a square design with a sash running from left to right,the top feature the clubs name at the time La Franja (The Sash) at the bottom feature a Football (ball).In the 1996 tournament the new owners The brothers Abed this time changed the clubs colors to orange and white ,keeping the badge design but changing the coleres from blue and white to orange and blue.In 1998 after the owner ship of the club change once more this time bought by Francisco Bernat , he decides to bring back the clubs colors as well as the badge worn in the 80s.Under the ownership of Francisco Bernat from 1998to the present day the clubs has worn various commemorative badges celebrating achievement and anniversaries the club has had. Kit evolution and rare kits
The kit represents the state and the city of Puebla, whose colors are blue and white. The first home kit used by the club was white with the blue sash crossing the chest from left to right. Through the years Puebla has had numerous colors, but they have always used the sash.
Official jersey
RivalriesPuebla has had a long standing rivalry with Veracruz. This rivalry dates back to the amateur era from the early 1930s, before both clubs had been admitted into the professional division in 1944. In all Puebla and Veracruz have played 68 official matches including league and Copa Mexico.Puebla has the best record with 30 wins 15 draws and 23 losses with 108 goals scored and has allowed 97.Jorge Comas has the most goals scored in this derby with 8 followed by Puebla's Silvio Fogeul with 7. Year by Year standingsAmateur Era
From 1904–07[1] After the 1906-07 season, Puebla A.C. folded and would be reform once aging in 1944 as Puebla F.C. First division
After the 1955-56 season, the Puebla F.C. folded, until the season 1964-65 when the team did a comeback in Second division. Second division
In 1970 the First Division was expanded from 16 to 18 teams; the Second Division champion Zacatepec was promoted and a playoff was held for the remaining place. The teams competing for the place were Nacional, Naucalpan, Puebla and Union de Curtidores. Puebla won the playoff and was promoted. First Division
This last total does not include the 92-93 season. Short Tournaments
Primera A
First Division
Clubs Records
All Time Top GoalscoarersSince 1950s, when Ricardo Alvarez scored his 86th and last goal with the club, no one else has accomplished this feat. It was on May 21, 1959 when Alvarez scored his last goals with Puebla before leaving the club to join Veracruz. Alvarez left a record of 86 goals in 125 games through a career that spanned 5 years. Half a century later, the name of "La Changa" Alvarez is still the best goal scorer ever in the history of Puebla F.C. in first division. Even with the clubs constancy in first division, playing a total of 54 championships, no other player has reached Alvarez's number of goals scored and only one player has obtained the league goal scoring title in 1996. It was the Spanish Carlos Muñoz who gave Puebla F.C. their only one goal scoring title in 1996 with 15 goals. Thanks to 4 good tournaments, Muñoz placed himself in the list of the best goal scorers in the club's history but still far from the 86 scored by Ricardo Alvarez. Two players were close to beat Alvarez's record: Silvio Fogel in The 1970s and Carlos Poblete in the 1980s. Silvio Fogel scored 84 goals and now is the scoring runner-up in Puebla's history. Carlos Poblete scored 83 and now is third place in the all time scoring list. Carlos Poblete is at the top of the list in goals scored in playoffs with 15 goals scored. Carlos and Silvio scored over 100 goals each one, but this was done playing with different clubs. And Ricardo Alvarez did the same scoring 113 goals in his career playing for Puebla F.C., Moctezuma, and Veracruz.
Goal scoring TitlesThe club has had only 4 goal scoring champions in their long history .
Notable Managers
Current rosterNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Reserves and youth team
On loanNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
2009 Coaching Staff
Puebla FC Women SquadPuebla FC also has a female squad that was formed in 2008[35] and plays in the Woman's professional Mexican first Division. The club had played in an amateur league in the state of Puebla until 2008 when the club was sponsored and joined the Woman's Professional Mexican First Division. The squad president is Angélica Nieto Ramírez. The club consists of native poblanas, girls that were born in Puebla. The club plays is the Grupo Occidente with clubs such as Palomas Jalisco, Oro, La Piedad, U. De Colima, Tepatitlán, Tepic, Puerto Vallarta, Querétaro, UASLP FCA, Chivas, U. de. G., and Morelia.
Current rosterNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable players
United States of America: Footnotes
External links |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
