Payam Khorasan F.C.

Payam Khorasan Football Club () is an Iranian football club based in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan. They compete in the 3rd Division. The club is more commonly known as Payam Mashhad when it was based in Mashhad from 1976 to May 2011. The club was moved to Nishapur from May to November 2011, however due to lack of support in Nishapur, the club moved back to Mashhad. In April 2013 Ali Sheykh Eslami bought Payam Imam Reza Football Club and renamed the club "Payam Vahdat Khorasan Football Club".
History.
Establishment.
The club was established in 1976 by Ali Shadiyan under the name "Soltan Tabarsi" and participated in the city of Mashhad's youth football leagues. Sometime in 1977, the name of the club changed to Mokhaberat Mashhad when new owner Javad Moradnejad revealed Ministry of Post and Telecommunications as sponsor of the club. In 1983 the club was renamed to Payam.
Glory years.
In 1988, Payam became Khorasan Province Champions and thus made first appearance in Iran's top league Qods League. Payam then once again appeared in the top league for 1994/95.
After relegation in 1995, once again appeared in the top league and for first time ever two seasons back-to-back 1996/97 and 1997/98. Payam's team of 1996/97 is considered the golden team in Payam's history. In these years the team was coached by the great Majid Jalali and in addition to local star players such as Reza Sahebi, Majid Hosseinipour, Mehdi Vaezi, Ali Hanteh, several Iran national football team players and other star players featured for Payam including Nima Nakisa, Sattar Hamedani, Dariush Yazdani, Behzad Dadashzadeh, Shahram Baratpouri, Ali Chini and Ahmad Momenzadeh. However it got relegated at the end of 1997/98 season.
Iran Pro League.
The club was promoted to the Persian Gulf Cup for the 2008–09 season and had a difficult season where they changed chairmans three times and three coaches and had financial problems during the season. They finally lost the battle to their city rivals Aboomoslem and were relegated to the Azadegan League again.
Relocation to Nishapur.
Due to the club's financial crisis, the club was docked three points at the end of the 2010–11 Azadegan League season and thus was relegated to 2nd Division. Parliamentarians and industries in Nishapur had promised financial support and a strong fan base if the team moved. Mahmoud Safaei chairman of the club decided to move the club to Nishapur. This move which lasted only six months from May 2011 to November 2011 was a disaster as the team did not receive the promised support, thus Khorasan Razavi FA took over ownership of the club and returned the club back to Mashhad.
Bankruptcy.
In 2012, the club was unable to pay wages and had debts. The club's owner, Mahmoud Safaei, was able to raise some more money, but even this soon proved to be insufficient resources to sustain the club. Payam Mashhad were relegated to 3rd Division at the end of the 2011–12 season. This form of bankruptcy meant that the club was refused a place in 3rd Division for the 2012–13 season, and as a result effectively ceased to exist.
Refounded.
The club was re-established in August 2013 as Payam Vahdat Khorasan with shoe and leather entrepreneur Ali Sheykh Eslami as new owner and the club was admitted into Khorasan Football League, but when the 2012–13 season ended, Esteghlal Sari had given up from administrating a professional football club and Ali Sheykh Eslami bought Esteghlal Sari and Payam gained Sari's license in the 2nd Division.
Mashhad Derby.
The Mashhad derby also known as the Khorasan derby is a local football derby match between the two most popular clubs from Mashhad: Aboomoslem and Payam Mashhad. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s it was Iran's second most important derby after the Tehran derby. Nowadays it has lost its status to more popular derbies such as Esfahan derby, and the Ahvaz derby.
Payam Football Academy.
Payam Football Academy was established on 16 April 2010, commenced work in June 2010 with 16 trainers and executive personnel. Team's captain Younes Masoudi was CEO of Payam Football Academy from June 2010 until May 2010.
Name history.
The club has mostly been owned by Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. until 2007. However, throughout history, the team changed sponsors and thus was known by many names.
Club stadium.
Before the construction of Samen Al-Aeme Stadium, Payam Mashhad played all of its matches at Takhti Stadium (Mashhad), which currently has a capacity of 15,000. They occasionally play big games at Samen Al-Aeme Stadium.
Sponsors.
Since establishment to present day, sponsors of the club have included Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Iran Khodro, Basij, Toos Gypsum Co, Iran Post, Dariush Grand Hotel, Chin Chin Company, Chelokabab Rezaei Restaurant and Tabarrok Rice.
Season-by-season.
The table below chronicles the achievements of Payam Mashhad in various competitions since 1984.